tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26251192890413010402024-03-05T14:09:42.563-06:00Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life...Posts Sharing Examples of How the Bible is Still Relevant in Our Lives Today! (I'm Empowering Readers to click on the two links on the right to the whole book for free or to click on the posts that best suit their needs!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-39351731795518315792020-03-26T20:10:00.004-05:002023-12-14T17:40:12.258-06:00Enough Is Enough-This Post Has Been Requested 140,975 Times on This Blog<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>And they came to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And He taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark, Chapter 11, verses 15-17.</strong></i><br />
<i><strong><br /></strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b>I think this passage shows a time where even Jesus says through His actions, “Enough Is Enough!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really got me thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally, I hide behind my Christian faith to justify my passive interactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this instance, Jesus didn’t handle the situation in a passive manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It leads me to believe there are times that stronger actions are needed to get the point across!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything less, would be condoning the inappropriate behavior or situation.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b>This reminds me of a Cultural Diversity training my husband arranged for co-workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were talking about being in a situation where someone is putting down others whether for racial, gender, sexual reasons or otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said to just stand there and not say anything is the same as participating in the put-downs, because our lack of action condones that behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said people should actually take a stand and tell the ones making the rude comments that we find them objectionable and would prefer that they discontinue them immediately.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b>Now, the passive side of me that doesn’t want to stand out in a crowd has to come to terms with this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only am I drawing attention to myself, I am also risking the possibility that someone may get angry with me or disapprove of my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus took an active stand on an important issue and I think that I need to work on being able to confront people who are belittling others, despite my insecurities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus didn’t stop and think, “Now, if I tell them to quit selling all their wares in the church, they may be angry with Me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I shouldn’t risk this because they might not like Me anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took action because He knew it was wrong!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to take action because I know belittling others is wrong!</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong>Here are some related passages:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong>*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shalt be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 12-13.</i></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>*<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">And He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke, Chapter 19, verses 45-46.</span></strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong>*<i>And the Jew’s passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise. And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up. John, Chapter 2, verses 13-17.</i></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong><i><br /></i></strong></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: lime;"><b>I Decided to put the Whole Copy of Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life On- Line in 2 Links on the Right Side, So You Can Get It For Free and Read it Right on Your Device. During This Time, We All Need to Connect to Our Faith in Christ. These Examples of How I Relate the Bible to My Life, May Help You Better Relate to the Bible in a Way That Is Personal to You.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: lime;">Additionally, there are Links to Individual Posts from the Book in the Four Columns. Forgive Me if There Are Any Duplicates Posts. I Wanted to Get This Out There Immediately!</span></b></div>
<b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/">A Christian Caregiver</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://itsnotcool2bully.blogspot.com/">It's Not Cool 2 Bully!</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://biblicalproof.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Biblical Proof!</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://sharethejoyblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Share the Joy Blog!</span></a></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ's Grace Abounds</span></a></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://creation-matters.blogspot.com/">Creation: What's It Matter?</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://jesusissonofgod.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Know Jesus Is God's Son</span></a></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://free2sharevbs.blogspot.com/">Free 2 Share VBS (Free VBS Curriculum)</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter?</span></a></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support Links</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatdoyouractionssay2jesus.blogspot.com/">Jesus Calls, But Do Your Actions Say You Don't Desire Him?</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<b><br /></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><a href="https://videoanswersaboutgod.blogspot.com/">Video Answers About God, Jesus, Creation, Disaster, Etc. via You Tube</a></u></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-28262960747015598982020-03-26T15:41:00.002-05:002023-02-08T17:36:13.013-06:00The rest of Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life for Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The rest of Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, to Connect with the Bible and Our Savior in a Personal Way!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Hear another
parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged
it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out
to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew
near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the
fruits of it. And the husbandmen took
his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the
first: and they did unto them likewise.
But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying They will reverence my
son. But when the husbandmen saw the
son, they said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and
let us seize on his inheritance. And
they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard
cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
They say unto Him, he will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will
let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits
in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them,
Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected the
same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing and it is
marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I
unto you, The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> shall be taken
from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whomsoever shall fall on this stone shall
be broken: but on whosoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 33-44.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And He began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an
hedge about it, and digged a place for the winevat, and built a tower, and let
it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to
the husbandmen a servant that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit
of the vineyard. And they caught him,
and beat him, and sent him away empty.
And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast
stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they
killed, and many others; beating some and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his well
beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my
son. But those husbandmen said among
themselves, This is the heir; come let us kill him, and the inheritance shall
be ours. And they took him, and killed
him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and
destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>Mark, Chapter 12, verses 1-9.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which
should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His Words, that
so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked Him, saying, Master, we know
that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of
any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute
unto Caesar, or no? But He perceived
their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye Me? Show Me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? And He said unto them, Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be
God’s. And they could not take hold of
His Words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their
peace. Luke, Chapter 20, verses 20-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I keep having problems with this one. I’ve sold several different products in
side-line businesses for the sole purpose of trying to give Caesar a little
less of what seems mine. (Now there is
nothing wrong with having a side-line business or selling things to gain a
profit. My goal was distinctly motivated
toward being able to legally keep more of my money, although I did everything
in my power to do it legally.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Writing this book has made me more aware of my
motives. I have given up the side-line
businesses, since my motives weren’t in-line with what God would want me to
do. I keep letting worldly things sneak
in and put a wedge in my relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I guess I have two options when God makes me aware
of these things. I can try to ignore
them and pretend that I have blinders on and don’t really understand what He is
showing me, or I can make the changes necessary to be in-line with what God
wants. In order to do that, I am
donating the profits I get from this book to a non-profit organization or a
charitable cause. Money wasn’t the
reason I wrote this. I felt strongly led
to share these insights with you, with the desire that you would better
understand the positive influence the Bible can have in your daily life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related
passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they send unto Him certain of the Pharisees and
of the Herodians, to catch Him in His Words.
And when they were come, they say unto Him, Master, we know that Thou
art True, and carest for no man, for Thou regardest not the person of men, but
teachest the way of God in Truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or
not? Shall we give, or shall we not
give? But He, knowing their hypocrisy,
said unto them, Why tempt ye Me? bring
Me a penny, that I may see it. And they
brought it. And He saith unto them,
Whose is this image and superscription?
And they said unto Him, Caesar’s.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at Him. Mark, Chapter 12, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And when they
were come to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>,
they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master
pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus
prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom
or tribute? Of their own children, or of
strangers? Peter saith unto Him, Of
strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are
the children free. Notwithstanding, lest
we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the
fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find
a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and thee. Matthew, Chapter 17, verses 24-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Tell us
therefore, What thinkest Thou? Is it
lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye
hypocrites? Show Me the tribute
money. And they brought unto Him a
penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is
this image and superscription? They say
unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto
them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God
the things that are God’s. When they had
heard these Words, they marveled, and left Him, and went their way. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 17-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then in the audience of all the people He said unto
His disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and
love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the
chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long
prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke, Chapter 20, verses 45-47.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of old westerns I used to watch on
TV. It would show the banker (not to
imply this is the way bankers are or this behavior is limited only to
bankers.) He would appear nice enough,
saying hi to the husband, tip his hat to the wife and did “coochie coos” to her
baby. This banker is a good upstanding
churchgoer. He appears to be the pillar
of society, a role model to others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then as the plot thickens, the banker and his
cohorts try to squeeze the farmer and his family off their land. He secretly knows there is a lot of profit to
be gained by that particular piece of property.
The husband dies in a freak accident which is highly suspicious. Then the banker comes to give the grieving
wife his condolences and tell her how sorry he is about her loss. He says that out of the goodness of his
heart, he will give the wife an extra month’s extension on paying what is owed
on the property before he forecloses on their mortgage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The rest of the movie is dedicated to showing how
the banker and his cohorts try to make it difficult for her, and those that
befriend her, to pay the money owed. Of
course, in the movie, good wins out over evil and the lady and her baby get to
stay in their home. But, in real life;
that doesn’t always happen. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are some who are very cunning and would have
no remorse for evicting the widow and her child from their home, because they
are within their rights as far as the law goes.
These people would continue to go to church without a guilty conscience,
because they have rationalized their actions.
The thing is…God knows what they do and no amount of rationalization is
going to cut it with God for those who take advantage of widows and orphans!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For
ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye
shall receive the greater damnation.
Matthew, Chapter 23, verse 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Woe unto them
that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have
prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right
from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may
rob the fatherless! And what will ye do
in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to
whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory? Without Me they
shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this His anger is not turned away,
but His Hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah, Chapter 10, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And her prophets have daubed them with
untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them saying, Thus
saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken. The people of the land have used oppression,
and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have
oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
Ezekiel, Chapter 22, verses 28-29.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the
twelve apostles with Him. And He said
unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I
suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be
fulfilled in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and
said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not
drink of the fruit of the vine, until the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
shall come. And He took Bread, and gave
thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My Body which is
given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
Likewise also the Cup after supper, saying, This Cup is the New
Testament in My Blood which is shed for you.
Luke, Chapter 22, verses 14-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These words are very significant to me each time I
prepare to have Communion. They remind
me of how Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him and He still went through
it anyway…for me. He gave His life for
me, even though I get self-righteous at times and puff up my ego…For me, even
though I can get cranky with my family, especially when my blood sugar is
low…For me, even though I look at the angles to see how I can keep more of the
money I think I deserve rather than giving it to Uncle Sam…For me, even though
I have a difficult time giving up control and trusting God to take care of
me…For me, even though I have some hateful, jealous thoughts in my mind, at
times. I could go on, but you get the
picture. I’m a very sinful human being
and Jesus gave His life for me…and He gave it for you, too!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And as they
were eating, Jesus took Bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the
disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the Cup, and gave thanks, and
gave it to them, saying Drink ye all of it.
For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins. But I say unto you, I
will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I
drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.
Matthew, Chapter 26, verses 26-29.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is
with Me on the table. And truly the Son
of Man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is
betrayed! Luke, Chapter 22, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I remember times in high school when I thought
people were talking about me when they looked in my general direction. They might not have been doing anything at
all. I was just very self-conscious, as
are many teenagers at that age. I had a
difficult time associating with those people that I thought were disloyal to
me, whether it was real or just perceived.
It amazes me how Jesus didn’t just think someone was going to betray
Him, He knew it! He didn’t avoid the
whole situation, as I would have. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He continued to associate
with the person that was going to betray Him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What love He had to have for us to bear these
interactions, even when He knew the very people He loved were going to be
disloyal to Him. It’s difficult for me
to comprehend such a truly selfless love for others. I’m so very fortunate Jesus is my Lord and
Savior!<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren. And he said unto Him, Lord, I
am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death. And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock
shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest
Me. Luke, Chapter 22, verses 31-34.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>(I’ve skipped some verses that I will come back to
after this, so you can have the rest of Simon Peter’s interactions.) <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then took they Him, and led Him, and brought Him
into the high priest’s house. And Peter
followed afar off. And when they had
kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat
down among them. But a certain maid
beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This
man was also with Him. And he denied
Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not. And
after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another
confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with Him, for he
is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I
know not what thou sayest. And
immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the Word of the Lord,
how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke, Chapter 22, verses 54-62.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I read this Bible passage, I reflect on how I
sometimes think I am very dedicated to God, but really I’m a “Luke-warm
Christian!” In my mind, I feel like God
is the most important part of my life, but when a situation arises where I
could share my faith with others, I avoid it.
I say to myself, “Well, this isn’t the right timing for me to discuss
Jesus and all He’s done for me. Another
time would be more beneficial and the person would probably be more open to it
then.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Baloney!!!
Who am I trying to fool? I guess
the only one I’m trying to fool is myself, because God knows when I avoid
situations where I could have shared my relationship with Him. Although I don’t deny God openly as Simon
Peter did, I’m denying Him in my heart through my choice not to share my love
for Jesus with others. Sometimes, the
truth hurts!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And Peter
remembered the Word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou
shalt deny me thrice. And he went out
and wept bitterly. Matthew, Chapter 26,
verse 75.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Simon Peter
said unto Him, Lord, whither goest Thou?
Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow Me now; but thou
shalt follow Me afterwards. Peter said
unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now?
I will lay down my life for Thy sake.
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for My sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock
shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice. John, Chapter 13, verses 36-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And Simon
Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto
the high priest, and went in with Jesus
into the palace of the high priest.
But Peter stood at the door without.
Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest,
and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto
Peter, Art not thou also one of this Man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there,
who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and
Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
John, Chapter 18, verses 15-18. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[I’m skipping to the
rest.] <i>And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also
one of His disciples? He denied it, and
said, I am not. One of the servants of
the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I
see thee in the garden with Him? Peter
then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. John, Chapter 18, verses 25-27. <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>(This is the part I left out earlier.) <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the
mount of Olives: and His disciples also followed Him. And when He was at the place, He said unto
them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down,
and prayed, Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless
not My will, but Thine, be done. And
there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more
earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to
the ground. And when He rose up from
prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and
pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Luke, Chapter 22, verses 39-46.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As a Christian, it’s easy for me to say, “Oh, no
problem. I love You so much, Jesus; that
there’s no way I will slip into temptation.”
Well, if the disciples who loved Jesus very much could slip into
temptation, then we need to learn from their actions and realize the importance
of praying for God to keep us from temptation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I recognize that sometimes when I say the Lord’s
Prayer each night, I tend to ramble through it even though I know I
shouldn’t. I’m not sure that God
acknowledges prayers when we just ramble through them in a repetitive manner. When I say my prayers in the morning, I ask
God to take care of all sorts of things: my family, the world, and me; but I
don’t ask Him to protect us from temptation.
This has made me extremely aware of my need to add that to my daily
prayers and to slow down and focus on what I’m praying.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Watch and
pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak. Matthew, Chapter 26,
verse 41.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For it had been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from
the Holy Commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter, Chapter 2, verse 21.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And while He yet spake, behold a multitude, and he
that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto
Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said unto
him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss? When they which were about Him saw what would
follow, they said unto Him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high
priest, and cut off his right ear. And
Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far.
And He touched his ear, and healed him.
Luke, Chapter 22, verses 47-51.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t know if I could do something nice like heal
a person who was part of a plot to kill me.
I’ve been known to remember situations for over twenty years where
someone has been rude or hurtful to me, yet I am dependent on Jesus’ forgiving
nature. If He remembered all my sins the
same way I have harbored resentments toward others, there’s no way I would ever
make it to heaven. He forgives me over
and over, even when I don’t deserve His forgiveness. He is there loving me when I find it
difficult to love myself. I’m so
fortunate to have Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I write these things and find I’m very
two-faced. I say things like Savior and
Redeemer in my writing and realize that I would never be caught dead saying
these things in public. I think that’s
because I don’t want to sound like a religious fanatic to others. I might say that I love Jesus, but that’s
usually as far as my profession of faith goes.
I need to pay attention because I could be faced with Jesus saying, “I
love Debbie, but I can’t allow her to have Salvation because she is afraid to
risk the condemnation of others. She is
afraid that if she says I’m her Savior and Redeemer, others will think she is a
religious fanatic! What a shame. She had such potential, but if she can’t
acknowledge Me, I don’t feel obliged to acknowledge her. Such a shame!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Actually, this reminds me about the passage I had
just written where Simon Peter denied Jesus three times. Well, Simon Peter still received Salvation,
because he learned from his mistakes and realized how terrible it was that he
had denied Jesus. Simon Peter turned his
life around where he became someone who readily proclaimed his love for
Jesus. Now I need to be able to do the
same. I need to turn my life around and
not hide behind my fear of what people will think of me. I’m still very weak in this area and need to
ask that God gives me the willingness to let Him guide my actions and my words,
now and always, not just when it’s comfortable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And, behold,
one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword,
and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy
sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the
sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now
pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of
angels? But how then shall the
Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Matthew, Chapter 26, 51-54.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O my God, I
trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over
me. Psalm, Chapter 25, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*As for our
Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts is His Name, the Holy One of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Isaiah, Chapter 47, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptized
thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with
water: but there standeth One among you, Whom ye know not; He it is, who coming
after me is preferred before me, Whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to
unloose. These things were done in
Bethabara beyond <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
where John was baptizing. The next day
John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world. This
is He of whom I said, After me cometh a Man which is preferred before me: for
He was before me. And I knew Him not:
but that He should be made manifest to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, therefore am I come
baptizing with water. And John bare
record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it
abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but
He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou
shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which
baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I
saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and the
two of His disciples: and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the
Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard
Him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then
Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say,
being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode
with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and
followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and
saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted, the
Christ. And he brought him to
Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said,
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by
interpretation, A stone. The day
following Jesus would go forth into <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>,
and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me. Now Philip was of <st1:city w:st="on">Bethsaida</st1:city>,
the city of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Andrew</st1:city></st1:place>
and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and
saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the prophets,
did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John, Chapter 1, verses 25-45.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think this passage is very moving. It shows the dedication of the followers of
Jesus. John the Baptist spent his adult
life not earning a good living, gaining status or climbing the ladder of
success; but instead, he told people of the coming of Jesus. John the Baptist had a very humble, but
magnificent job! Jesus’ disciples gave
up their previous jobs and lifestyles to join Him. They didn’t ask Jesus if there would be good
benefits, what the stock options were or what was in it for them. They just followed Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sad that it would be difficult in this day and
age for most of us, including me, to totally give up everything and follow
Jesus. I want to go in the direction
where Jesus needs me just like the disciples who were willing to do as Jesus
asked.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:
but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to
bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire. Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say
the scribes that Elias must first come?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and
restore all things. But I say unto you,
That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they listed. Likewise also
the Son of Man suffer of them. Then the
disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist. Matthew, Chapter 17, verses 10-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign
showest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was
this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days? But He spake of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">His Body</st1:placename></st1:place>. When therefore He was risen from the dead,
His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the
Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said, Now when He was in Jerusalem at
the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the
miracles which He did. John, Chapter 2,
verses 18-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Missouri</st1:state></st1:place>, the Show Me State. It’s kind of like we say to God, “I’ll
believe that Jesus is our Savior if You show me the proof, if You show me a
sign, if You show me…”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think that’s how many Christians get led astray to
metaphysical and cult types of churches.
They are looking for valid proof of Jesus’ existence and a concrete
explanation for the creation of the world.
These metaphysical churches seem to appeal to them because they combine
religion with science in a way that makes some kind of sense to them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus’ telling us that His body is going to be
raised up on the third day defies any explanation, real or metaphysical. It’s in the Bible and enough different
disciples wrote about it from their perspective, so we know that no one made
this up. This allows us to compare what
was foretold in the Bible years before Jesus’ birth with what the different
disciples wrote. That’s why reading the
Bible is beneficial, especially for those that have doubts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Even Thomas told the other disciples that he didn’t
believe that Jesus had risen from the grave.
Knowing this, Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to touch the nail
prints in His hands and thrust his hand into His side in order for him to
believe. It really did happen! Although it defies our human logic, Jesus
arose from the grave to save us all from our sins.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I see Jesus’ work in my life each and every day in
ways that defy all explanation, but I do.
I try to turn my life over to God and turn to Him to take care of my
daily issues and concerns. He gives me
the Peace Which Passes All Understanding to get through the tough times. He is always there taking care of me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We talk about signs.
What sign do I have that Jesus is there?
Well, I’m usually pretty private about this one, but it’s the biggest
sign I can think of. I guess if it lets
one of you turn to God, then it was worth sharing with you. My previous marriage was unhealthy and I
stayed in it longer than I should have.
I thought that’s what God would want me to do. Boy, was I ever wrong! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>One day while I was driving, I prayed for God to
give me a sign so that I would know whether I should stay in the marriage or
leave. I was confused and had gone back
and forth and needed guidance to know God’s Will. A little later in the day when I looked down
at my wedding rings, I noticed the diamond was missing! Now, I didn’t lose the diamond from my rings
the day before I prayed for a sign or five days later, but on the very same day
that I had asked for a sign.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately for me, I listened to the sign that God
gave me and got out of that unhealthy marriage.
Later, I found out about the impact that living in an unhealthy
relationship all those years can have on a family. I’m so glad I listened when God gave me the
sign that defies all explanation, the same way that Jesus’ rising from the
grave to save us from our sins defies all explanation…but it’s true!!!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*But He
answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a
sign: and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet
Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall
the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of
Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Jesus].<i> Matthew, Chapter 12, verses
39-41.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be
born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the
Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said
unto thee, Ye must be born again. The
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born
of the Spirit. John, Chapter 3, verses
3-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I tend to get distracted when I say my prayers for
my family, myself and the world situation.
When I find myself doing this, I pray for God to give me His Holy Spirit
to guide me and to keep me focused. When
God’s Holy Spirit lives within me; my actions are more God-focused. Otherwise, it’s very easy for me to get
distracted by living a life with worldly values.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, it’s the same for being a Christian. I can say that I believe in Jesus and live a
worldly life not focused on Jesus at all.
Will I go to heaven? Possibly
not. If I love Jesus enough to commit to
be baptized, will I go to heaven? Well,
it’s a start, but it’s not enough. There
are lots of people who were baptized years ago who spend their lives focused on
drugs, alcohol, power, prestige and self instead of God. After you’re baptized, you need to be an
example of Jesus’ positive influence on your life. What if I live a good life, but don’t
recognize Jesus as my Savior? Will I
still go to heaven? There are lots of
Bible passages that state a person doesn’t have Salvation by good works
alone. They have to believe in Jesus as
their Savior and to try to live their lives as examples to others.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe
not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He
that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His
Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might
be saved. He that believeth on Him is
not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath
not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that Light is
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their
deeds were evil. For every one that
doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should
be reproved. But he that doeth Truth
cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought
in God. John, Chapter 3, verses 12-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me think of Satan as lying within
the shadows ready to pounce on unsuspecting people by tempting them. Satan entices them with worldly pleasures and
lifestyle choices that lead them away from the Light and into the shadows. I think of Jesus as the Light that is turned
on in the dark, to illuminate our way and to make our path clearly
visible. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us and Lights
the way to Salvation. As the children of
Light, we need to lead our lives accordingly.
Are we making the lifestyle choices and leading our lives as examples of
the Light that Jesus provides for us?
Or, do we fall prey to Satan sneaking up and dimming our focus through
worldly choices and people who lead us astray?
We need to be in prayerful consideration of these questions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be Ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting which are not convenient: but
rather giving of thanks. For this ye
know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, hath any inheritance in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Christ</st1:placename></st1:place>
and of God. Let no man deceive you with
vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience. Be not ye
partakers with them. For ye were
sometimes darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord: walk as children of
Light. Ephesians, Chapter 5, verses 1-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The people which sat in darkness saw great Light;
and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death Light is sprung
up. From that time Jesus began to
preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The people answered Him, We have heard out of
the Law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of Man must
be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little
while is the Light with you. Walk while
ye have the Light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness
knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye
have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and
did hide Himself from them. But though
He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him. John, Chapter 12, verses 34-37.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed
on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should
be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the
praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He
that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent
Me. I am come a Light into the world,
that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My Words, and believe
not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the
world. He that rejecteth Me, and
receiveth not My Words, hath One that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken,
the same shall judge him in the Last Day.
For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave
Me a Commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His Commandment is life
everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I
speak. John, Chapter 12, verses 42-50.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait
for the God of my Salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I
fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a Light unto me.
Micah, Chapter 7, verses 7-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The light of the body is the
eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of
Light. But if thine eye be evil, thy
whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the Light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that
darkness! Matthew, Chapter 6, verses
22-23.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For He whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God:
for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all
things into His hand. He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John, Chapter 3, verses 34-36.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God tells us through the Bible in plain and simple
Words: If we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, we will have everlasting life in
heaven; and if we don’t, we will have God’s wrath instead! I don’t know about you, but I would much
rather have everlasting life with God than to endure His wrath. What about you?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*All things
are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;
neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son
will reveal Him. Matthew, Chapter 11,
verse 27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God
require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to
love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy
soul. Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then cometh He to a city of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city></st1:place>, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore,
being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the
sixth hour. There cometh a woman of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city></st1:place> to draw water:
Jesus saith unto her, Give Me to drink.
(For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of <st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city>
unto Him, How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a
woman of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city></st1:place>?
for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou
knewest the gift of God, and Who It is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink;
thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee Living
Water. The woman saith unto Him, Sir,
Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast
Thou that Living Water? Art Thou greater
than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and
his children, and his cattle? Jesus
answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst
again: But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never
thirst; but the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water
springing up into everlasting life.
John, Chapter 4, verses 5-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like the picture I get when I read this. I know that I get thirsty and get a glass of
water; but in a little while, I might get thirsty again. Sometimes, it becomes annoying when I have to
run downstairs to get another glass of water.
Other times when I’m away from home and find myself without a place to
get water, my thirst seems unquenchable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have never thought of being so satisfied that I’m
never thirsty again. Of course, Jesus
isn’t talking about actual water, but we do have a thirst to have eternal life
with Him. If we ignore that inner thirst
and choose to lead a more worldly life, that thirst is still there,
unquenched. If we satisfy our thirst, by
finding out more about Jesus and His love for us and try to be examples of how
He works in our lives, our thirst for a relationship with Jesus is
quenched. We don’t have to seek eternal
life, because we will have it through our love of Jesus, who will quench all
our needs, if we only ask Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must
worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The
woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when
He is come, He will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He. John, Chapter 4, verses 24-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Have you ever watched movies where men or women are
looking for their true love, but have a good friend they overlook because they
are looking for the ideal partner? The
majority of the movie is focused on the main character pursuing people who are
attractive, popular, etc., but never are satisfied. Later, in the movie, they find that the ideal
person for them is their true-blue friend who has been there, all along.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s like this lady who is desperately searching for
Jesus, without realizing He is right in front of her. He isn’t attractive, popular, etc., so He
might go unnoticed. He is our true-blue
friend and Savior who is there to save us, but do we notice Him? Like the song says, “Looking for love in all
the wrong places,” do we want to be a “Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong
Places Christian” or should we stop to realize that He has been right here in
front of us, all along?<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So Jesus Himself came again into Cana of <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son
was sick at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>. When he had heard that Jesus was come out of
Judaea into Gaililee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come
down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs
and wonders, ye will not believe. The
nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son
liveth. And the man believed the Word
that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants
met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the
seventh hour the fever left him. So the
father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy
son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus
did, when He was come out of Judaea into <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>. John, Chapter 4, verses 46-54.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The thing that made all the difference in the life
of the young boy was what the father believed Jesus when He told him that his
son liveth. Now if the father had
doubted Jesus, his son would be dead and he would have always regretted not
having had the faith necessary to trust Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The sad thing is that some can’t believe that Jesus
is going to take care of their needs.
It’s almost funny that they can believe things like the following:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s funny, they can believe their concerns are
going to be taken care of by sending money to someone on TV, but they don’t
trust in Jesus. It’s funny, they can
believe in someone who looks at some tea leaves, crystals or lines in their
hands, but they don’t trust in Jesus.
It’s funny, some can believe in chanting some positive affirmation, but
they don’t trust in Jesus. It’s funny,
some believe in looking at their horoscope, but they don’t trust in Jesus. It’s funny, some can believe in putting
positive thoughts in their minds, but they don’t trust in Jesus. People can believe in all these ridiculous
things and all they had to do was to have faith in Jesus. It’s almost so simple that it eludes them. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We have choices in our lives. We can believe God is going to take care of
our concerns in whichever way is His will (because He sees the Big
Picture). Or we can doubt and live to
regret, not having the faith necessary to trust Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And when
Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching
Him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously
tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I
will come and heal him. The centurion
answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my
roof: but speak the Word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having
soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another,
Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, He marveled and said to
them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no,
not in Israel. And I say unto you, That
many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast
believed, so be it done unto thee. And
his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 5-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And when He
was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them,
Believe ye that I am able to do this?
They said unto Him, Yea, Lord.
Then touched He their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto
you. And their eyes were opened; and
Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 28-30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And behold, a
woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have
mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a
devil. But He answered her not a
Word. And His disciples came and
besought Him, saying, Send her away, for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but
unto the lost sheep of the house of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying,
Lord, help me. But He answered and said,
It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat
of the crumbs which fall from their Masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O
woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt, And her daughter
was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew, Chapter 15, verses 22-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Thus saith the
LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and
whose heart departeth from the LORD. For
he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh;
but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not
inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth
in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out
her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall
be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease
from yielding fruit. Jeremiah, Chapter
17, verses 5-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of
blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season
into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling
of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an
infirmity thirty and eight years. When
Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He
saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down
before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise,
take up thy bed, and walk. And
immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the
same day was the Sabbath. The Jews
therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful
for thee to carry thy bed. He answered
them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and
walk. Then asked they him, What Man is
that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not Who it was:
for Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple,
and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing
come unto thee. John, Chapter 5, verses
3-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Something that impresses me about this passage is
that Jesus asked the handicapped man, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Now, it would seem any handicapped person in
their right mind would say, “Sure I will.
I would do anything to be made whole!”
But I don’t think we always do that as Christians. When Jesus gave His life for us and rose
again to gain us Salvation, He is asking all of us, “Wilt thou be made
whole?” What would we reply? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Would it be, “Yes, as long as my friends don’t know
that I’m a Christian”? “Yes, as long as
I can still cheat on my spouse every now and then. It really doesn’t mean a thing!” “Yes, as long as I can still stab my
co-workers in the back to get another wrung up the ladder of success.” “Yes, just as long as I can party every now
and then. You know it doesn’t really
hurt anything. Besides, I need to relax
now and then.” When Jesus asks us if we
will be made whole, all we have to do is believe in Him as our Lord and
Savior. The other part of being made
whole is trying to live as examples of how He works in our lives. I don’t think any of the responses above
reflect that. What will you say to the
question Jesus poses in our lives, “Wilt thou be made whole?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*When the even
was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He
cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: That it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took
our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The blind
receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf
hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to
them. Matthew, Chapter 11, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My
Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is
coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God: and
they that hear shall live. John, Chapter
5, verses 24-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I had a hearing problem when I was growing up. My mother took me to a specialist to check my
hearing to make sure that there weren’t any major problems. The doctor told my mother that I had
selective-listening. This meant I tuned
out the things that I didn’t want to hear and only listened to the things that
I wanted to hear. Are we
“Selective-listening Christians,” listening only to what we want to hear when
it comes to God? Are we only open to
doing the Christian acts that are comfortable for us and don’t really require
us to make any changes to grow as Christians?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You will notice that it talks about he that heareth
My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, not he that heareth only what he
wants to hear and only believes when it’s convenient. Hopefully, we aren’t using
selective-listening in our Christian lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when even was now come, His disciples went down
unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come
to them. And the sea arose by reason of
a great wind that blew. So when they had
rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the
sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But He saith unto them, It is I; be not
afraid. Then they willingly received Him
into the ship: and immediately the ship was at land whither they went. John, Chapter 6, verses 16-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I recently talked with my daughter and told her that
I say the Lord’s Prayer or sing<i> I
Surrender All,</i> when I’m feeling scared, stressed or like Satan is trying to
pervade my thoughts to lead me astray.
She told me that she says: <i>Be Not
Afraid</i> when she is experiencing similar things. So, this passage has special significance for
me for that reason.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was thinking about the influence we have on our
children’s lifestyle choices and their relationship with God, through the
modeling we do. My daughter has picked
up some similar strategies to connect with God when she is feeling stressed,
concerned, etc. It’s much better that
she picks up positive strategies like this, than seeing me turn to alcohol or
worse, as situations arise. You don’t
realize the impact you have on your children by the choices you make. Are you making choices you want your children
to emulate? If not, it’s not too late to
change the way you turn to God in time of need, joy, etc. It may have a positive impact on your child’s
life, regardless of their age.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be
saved. Acts, Chapter 2, verse 21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when they had found Him on the other side of the
sea, they said unto Him, Rabbi, when camest Thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did
eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that Meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you for
Him hath God the Father sealed. Then
said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is
the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent. They said therefore unto Him, What sign
showest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? what dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as
it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth
you the True Bread from heaven. For the
Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the
world. Then said they unto Him, Lord,
evermore give us this Bread. And Jesus
said unto them, I am The Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never
hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen
Me, and believe not. All that the Father
giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast
out. For I came down from heaven, not to
do Mine Own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent
Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise
it up again at the Last Day. And this is
the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth
on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the Last
Day. John, Chapter 6, verses 25-40.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>With having a focus on eating most of my life, this
passage gives me a whole different perspective.
I need to focus on, “<i>Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for
that Meat which endureth unto everlasting life.”</i> It makes me realize how I tend to get
sidetracked by worldly things, like eating, etc. when my focus should always be
on Jesus who will really satisfy all my needs.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep My
saying, he shall never see death. John,
Chapter 8, verse 51.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Isn’t it amazing?
If we try to live our lives in a manner that reflects the positive
impact that Jesus has on us, we will have everlasting life with Him in heaven.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the
World. When He had thus spoken, He spat
on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the
blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,
(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He
went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbours therefore, and they which
before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and
begged? Some said, this is he: others
said, he is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A Man that is called
Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of
Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is He? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that
aforetime was blind. And it was the
Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how
he had received his sight. He said unto
them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This
man is not of God, because He keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a Man that is a sinner
do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What
sayest thou of Him, that He hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him,
that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents
of him that had received his sight. And
they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that
this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we
know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he
shall speak for himself. These words
spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed
already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out
of the synagogue. Therefore said his
parents, He is of age; ask him. Then
again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the
praise, we know that this Man is a sinner.
He answered and said, Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one
thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did He to
thee? how opened He thine eyes? He
answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye
hear it again? will ye also be His
disciples? Then they reviled him, and
said, Thou art His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for
this Fellow, we know not from whence He is.
The man answered and said unto them.
Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is,
and yet He hath opened mine eyes. Now we
know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and
doeth His will, him He heareth. Since
the world began it was not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was
born blind. If this Man were not of God,
He could do nothing. They answered and
said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and
when He had found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I
might believe on Him? And Jesus said
unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him. John, Chapter 9, 5-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If you ask me, it wasn’t the person who was healed
that was blind. Those men investigating
the miracle Jesus performed on this man seemed to be blind. They still could not acknowledge that Jesus
is their Savior, even after the miracle.
Hopefully, we aren’t “Blind Christians” who ignore the things that Jesus
shows us in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: 3.5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that
entereth not by the Door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way,
the same is a thief and a robber. But he
that entereth in by the Door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To Him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear
His Voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out, And when
He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him:
for they know His Voice. And a stranger
will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of
strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto
them: but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto
them. Then said Jesus unto them again,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the Door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and
robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall
go in and out, and find pasture. The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd
giveth His Life for the sheep. But he
that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth
the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them,
and scattereth the sheep. The hireling
fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep,
and am known of Mine. As the Father
knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My Life for the
sheep. And other sheep I have, which are
not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My Voice; and
there shall be one fold, and One Shepherd.
Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My Life, that I
might take it again. No man taketh it
from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This Commandment have I received of My
Father. John, Chapter 10, verses 1-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed
not: the works that I do in My Father’s Name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of My
sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear
My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My
hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is
greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s Hand. I and My Father are One. John, Chapter 10, verses 25-30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Wow! There
are so many wonderful comparisons that Jesus makes in this passage that I’m
afraid I might leave some out. If I do,
please forgive me. This is what this
passage means to me, although I realize others may interpret it differently.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus is speaking of the sheep as Christians (His
people.) People who want to lead
Christians (His people) astray aren’t going to do it in a forthright
manner. They aren’t going to come
through the front door and say, “I’m here to deceive you and lead you
astray. Follow me and you are bound to
lose your Salvation.” If the Christians
would know better than to follow them, they would stay with the rest of the
sheep knowing that Jesus, their Shepherd, would always protect them and lead
them to Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Instead, people who want to lead Christians astray,
do it in a more subtle manner like the robber who sneaks in to steal the
sheep. They work slyly trying to deceive
Christians by making them believe that they are doing the Will of God-so sad!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>True Christians stay focused on Jesus and His will
for us, as shown in the Bible. That way
we will know Jesus’ Voice and won’t be led astray by others who profess to be
followers of His, but aren’t. God the
Father gave us to Jesus to be His sheep, and Jesus and God the Father are One.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus is dedicated to protecting us like a Shepard
who protects His sheep from wolves. A
Shepherd would give His life to save His sheep, just as Jesus gave His Life to
save us from our sinful nature. Those
who deceive Christians are going to run for the hills when they see the wolves
coming or when we stop giving them the money or the things they want from
us. As long as we listen to our
Shepherd’s Voice, Jesus will keep us from being misled.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages: <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now
returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter, Chapter 2, verse 25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand,
and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work is
before Him. He shall feed His flock like
a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His Arm, and carry them in His
Bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah, Chapter 40, verses 10-11.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and
all flesh shall see it together: for the Mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. The Voice said, Cry. And He said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness
thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
because the Spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is
grass. The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah, Chapter 40, verses 5-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew, Chapter 7, verse 15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But when He
saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted,
and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest
truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of
the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 36-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Behold, send
you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents,
and harmless as doves. Matthew, Chapter
10, verse 16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then saith
Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is
written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered
abroad. But after I am risen again, I
will go before you into <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>. Matthew, Chapter 26, verses 31-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I have gone
astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget Thy
Commandments. Psalm, Chapter 119, verse
176.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me
not. But if I do, though ye believe not
Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me,
and I in Him. John, Chapter 10, verses
37-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It amazes me.
The Israelites were told for generations that there would be a Savior
and they waited for Him all those years.
When Jesus, the Savior, did come, they didn’t believe Him. Now, you might be able to understand why they
might not believe Him just because He tells them that He is the Savior. I guess I could have been a little skeptical
at that point, as well. Jesus knows they
are doubtful and does major miracles like making people see who had been blind
from birth, making the lame walk, bringing the dead back to life, taking water
and making it into wine and taking a little bread and a few fish and making it
feed thousands.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He did major miracles so people would realize He
isn’t just any man who is saying that He is the Savior. He really IS the Savior!! His miracles and all His actions attested to
this, but still people don’t believe Him.
We have record in the Bible of all the great things that Jesus did and
said, but He gives us a choice. Do you
believe Him? I hope for your sake you
do!<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection, and the
Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And
whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto Him, Yea,
Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come
into the world. And when she had so
said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, the Master
is come, and calleth for thee. As soon
as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. John, Chapter 11, verses 25-29.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage reminds me of asking kids to come do
something and you hear, “In a minute,” “During the commercial,” or “When I get
around to it.” Actually, I have been
guilty of saying the exact same things myself.
As Christians, do we jump up and respond when we feel Jesus is calling
us to do something or do we tell Him, “When I get around to it”?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but
Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with
her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one
of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray Him. Why was not this ointment sold for three
hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the
poor: but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put
therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone:
against the day of My burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but Me
ye have not always. John, Chapter 12,
verses 2-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Judas chastises Mary for doing something good when
he really had ulterior motives. He
really wanted the money for himself. How
many times do we have ulterior motives but sound very self-righteous to others?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know eating was one of the subtle ways that I let
Satan sneak into my life. You wouldn’t
think Satan could have a stronghold on a person with something as seemingly
insignificant as eating. Generally, we
think about major things like drinking, taking drugs, infidelity, stealing,
etc., not eating. Things that seem minor
are easier for us “Self-righteous Christians” to let into our lives without
noticing how it works a wedge in our relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God showed me how important food and my compulsive
eating had become when I yelled at my daughter when she was little. She had brought some of her neighborhood
friends over and had given them each one of the green Pippin Apples that I had
stored in our refrigerator. I yelled at
her, telling her that she shouldn’t have given the apples to them because there
wouldn’t be enough for the family.
Actually, I wasn’t really worried about the family. Those apples were my favorite and I had
bought them for me!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was being a terrible example of my faith! My ulterior motives interfered when I should
have been complimenting my daughter for sharing with others. Instead, I was hoarding the apples for myself! It seems silly to have let something as
insignificant as apples sneak in between my relationship with my daughter and
my faith, but I’m ashamed to say that I did.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>On the next day much people that were come to the
feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of
palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King
of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Fear not, daughter of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Zion</st1:city></st1:place>:
behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not
His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they
that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto
Him. John, Chapter 12, verses 12-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of a really good instructor who
tells you before-hand what you’re going to learn. That way you can identify the important
information when you see it. The really
good instructor gives you a variety of examples to prove a point. That’s what I see happening in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The Old Testament tells us we are looking for the
Savior and what He will do and say, along with what things will happen to Him
when He comes. The New Testament not
only tells about Jesus fulfilling these things that had been predicted, but
tells of all the miracles that He did, as proof to those who are doubtful. These things are verified through different
people who described what Jesus said and how He saved us from our sins through
His death and Resurrection. If a person
has any doubts, reading the Bible would help them see how Jesus’ life is no
coincidence.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is one of the many passages from the Old
Testament that foretell of Jesus: <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Rejoice
greatly, O daughter of <st1:city w:st="on">Zion</st1:city>; shout, O daughter
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having Salvation: lowly, and
riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah, Chapter 9, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is one of the related New Testament passages
that show how Jesus had fulfilled the ancient prophesy:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And when they
drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives,
then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over
against you and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her:
loose them, and bring them unto Me. And
if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and
straightway he will send them. And this
was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Tell ye the daughter of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Zion</st1:city></st1:place>,
Behold; thy King cometh sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an
ass. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 1-5.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come,
that the Son of Man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he
that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and
where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My
Father honour. Now is My soul troubled;
and what shall I say? Father, save Me from
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy Name. Then came there a Voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified It, and will glorify It again. The people therefore, that stood by, and
heard It said that It thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him. Jesus answered and said, This Voice came not
because of Me, but for your sakes. John,
Chapter 12, verses 23-30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I love the way Jesus made the comparison between His
life and a kernel of wheat that dies, but through its death brings forth much
fruit. Jesus was willing to give up His
life for us so that we could be forgiven from our sins. Yet, we are often skeptical which seems
awfully ungrateful after all Jesus has done for us. Jesus goes on to say that those who are
willing to give their lives for Him will have eternal life. Are we willing to give our worldly lives over
to God and become examples of how Jesus works in us? That’s what it takes!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He that
findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall
find it. Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 39.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and
the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My
Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. John, Chapter 14, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Knowing how patient, understanding and forgiving
Jesus is gives me a clear picture of God the Father who is exactly the
same. Fortunately for me, since I need
lots of patience and forgiveness. I tend
to keep making the same mistakes over and over again by getting caught up in
feeling self-righteous about things, judging other people and letting food or
possessions become too important in my life (just to mention a few of my many
shortcomings.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on Me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask
in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will
do it. If ye love Me, Keep My
Commandments. And I will pray the
Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for
ever. John, Chapter 14, verses 12-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When my son was born, he had to be rushed to a large
hospital hours away from us for a life-threatening surgery. It can be pretty lonely when the nurses bring
out the babies for their mothers to hold and your arms are empty. Fortunately, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) had
given me what I call the Peace Which Passes All Understanding. It’s a calm feeling when I would normally be
really upset or extremely concerned.
Instead, I felt at peace knowing that God was taking excellent care of
things so that I shouldn’t worry…and He did!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be careful
for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the Peace of God, Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians, Chapter 4, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth them, he
it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I
will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.
John, Chapter 14, verse 21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have often been more of a “Do as I Say, Not as I
Do Christian.” It’s sure a lot easier to
tell others how they should live their lives according to what God tells us in
the Bible, than to actually live as the example He wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>He that
receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent
Me. Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 40.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I am the true vine, and My Father is the
husbandman. Every branch in Me that
beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He
purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit.
John, Chapter 15, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I love the comparison Jesus makes in this chapter
with a grapevine and His followers (Christians.) Just like the farmer in the grape vineyard
who cuts down unproductive branches, God weeds out so-called Christians who
aren’t productive, as well. Christians
who produce fruit will be trained in the ways to become better examples of how
God works in their lives. I need to be a
better example, because I sure wouldn’t want to get pruned!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. John, Chapter 15, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In this comparison, Christians are the branches and
Jesus is the vine. If a heavy wind had
broken a branch off, that branch could not continue to produce grapes year
after year on its own. People who stray
away from Jesus lose their focus as Christians if they don’t have an ongoing
relationship with Him. The branch needs
a vine with a strong root system to get nourishment up through it; into the
branches and into the grapes. Christians
rely heavily on the nourishment that Jesus gives them through His Word (the
Bible) to help us grow as His examples for others. <i> </i>In this same way we rely on Jesus, who
relies on us to be productive by sharing our faith with others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in You, ye
shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear
much fruit: so shall ye be My disciples.
As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My
love. If ye keep My Commandments, ye
shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s Commandments, and abide
in His love. These things have I spoken
unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be
full. This is My Commandment, That ye
love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this that a Man lay down His life for His
friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do
whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I
call you no servants: for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I
have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have
made known unto you. John, Chapter 15,
verses 7-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t want to take this lightly, being an “Only
for the Moment Christian,” then falling back into my old sinful ways
again. Jesus gave His life for me and
for you. He deserves a little more
recognition than an occasional mention on special religious holidays or when we
feel the need to go to church for family traditions. He sacrificed so much for us which should
warrant us trying to make a committed effort to be the Christian that Jesus
would want us to be.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because
her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth
no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. John, Chapter 16, verse 21.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My mother told me something like this when I was
expecting my daughter. I was somewhat
apprehensive since this was my first child.
Ever since then, I share this with other expectant mothers who tend to
be overwhelmed by all the delivery-room horror stories that their supposed
friends and co-workers share with them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have never figured out why women do this to each
other. You would think that if they had
been scared by the delivery stories that other people had told them, they
wouldn’t want to do this to their friends.
I have continued to see women do this over the years and in different
parts of the country. It’s almost like
some female bonding ritual, where mothers get to see if the expectant mother is
worthy of her newborn child by living through all the delivery-room horror
stories shared with them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My mother told me that God made childbirth very
special. Although there is some pain
involved, it’s only for a little while and your focus is on having your new
child born healthy. The pain tends to
pale in comparison to the anticipation of having a happy, healthy child.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>She reminded me of scars I had as a youngster. I can remember that the original cut hurt,
but I can’t actually feel the pain associated with those scars anymore. She told me that God made childbirth pain in
much the same way since people wouldn’t continue to have children if they held
onto the pain.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My mother said the pain experienced disappears from
your focus once you have your new child in your arms. Now, I think this is a much nicer thing to
share with expectant mothers than the other delivery-room stories that I
mentioned, and it’s nice there is Scripture to back it up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My
Name, He will give it you. John, Chapter
16, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There have been times in my life when I have had
situations larger than my plate could handle.
Fortunately, God answered my prayer by providing friends and family who
would support me in ways that defy explanation.
I am truly blessed!<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye
shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I
am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John, Chapter 16, verses 32-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus knows of the terrible travesty of justice that
is about to befall Him, and yet He takes the time to reassure His disciples
(and us.) This passage gives me so much
hope, even when worldly things seem to get me down. Jesus has conquered the world, so it can’t
ever get the best of me as long as I continue to focus on Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on Me through their Word; That they all may be one; as
Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee that they also may be one in Us: that
the world may believe that Thou has sent Me, And the glory which Thou gavest Me
I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One. John, Chapter 17, verses 20-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have been trying to go back through my feeble
brain to remember what this reminds me of.
Well, I have finally figured it out.
There is a portion of my daily prayer which is, “Dear God, please dwell
with us and in us now and always, and please have us dwell with You and in You
now and always.” That’s what it reminds
me of!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The significance of this prayer is that our
relationship with God is of no importance if it’s only one-sided. We can ask God to dwell with us and in us,
but if we choose not to act on that we are lost. If we dwell with Him and in Him, as well, we
are united and open to the opportunity of growing in Christ.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When they therefore were come together, they asked
of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>? And He said unto them, It is not for you to
know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. Acts, Chapter 1, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Although this isn’t really what this passage is
about, it reminds me of when one of my grandsons was younger and we would ask
him if he wanted to spend the day with us.
He wanted to know what we were going to do before he would commit to coming
with us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t think it’s positive for us to foster the
attitude that if we do something exciting enough, then he will grace us with
his presence. Out of stubbornness, I
didn’t tell him what we were doing before he made his decision. If he decided to go with us, he could do all
the interesting things that we were going to do. If not, that was okay too, because he has the
ability to make his own choices.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, I think that God works in much the same
way. God doesn’t give us the dates of
the major events of the world. Or else
we might reply, “Well, if I know what’s in it for me first, God, and I think
it’s to my advantage, then I will consider being Your follower.” God wants us to be His followers out of blind
faith and love.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>, and in all Judea, and in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city></st1:place>, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth. And when He had spoken these
things, while they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of
their sight. And while they looked
stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
Acts, Chapter 1, verses 8-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The last thing Jesus said to His disciples as He
ascends into heaven is extremely significant.
Jesus tells them to let others know what He had done to provide
Salvation for everyone, not just for a specific country, nationality or race
but it is to be shared,<i>“unto the uttermost part of the earth.”</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place> Jews, devout men, out of every
nation under heaven. Now when this was
noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold,
are not all these which speak Galileans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Acts, Chapter 2, verses 1-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The gift of the Holy Spirit makes a Grand
entrance! God didn’t want this to go
unnoticed or He would have just given this gift subtly to the disciples. He wanted people to know that this is a gift
from God so He had witnesses to this special occasion!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It tells about how the Holy Spirit came down and
gave the disciples and other followers the ability to talk to different
nationalities and cultures of people in their native tongue. Otherwise the disciples and followers of God
would not be able to minister to anyone other than those who could understand
the disciple’s language.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Whether people still talk in tongues or whether it
was just during the time of the disciples isn’t exactly clear to me, at this
point. I just know that the disciples
and followers did then in order to be able to preach to everyone. God didn’t want anyone excluded from the opportunity
to hear His Word.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There is a lot of controversy about talking in tongues,
but I don’t have to get involved in disputes on that topic. It doesn’t say in the Bible that a
requirement for Salvation is to believe in Jesus and to talk in tongues. It just says that we are supposed to believe
in Jesus as our Savior and to try to lead our lives as an example for Him. So, I don’t have to know all the answers in
order to have Salvation. If God wants me
to know this, He’ll show me what He wants me to know, when He wants me to know
it. You can read more about this in 1
Corinthians, Chapter 12, Chapter 13 and Chapter 14 to make up your own mind on
this matter which is definitely preferable to someone else telling you what to
believe. God does have suggestions for
these gifts so that they don’t alienate visitors.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>If therefore the whole church be come together
into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are
unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by
two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if
there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God. 1 Corinthians,
Chapter 14, verses 27-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore let all the house of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> know assuredly, that God
hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked
in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter
said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and
to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call. And with many other
Words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation. Then they that gladly
received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls. And they
continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers. And fear came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts, Chapter 2, verses 36-43.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus didn’t want the apostles or us to sit back on
our laurels after He ascended into heaven.
He wants us to take an active stand in sharing so that others have
Salvation through Jesus, as well. I’m
ashamed to say that I tend to work on this when the situation feels safe and
comfortable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This isn’t the Army where the drill sergeant comes
up to the new recruits in line saying, “Johnson, Scott and Harris, you have
just volunteered for K.P. Duty.” God
gives us a choice. After Jesus gave His
Life for me, I want to be a much better example than I have been in the past.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And all that believed were together, and had all
things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need. And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved. Acts,
Chapter 2, verses 44-47.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s difficult for me to imagine such total
dedication to sharing the Word of God.
That would mean selling my house and giving the money to someone
else. That would mean not having a TV,
VCR, furniture, bank account, etc. Every
aspect of my life would be focused on delivering the message of Salvation to
others. It makes me realize what a
worldly life I still am leading even though I go through the motions of being a
follower of Christ.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When it’s difficult to give up worldly <u>possess</u>ions,
it seems like they <u>possess</u> your soul!
Definitely something I need to work on, especially since I’m thinking
about getting a new computer while I’m editing this rather than focusing on the
message that this has for me. Boy, do I
ever need to get my priorities straight!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And the multitude of them that believed were of
one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things
which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles
witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them
all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things
that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was
made unto every man according as he had need.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being
interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’
feet. Acts, Chapter 4, verses 32-37.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Then Peter said, Lord, we have left all, and
followed Thee. And He said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or
brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not
receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life
everlasting. Luke, Chapter 18, verses
28-30.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely
give. Provide neither gold, nor silver,
nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats,
neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 7-10.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And he </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[lame man]<i> gave heed
unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none;
but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:city></st1:place> rise up and
walk. And he took him by the right hand,
and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength. And he leaping up stood, and
walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and
praising God. And all the people saw him
walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at
the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and
amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people
ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly
wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own
power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers,
hath gloried His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the
presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and
desired a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life, whom
God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His Name through faith in His Name hath
made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath
given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts, Chapter 3, verses 5-16.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In healing the lame man, Peter didn’t take credit
for the miracle but made sure that the people focused on this miracle coming
from faith in Jesus, not through Peter’s efforts. When I watch religious shows on TV, I’m
appalled at the way some of them focus more on the religious leaders who get
paid, than they do on Jesus Christ.
Peter didn’t say “I” healed the lame man through Jesus. “I” am able to do this miracle through Jesus’
power. “I” need you to send me money so
that “I” can continue these miracles.
Peter gave the total credit to Jesus, no “I’s” or “Me’s”.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes, I get concerned about those who profess
to be the messengers of God, but publicly draw attention to themselves. If Jesus and His apostles didn’t draw
attention to themselves for the miracles they did and didn’t ask people for
money, do you think Jesus would approve of those on TV who do? It’s just something that seems noteworthy as
you watch different religious shows that do this. You need to be able to discern the Will of
God. Trust your instincts. He will guide you through these.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Be it known unto you all, and to all the people
of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, that by the Name
of Jesus Christ of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:city></st1:place>,
whom ye crucified. Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man
stand here before you whole. This is the
stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the
corner. Neither is there Salvation in
any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved. Now when they saw the
boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with
Jesus. And beholding the man which was
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Acts, Chapter 4, verses 10-14.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking
mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being
privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price
of the land? Whiles it remained, was it
not thine own? And after it was sold,
was it not in thine own power? Why hast
thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down,
and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these
things. And the young men arose, wound
him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not
knowing what was done, came in. And
Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye
have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried
thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet,
and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and
carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these
things. Acts, Chapter 5, verses 1-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m very fortunate God that has this story of
Ananias and his wife pop in my mind from time to time, especially at times when
I’m trying to find an angle to beat the system.
An example would be my planning to have my college daughter come and eat
at the breakfast buffet in my hotel when I come to her town to visit. Since I’ve realized how I was calculating
this in my heart, I now go to someone at the hotel and offer to pay for my
daughter to join us for breakfast. It’s
not that anyone minded or would have missed the food. What matters is that I contrived this plan in
order to save a few bucks on my daughter’s breakfast and God knows what’s in my
heart. He knows when I’m making up lame
excuses for why I’m not going to church on a particular occasion or why the
sales person deserved my less than patient response to the store’s policy, etc.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It would be nice if God didn’t need to remind me so
often. That’s not the case. Satan works in very subtle ways and finds
ways to sneak into our lives through our planning and scheming and our making
excuses for our choices. I’m so thankful
that God takes the time to remind me. I
don’t ever want to let these subtle things work into my life and slowly lead me
astray. I need to maintain a focus on
God and the reminders He puts in my mind (some people call it a conscience),
which help to refocus me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There came also a multitude out of the cities round
about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with
unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Then the high priest rose up, and all they
that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with
indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common
prison. But the angel of the Lord by
night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the Words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into
the temple early in the morning and taught.
But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and sent to the prison to
have them brought. But when the officers
came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told. Saying, The prison truly found we shut with
all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had
opened, we found no man within. Acts,
Chapter 5, verses 16-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Telling others about
Jesus’ death and Resurrection was important enough that God had an angel unlock
the jail cell doors these two different times.
If He went to all that trouble, don’t you think He wants me to be more
open about sharing my faith with others?
That’s one of my bigger shortcomings!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is a related
passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth
his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened
bread.) And when he had apprehended him,
he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep
him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but
prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth,
the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains:
and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon
him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and
raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly, And his chains fell off from his
hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird
thyself, and bind on thy sandals, And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about
thee, and follow me. And he went out,
and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel;
but thought he saw a vision. When they
were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that
leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went
out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from
him. And when Peter was come to himself,
he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath
delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the
people of the Jews. And when he had
considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose
surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate,
a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness,
but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even
so. Then said they, It is his
angel. But Peter continued knocking: and
when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to
hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison. And he said, Go show these
things unto James, and to the brethren.
And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small
stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found
him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to
death. And he went down from Judaea to <st1:place w:st="on">Caesarea</st1:place>, and there abode. Acts, Chapter 12, verses 1-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And to him they agreed: and when they had called the
apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the
Name of Jesus, and let them go. And they
departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for His Name. And
daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach
Jesus Christ. Acts, Chapter 5, verses
40-42.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My son was committed to
raising money for “Jerry’s Kids.” I
tried to encourage my children to be sensitive to the needs of the less
fortunate. This fourth grade student
went from house to house all weekend long collecting money. Undaunted by those who were unable or
unwilling to contribute, his determination led him to collect a record amount
for this worthy cause. Earlier, I had
suggested that he had done enough and should think of quitting but he wouldn’t
give up until he felt he had done his very best for this cause. I need to be as dedicated to my beliefs,
regardless of what others think.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When they heard these things, they were cut to the
heart, and they gnashed on him [Stephen] with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked
up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the
right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of
Man standing on the right hand of God.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran
upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the
witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was
Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling
upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud
voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts, Chapter 7, verses 54-60.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was impressed with how forgiving Stephen is. They have bitten him and are in the process
of stoning him to death, yet he asks God to forgive them. I have a difficult time forgiving people who
have hurt my feelings ten years ago.
Boy, do I ever have a lot of room for growth!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon,
which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of
Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave
heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of
god. And to him they had regard, because
that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the
things concerning the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>, and the Name of
Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he
was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles
and signs which were done. Now when the
apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed
for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen
upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they
received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon
saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he
offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whosoever I lay
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and
pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts, Chapter 8, verses 8-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some of the things that amaze me in this passage are
related to Simon who could use sorcery to get a whole city to be in awe of him
and the things he did. If it was
possible then, it makes me wonder if people in power, certain celebrities, religious
leaders, etc. do the same thing now. Are
we captivated by particular people who defy all our ethical reasoning? I’m not
sure on this one, but it makes me wonder about people in the media or some
religions that get rich from people sending in their life savings to them. This is just something to think about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Additionally, when Simon saw the power given through
the Holy Spirit when they were laying on hands, he wanted it too. Rather than become committed to his belief in
Jesus, doing it the hard way through changing his life, Simon picked the easy
way out and thought he could have his cake and eat it too! He thought he could live his worldly life and
buy the gift of the Holy Ghost. Well,
Peter saw right through that plan!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The sad part of all of this is that I somewhat
identified with Simon. Sometimes I’m
looking for the easy way out to accomplish God’s Will with the least amount of
risk on my part. I need to be more open
to being the person that God wants me to be.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And he </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Peter]<i> became very
hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been
a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were
all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air, And there came a Voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill,
and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord;
for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the Voice spake unto him again the second
time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was
received up again into heaven. Now while
Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold
the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and
stood before the gate. And called and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed
Peter, were lodged there. Acts, Chapter
10, verses 10-18.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I first read this, I thought it was speaking
solely about people formerly not being allowed to eat pork and other foods
which had been forbidden in past Bible teachings. This passage has far-reaching ramifications. Later on in the same chapter it further
clarifies this passage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And he </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Peter]<i> said unto
them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep
company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I
should not call any man common or unclean.
Acts, Chapter 10, verses 28. <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It goes on to say: <i>Send
therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged
in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall
speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I
sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before
God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he
that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all). Acts Chapter 10, verses 32-36. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Furthermore it says: <i>And
He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which
was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that
through His Name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of
sins. Acts Chapter 10, verses 42-43.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Parts of the passage that I’m quoting are changing
the way that Christians think about the social system. In the past, certain nationalities or
cultures were not to associate with others.
God shares His will with Peter through a dream, using food as a
comparison. Previously, certain foods
had been considered unclean and not to be eaten just like there had been
certain cultures of people who were not to associate with each other. Through this dream, God says that all the
foods are acceptable to Him in the same way that ALL people are His. God doesn’t want His disciples just to preach
to particular types of people or cultures.
Everyone needs to hear the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It shows that God didn’t feel any one nationality,
culture or race was better than another.
He wants everyone to have Salvation, not just certain people. I think if this was important to God then,
people should live their lives accordingly.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sad to see and hear some supposed Christians
talk negatively about people of different ethnic backgrounds. I don’t think we are being the best example
of how God works in our lives when we are putting down different cultures. I don’t believe God wants us to think we are
better than others whether it’s because they have a different ethnic
background, different financial status, believe differently, etc. I think He wants us to be compassionate and
supportive of everyone, being an example of how He works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved
both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is
none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none
that seeketh after God. Romans, Chapter
3, verses 9-10.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For ye are all the
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be
Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians, Chapter 3, verses 26-29.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And Jesus
came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 18-20.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then departed Barnabas to <st1:city w:st="on">Tarsus</st1:city>,
for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Antioch</st1:city></st1:place>. And it came to pass, that a whole year they
assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples
were called Christians first in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Antioch</st1:city></st1:place>. Acts, Chapter 11, verses 25-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I just thought this passage was interesting because
it tells about the origin of the term “Christians”.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Herod was highly displeased with them of <st1:city w:st="on">Tyre</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sidon</st1:city></st1:place>:
but they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the king’s
chamberlain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by
the king’s country. And upon a set day
Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto
them. And the people gave a shout,
saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote
him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up
the ghost. But the Word of God grew and
multiplied. Acts, Chapter 12, verses
20-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think of
times when God gives me a clever idea.
People will sometimes compliment me on them and ask how I came up with
the idea. I’ve found that it’s much
better for me to say, “God just had the idea pop into my head,” rather than to
take the undeserved credit for it. This
passage reinforces that we are supposed to make sure we always give God the
glory instead of using it as an opportunity to add a few more feathers to our
cap. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the
faith. Then Saul, (who also is called
Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all
subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all
Righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? Acts, Chapter 13, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If God had this person in the Bible who used sorcery
called a “child of the devil,” do you think He would approve of the fascination
with the children’s book series that has sorcery as a primary focus? This series has become so popular that both
adults and children are reading them, promoting them to others. It makes me sad Satan uses children’s books
as a subtle way to lead people astray.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing
ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we
turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the
Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that
thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were
glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to
eternal life believed. Acts, Chapter 13,
verse 46-48.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There was a time when I was confused because the
Bible would talk about the Jews being the promised people. I wondered how I was going to get to heaven
since I’m not Jewish. But this says
Salvation is for all people to the ends of the world, which includes me. A person just has to believe Jesus Christ is
Lord and Savior of all in order to go to heaven. I’m so thankful! What a simple request. I don’t have to be born to royalty. I don’t have to be rich or on the society
page. I don’t have to look or dress a
certain way. I just have to believe in
Jesus. How much simpler could it get?<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If God conveyed this to Peter, do you think He wants
us treating different races in an undignified manner? I don’t think it makes Him happy to know how
we have race and social class divisions.
We can personally make a change in how we interact with others and serve
as role models at the same time.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And there they preached the Gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra,
impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had
walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and
perceiving that he had faith to be healed.
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done,
they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are
come down to us in the likeness of men.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was
the chief speaker. Then the priest of
Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates,
and would have done, sacrifice with the people.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their
clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye
these things? We also are men of like
passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities
unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things
that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself
without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they
the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Antioch</st1:city></st1:place> and Iconium, who
persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city,
supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as
the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and
the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts, Chapter 14, verses 7-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In some bizarre way, I think I now understand why
the Ancient Greeks and Romans believed in the mythical gods for so long. They must have seen the disciples doing
miracles and thought they were gods.
They got so caught up in these mythological gods that they never paid
attention to what the disciples were telling them about Jesus and Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s funny how over time man has created elaborate
explanations for the things that God has done rather than acknowledge God. There is a religious group that professes to
be Christian but can’t acknowledge God.
They have to have some logical explanation for miracles and other things
rather than just believing in Him. Some
groups feel that utilizing the “god power within them,” brings about the
desired things in their life. Others use
the “power of positive thinking” and some “visualize” themselves getting the
job they desire. They don’t truly
realize that they aren’t giving God the credit when they think that they got
the job through the “god power within them.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I go for a job interview, I ask God to take
care of the things I say and whether I get the job or not, whichever way is His
will. I feel positive that God knows
what is best for me and my family, so I am happy whether I get the job or
not. That doesn’t mean I might not be
somewhat disappointed if I didn’t get the job, but I only want the job that God
thinks is best for my particular situation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Although God says in the Bible that He dwells within
each of us; I don’t think it’s this same “god power” that I hear this group
speaking of. Everything I have read in
the Bible, and I have read it from cover to cover 16 plus times so far, tells
us that God wants us to turn to Him in everything, not to the “god power that
lies within us” or “to visualize things the way we want them to be.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I really have a personal concern, because I worry
that some well-meaning people may be led astray. They may believe what seems convenient or
more understandable to them rather than believe in God like the people in this
passage who couldn’t believe that the disciples were doing these miracles on
God’s behalf. That defied all logical
explanation so they chose to believe that the disciples were gods instead.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at <st1:city w:st="on">Alexandria</st1:city>, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures,
came to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ephesus</st1:city></st1:place>. This man was instructed in the way of the
Lord; and being fervent in the Spirit, he spake and taught diligently the
things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the
synagogue: whom when <st1:place w:st="on">Aquila</st1:place> and Priscilla had
heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly. And when he was disposed to
pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him:
who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For
he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures
that Jesus was Christ. Acts, Chapter 18,
verses 24-28.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain
damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying,
These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of
Salvation. And this did she many
days. But Paul, being grieved, turned
and said to the spirit, I command thee in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out
of her. And he came out the same
hour. And when her masters saw that the
hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into
the marketplace unto the rulers. Acts,
Chapter 16, verses 16-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m going to skip some verses to get to the part
where Paul is imprisoned.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they
cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: Who, having
received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet
fast in the stocks. And at <st1:time hour="0" minute="0" w:st="on">midnight</st1:time> Paul and Silas prayed, and
sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors
were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the
prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself,
supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are
all here. Then he called for a light,
and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And
brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in
his house. And he took them the same
hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his,
straightway. And when he had brought
them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God
with all his house. And when it was day,
the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying
to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go
in peace. Acts, Chapter 16, verses
23-36.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There’s more to the story. Paul wouldn’t leave the
prison because they had been publicly chastised and the magistrates were trying
to secretly let them out. Paul wanted to
be publicly cleared of all the charges, which eventually happened.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me think of how perfectly God
looks after the people that spread His Word.
I was thinking of Daniel in the lion’s den and how he wasn’t
harmed. It brings to mind lots of
others, as well. Noah and his family
were saved from the flood by God letting him know he was to build an ark. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were not
burned in the fiery furnace. Peter was
let out of jail by the angel. The list
of miracles, where God distinctly protects those that are doing His will, goes
on and on. It’s hard for me to imagine
that anyone wouldn’t want God in their corner.
I sure do!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">church</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>, which He hath purchased with His
Own Blood. For I know this, that after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. </i><i>Acts,
Chapter 20, verses 28-30.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and
said, Ye men of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Athens</st1:city></st1:place>,
I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your
devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein,
seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with
hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing,
seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one
blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and bounds of their habitation; That
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him,
though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and
have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also
His offspring. Forasmuch then as we are
the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold,
or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. Acts, Chapter 17, verses 22-29.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of when my mother told me about
intercourse and how babies are conceived when I was really young. I have to admit it’s a pretty strange
connection to make with this passage. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was very young when my mother explained about
babies being conceived. In fact, I don’t
really remember her telling me. The
thing is, she did tell me the truth and not some story, just like Paul told
them the truth about God and not some story.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Forgetting all the accurate information my mother
had told me because it didn’t seem to make any sense at the time, left me open
to this very interesting explanation when I was a little older.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A girl in my class told me that girls got pregnant
by boys touching them with their finger.
I got so disturbed with this notion that I was afraid to walk through
the halls at school. I thought a boy
could touch you with his finger while passing in the hallway and you might not
ever know who the father of your baby was.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately, I went home and asked my mother how you
know who the father of your baby is?
This really confused her because she had already told me the truth and I
had chosen to believe a far-fetched story instead. Well, it seems very similar here. Paul told them the truth about God, but they
chose to believe some far-fetched story and worship idols made by man’s hands
instead. How sad!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven
image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The
likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl
that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground,
the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou
lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and
the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them,
and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nation under the
whole heaven. Deuteronomy, Chapter 4,
verses 16-19. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the
covenant of the LORD your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven
image, or the likeness of any thing which the LORD thy God hath forbidden
thee. Deuteronomy, Chapter 4, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Thou shalt have none other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or
any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down
thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate Me. And showing mercy unto thousands of
them that love Me and keep My Commandments.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, verses 7-10.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not
deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve gods, and worship them; And then the
LORD’S wrath be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, that there be
no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from
off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 11, verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto the LORD, all the earth: show forth from
day to day His Salvation. Declare His
glory among the heathen, His marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be
praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but
the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honor
are in His presence: strength and gladness are in His place. 1 Chronicles, Chapter 16, verses 23-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a
vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee,
and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this
city. Acts, Chapter 18, verses 9-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t know the exact title, but this must be where
they got the idea for the song that includes: <i>Be not afraid, for I am with thee always</i>…This song is very
comforting to my daughter who remembers this when she is feeling stressed.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in
unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shown it unto them. For the
invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the
glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own
bodies between themselves: Who changed the Truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for
ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them
up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into
that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural
use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working
that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their
error which was meet. And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with
all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full
of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity whisperers, Backbiters, haters of
God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit
such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in
them that do them. Romans, Chapter 1,
verses 17-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b> Throughout the Bible, God gives us
direction for our lives. He lets us know
through the passages which things will lead us in the direction that He wants
and which things have the potential to lead us down the wrong paths. This passage is noteworthy because it
mentions a variety of lifestyle and behavior choices that displease God. Although we are to pay attention to these to
make our choices accordingly, God doesn’t give us the right to judge others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b> Who are we to cast the first
stone? I think it’s important to
remember: <i>Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 1-2,
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For
with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you again.</i> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b> So, although God gives us guidance,
we are not to be rude or hateful to others, regardless of whether their
lifestyle, sexual preferences or religious beliefs are different than
ours. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by
nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law
unto themselves: Which show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their
conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or
else excusing one another. In the day
when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to My
Gospel. Romans, Chapter 2, verses 14-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Our family had a policy that if our children told
the truth, there would be a lighter consequence to try to reinforce their being
honest. I remember hearing my pre-school
aged son at the other end of the house saying, “Truth, Mommy. Truth,” when he had done something that he knew
he wasn’t supposed to do.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m proud to say that my children have grown to trust
the instincts that God gives them through their conscience, much more than I
ever did.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Pray for us: for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Hebrews, Chapter 13, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou
not thyself? thou that preachest a man
should not steal, dost thou steal?
Romans, Chapter 2, verse 21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Actually, there is more that goes with this
passage. I just took out the part that
relates to me. When I was in high
school, I was visiting a church one time with my mother. The sermon was especially interesting. It talked about a parent who was called to
the Police Station because their child had gotten arrested for stealing some
pens from a local store. The thing the
parent said to the child was, “Why would you steal pens when I can get all the
pens you want from my work?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We, as Christians, may have double standards just
like this parent did. Sometimes we are
examples of negative things without really realizing what we’re doing. When we are being examples of how God works
in our lives, we need to make sure all our actions and words glorify Him. We have to realize that we are giving others
a message whether it’s taking things from work or laughing at jokes that put
down people who are different than we are.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the
Law: but if thou be a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision is made
uncircumcision. Therefore if the
uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision
be counted for circumcision? Romans,
Chapter 2, verses 25-26. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose
praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans, Chapter 2, verse 29.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There was a time when people thought that if they
were Jewish and followed some basic laws like circumcision, they could do
whatever they wanted and were saved because Jews were the chosen people. This passage clarifies that just being Jewish
or following rules like circumcision won’t get us Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I guess what this all boils down to is, God knows
what is in our hearts and whether we live as examples of how Jesus works in our
lives or not. This is going to be more
of a determiner of our Salvation than any outward signs like being circumcised
or being of a particular ethnic or cultural group.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what Law?
Of works? Nay: but by the Law of
faith. Therefore we conclude that a man
is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is One
God which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through
faith. Do we then make void the Law
through faith? God forbid: yea, we
establish the Law. Romans, Chapter 3,
verses 27-31.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians, Chapter 5, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule,
peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> of God. Galatians, Chapter 6, verses 15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience experience, and
experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us; For when we were
yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans, Chapter 5, verses 3-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Don’t you just admire people who can thank God in
the midst of all types of disaster and tribulation? I remember when I would get frustrated when
things didn’t turn out the way I wanted.
My father would tell me that those experiences gave me character. I think God is telling us the same thing in
this passage that my father used to tell me.
If I’m cursing God when things go wrong, am I being a good example of
how Jesus works in my life?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The best example I have ever seen of people
glorifying God in the midst of extreme tribulation, next to Job, goes to my
aunt and her family who experienced an unusually tragic loss of loved
ones. Some would have been bitter and
hateful, but they were examples of their faith to all those who were touched by
this loss. I’m not sure I would have
fared as well, but God in His infinite mercy will bless them with The Peace
Which Passes All Understanding to survive the pain of their loss.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned. Romans, Chapter 5, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Nope, none of us is better or more apt to be saved
than another. We are all sinners. Adam was the first man that sinned and we
have continued to perpetuate that plight.
Fortunately for us, Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice so we all have
the same opportunity for Salvation through our faith in Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came
upon all men to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of One the free Gift
came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans, Chapter 5, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For the wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans, Chapter 6, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all
be made alive. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>1 Corinthians, Chapter 15, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if
ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. For ye have
not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans, Chapter 8, verses 13-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Choose Your Own Adventure books were pretty popular
at one time. You would be reading an
adventure story and then were given choices.
If you turned to one set of pages listed, the story would end one way
and if you turned to some of the other pages listed, it would end totally
different ways.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We can live worldly lives of the flesh and have a
less than pleasant ending or we can realize where we have gone off-track and
turn our lives around to focus on God and what He wants for us. When we choose to live through the Spirit, we
will have eternal life with Jesus in heaven.
Which ending do you choose????<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I
will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have
compassion. So then it is not of him
that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Romans,
Chapter 9, verses 15-16.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are religious groups that believe that if they
“will” things to happen, “visualize things,” “use the god power within them” or
use the “power of positive thinking,” everything will turn out the way they
want.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Things might turn out the way they want because
Satan uses things like this to work a subtle wedge in their relationship with
God. It’s similar to what happens when
people read horoscopes where they start out reading it for fun, but after
awhile they become more and more dependant on it. If things turn out well after a person “wills
it,” or uses “the god power within them” or “visualizes” things the way they
want, they are much more apt to do this again the next time rather than turn to
God, asking Him to provide for their every need. They don’t even realize they are drifting
further and further from what God wants, as evidenced through this Bible verse.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
Salvation. For the Scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew
and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon
Him. For whosoever shall call upon the
Name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans,
Chapter 10, verses 9-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The Bible doesn’t say, “People who do nice things
for others,” are saved. It doesn’t say,
“People of only a particular ethnic background,” are saved. It doesn’t say, “Whoever uses the god-power
within them is saved.” It doesn’t say,
“People who believe in God as they understand Him,” are saved. It doesn’t say, “Whoever thinks positively”
or “wills things” is saved.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It does say in verse nine: “<i>That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Pure and simple, that’s what you have to do to be
saved!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for
he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou
shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and
if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying
namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:
therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.
Romans, Chapter 13, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God had this passage written for people like
me who get caught up in trying to remember too many things and end up
forgetting most of it. This way I don’t
have to remember all types of different rules about being a Christian. In order to lead my life as an example of how
God works through me, I just have to remember one rule: <i>Love thy neighbor as
thyself. </i>This covers everything
else.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I contemplate talking rudely to a sales person
who has been less than courteous to me, all I have to do is think, “Is this how
God would want me to treat someone else?”
I wish I could say I always remember that before I give a sarcastic
reply, but it often pops in my mind and I’m less apt to respond hatefully. I definitely am not perfect but want to work
toward being a better example of how God works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to
doubtful disputations. For one believeth
that he may eat all things: another, who is weak eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that
eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God
hath received him. Who art thou that
judgest another man’s servant? To his
own Master he standeth or falleth. Yea,
he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another:
another esteemeth every day alike. Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that
regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he
giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and
giveth God thanks. Romans, Chapter 14,
verses 1-6. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but
judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in
his brother’s way. I know, and am
persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to
him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat,
now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy
not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost. For he that in these things
serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things
which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil
for that man who eateth with offence. It
is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy
brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in
that thing which he alloweth. And he
that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans, Chapter 14, verses 13-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These passages have influenced my life in a number
of ways. I had been struggling for years
about whether we should be going to church on Saturday or on Sunday, or whether
it was okay to eat meat or not. I admire
my aunt and uncle who are very devout Christians who go to church on a
different day and eat somewhat differently than I do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God says that whether we eat meat or not, or go to
church on Saturday or Sunday doesn’t determine our Salvation. Our Salvation is because of our faith in
Jesus and living as an example of how He works in our lives. What matters is that we follow our beliefs.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He also tells us that we aren’t supposed to taunt
others because their beliefs are different than ours by putting a stumbling
block before them. An example would be,
having friends over for dinner who don’t eat meat for religious reasons and
only having meat courses, putting them in an awkward position.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We need to support others and not be
judgmental. I need to keep focusing on
God to lead me in the direction that He wants instead of worrying about what
everyone else is doing or not doing. It
sounds like these details don’t matter to Him as long as they are done to
glorify God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither,
if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty
of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 8, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in
all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lustest after, according to the blessing of
the LORD thy God which He hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat
thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.
Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water. Deuteronomy, Chapter 12, verses 15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope. Now the God
of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another
according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans, Chapter 15, verses 4-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I get upset about things or worried about
family situations, I will often pick up the Bible. I don’t usually open it to the spot where I
left off the last time. I pick up the
Bible with both hands and open it and read whatever is on those pages. I always say a little prayer first for God to
take care of my understanding, comprehension and retention. Although it doesn’t happen every time, it’s
amazing how many times I open the Bible to pages that specifically relate to my
particular situation. I feel God guides
me to the particular pages He wants me to read which calm me down and comfort
me, just like this passage says.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Know ye not that ye are the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the <st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of
<st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename>, him shall God destroy; for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3, verses 16-17.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have heard that some religions have interpreted
this passage to say that Christians shouldn’t get their ears pierced or get
tattoos but that isn’t what this passage means to me. This passage is telling me that I’m a
Christian 24/7 (24 hours a day/7 days a week) and God dwells in me all the
time.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My actions, thoughts, words and deeds make me a
walking billboard for God. A billboard
works as an advertisement to draw people toward a particular business. If the sign were sloppy, had misspellings or
poor grammar, the billboard would reflect poorly on the owner of the business.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, if I go out and get drunk, take drugs, am rude
to others or use God’s Name in vain, it’s like I’ve used bad grammar on my billboard
which would reflect poorly on God who dwells in me. I need to make sure that I’m attempting to
live in a manner that makes me a good example of how God works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for
me. Galatians, Chapter 2, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I wrote to you in an epistle not to company with
fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of
the world. But now I have written unto
you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator,
or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;
with such an one no not to eat. For what
have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that
wicked person. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5,
verses 9-13. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God talks to us through Paul like a parent
talks to their teenager about people who might be poor influences on them. A parent might say something like, “I think
it’s very important for you to be cautious about what type of people you hang
around with at school. Now, I want you
to be polite to everyone, because we aren’t to be judgmental of others, but we
are supposed to be aware of the lifestyle choices others make.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>“Although you may have the best of intentions,
sometimes other people’s bad habits rub off on us even without our being aware
of it. So, it’s important that you don’t
hang with kids that you think do drugs, drink, and party or are rude and
crude. I know it’s hard because some of
the kids who make poor choices are the ones who seem the most popular. I hope you know that I’m only telling you
this because I love you. I just don’t
want to see you get involved with the wrong type of people.” Well, I think God often guides us like a
loving parent, as well.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related
passage:<i> <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath Light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel? 2
Corinthians, Chapter 6, verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And the woman which hath an husband that believeth
not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by
the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your
children unclean; but now are they holy.
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in
such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or
how knowest thou, O man whether thou shalt save thy wife? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 7, verses 13-16.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God gives His approval for staying in a good
marriage with a non-Christian spouse, because you might be able to lead your
spouse to Christianity through your relationship with God. On the other hand, I think it says that if
you’re in an unhealthy relationship, whether the person does or doesn’t profess
to be a Christian, God absolves us from our marital commitment.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, some may think this passage doesn’t apply to
them because God only absolves them if their partner is a non-Christian. Do you really think a person is a Christian
just because they say they are? Don’t
you think they are supposed to be a “Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is
Christian,” by really living a life that reflects their belief in Jesus?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So, if a spouse drinks up all the money in the house
and there’s no money to pay for food or clothes for the children, do you really
think God considers this person a Christian?
If a spouse is so involved in drugs or other vices and causes constant
turmoil in the family, do you really think God considers this person a
Christian? If a spouse has a hard day at
work and hits the kids or you, do you really think God considers this person a
Christian just because they profess to be one?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think that God is saying the “till death do you
part” portion of your marriage vow doesn’t apply because God said, “<i>A
brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.”</i> Sure, God would like all marriages to work
out and doesn’t want people to leave just because they feel they may have missed
out on all the fun that they think their single friends are having. That isn’t what this is discussing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God loves the non-Christian, the alcoholic, the drug
addict and the abusive person, all of which can turn their lives around and
become Christian. This would have to be
more than just saying they are a Christian.
They would have to really live their lives as a Christian.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes we just aren’t the ones who can bring
these people to God. Male or female, we
have to be able to assess whether we are in a healthy environment for ourselves
and our children. If we aren’t, we are
absolved from the “till death do you part” commitment, because being in an
unhealthy or life-threatening environment isn’t what God would want for any of
us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now all these things happened unto them for
examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the
world are come. Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but
will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 10, verses
11-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As Christians, we will have our share of
temptations. Do you really think Satan
just sits back and says, “Oh, they’re Christians. I’ll leave them alone. Well, God’s got one up on me.” That isn’t my impression of Satan. I feel he tries to lead Christians astray in
a wide variety of ways. Sometimes they
are really obvious ways like: money, drinking, drugs, gambling, infidelity,
etc.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes, Satan works in very subtle ways like:
eating, control issues, gossiping, etc.
God is telling us that although He knows we are going to be tempted, we
will never be tempted beyond our capabilities as long as we focus on Him. He will never leave us, but we are in control
of the choices we make. I pray that I
always choose God rather than the temptations that Satan dangles in front of
me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>All things are lawful for me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man
another’s wealth. 1 Corinthians, Chapter
10, verses 23-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God says that “Balance in All Things” is
good. Having money, a house and a car
are alright to own, but too much focus on any of these can lead us astray.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In addition to that, focusing on worldly goods makes
us poor examples of how God works in our lives.
We are supposed to focus on helping others rather than “Getting Ahead in
the World.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this
Cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He comes.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among
you, and many sleep. For if we would
judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not
be condemned with the world. 1
Corinthians, Chapter 11, verses 26-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants me to do some self-reflection before I
have communion. It’s important,
especially for “Self-righteous Christians” like me, to have some humbling time
to think about all my shortcomings. It
doesn’t only mean the major vices. Some
of us get big heads because we don’t think we have those obvious vices that
others might have. We often need to be
taken down a notch because we are just as sinful.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We aren’t to think our sins aren’t as great as
someone else’s and feel that we are more worthy than they are. We are just as sinful by the subtle things we
allow to creep into our lives. These
keep us from being the Christian that God wants us to be. Times when we were less than patient and
loving with our families, the times we yelled at someone on the freeway, the
times we were gossiping with others, etc.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is saying it is better for us to have periodic
reflective time now, judging ourselves rather than continuing to live our
sinful, self-righteous lives. That is
preferable to finding out later from God on the Last Day that we didn’t make
the “final cut.” That’s one eye opener I
don’t want, so I need to start by making changes in my life today!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. There are differences of
administrations, but the same Lord. And
there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all
in all. But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal: For to one is given by the
Spirit the Word of wisdom; to another Word of knowledge by the same
Spirit. To another faith by the same
Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the
working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to
another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the
selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so
also is Christ. For by One Spirit are we
all baptized into One Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or
free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit. For the Body is not one member, but
many. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12, verses
4-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants us to know that He gives everyone
particular talents in which to glorify Him.
He doesn’t want us to become big headed thinking we are better than
someone who doesn’t have our particular talent.
God tells us that we are all working together as one unit on His
behalf. Similarly, there are many
different body parts that work together for the good of the whole, just as each
member of the body has a different function.
No particular body member is greater than another.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This particular passage talks about speaking in
tongues as being one of the gifts. I
don’t really know enough about this to really address it. What I do know is this passage tells me that
although God may have given me particular talents to glorify Him, I should not
be judging people who have talents that I don’t understand. Just because their talents are different,
doesn’t make them wrong. Christians
should be supportive of one another, regardless.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling
cymbal. And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my
goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing. Charity
suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself;
is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the Truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things. Charity never
faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
away. For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>1 Corinthians, Chapter 13,
verses 1-9. <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity. 1
Corinthians, Chapter 13, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I love this passage.
It tells me that I can profess to be a good Christian and do all kinds
of things that look generous to others.
Unless I live the life of a Christian by being genuinely charitable in
my actions, loving my neighbors, my enemies or those that believe differently
than I do, then I’m all talk.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There was a song we learned in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Vacation</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bible</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> years ago called <i>If You’re a Christian and You Know It</i>. Well, it says that if you were a Christian
then your face would really show it, clap your hands. I think it should say instead that if you were
a Christian, then your life will really show it. That’s the true indicator of being a
Christian, not what we look like on the outside to others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians,
Chapter 15, verse 55-58.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember my father and
I being in the hospital with each of us -holding one of my grandmother’s hands
as she passed away. She didn’t fight it
and she seemed to be at peace with the idea of joining God in heaven.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related
passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take My
yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall
find rest unto your souls. For My yoke
is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 28-30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the
God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be
able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 2-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There were times in my
life when things were not as smooth as they are now. I was fortunate that I had family members and
friends to comfort me and to remind me that God would get me through them…and
He did!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians, Chapter
4, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is another one of the Bible passages that
confirms my focus on God rather than us: “willing” things, using the “power of
positive thinking”, “using the god power within me” or “visualizing” things the
way you want them to be. It’s not just
someone’s opinion or someone’s philosophy.
God tells us in this passage and throughout the Bible that He wants us
to focus on Him.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think it’s important for you to know that I’m not
just giving my opinion, because there is a religious basis for my belief
related to passages in the Bible. It’s
very important as a Christian, to check things out. A lot of different religious beliefs sound
really good or plausible. Some have
isolated passages from the Bible to support them. That’s using the Bible out of context. I doubt if all who do this mean to be
deceitful, but concepts and beliefs out of alignment with the Bible may
possibly be leading people astray, no matter how plausible the belief sounds. Remember to check these things out for
yourself. It’s YOUR Salvation that’s in
question!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians,
Chapter 4, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Part of this passage is in a song my church
sings. I like the message that
Christians don’t let things get the best of us, because we know God is there on
our side.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look
not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the
things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are
eternal. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4,
verses 17-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes I get caught up in feeling sorry for
myself. When I think of this, my
troubles are very insignificant compared to the suffering Jesus went through to
save us from our sins. After I think of
all He went through on my behalf, I feel guilty for the petty things I worry
about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For I the
Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help
thee. Isaiah, Chapter 41, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know my comparison can’t come anywhere close to
the impact this passage has on our lives as Christians. In my second grade class I have a Good
Choices Chart. Those who are making good
choices have their clothes pins in a particular area of the chart. There is another area of the chart where
students move their clothes pin if they make poor choices as a reminder for
them to refocus. I like to empower
students so that they feel capable of turning things around. I let them do things to help around the class
to earn it off. Afterwards, they can put
their clothespin back in the good choices section. Students start all over with their
clothespins in the Good Choices section each and every day.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, Salvation is kind of like this chart. When we are behaving in sinful ways and are
caught up in a self-focused lifestyle, our clothespins would be in the poor
choices section. Sometimes God will have
things happen in our lives, drawing our attention to our need to refocus. Once we ask God for forgiveness and try to
turn our lives around, we don’t have to do something tangible to earn off the
clothespin. Jesus did that for us
through His death and Resurrection! We
just need to do our best to continue to live as examples of how God works in
our lives. When we slip, just like the
chart, everyday we have a fresh start.
God never gives up on us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><b>
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off
occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be
found even as we. For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as
the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their
works. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, verses
12-15.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage reminds us to be careful to not be
deceived. There will be people who say
they are Christians, proposing beliefs that sound good but will lead many
astray. It goes on to say that Satan transforms
himself into a minister of righteousness to mislead people.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I always remember Jim Jones who was a minister years
ago. He took a group of “believers” to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jonestown</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Guyana</st1:country-region></st1:place>. These people must have been very devoted to
their “beliefs.” I’m not sure that if
push came to shove that I would leave my home and family to go to another
country just because someone told me this is what God wanted me to do. Anyway, they must have been very dedicated to
leave everything and everyone behind.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jim Jones either convinced or tricked these
“believers” into committing suicide when the authorities got too involved. Well, although these were very committed
“believers” who gave up all for their faith in God, it was for nothing. They gave up all their things, friends,
family and lives for a very disturbed minister who led these people to believe
he was doing the will of God. (If you
want more details; look up the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana during 1978.) Did these people find Salvation? I can’t speak to that, but it’s highly
questionable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We don’t want to find ourselves misled by others who
profess to be followers of God. I think
it’s very important for all Christians to check things out in the Bible. Don’t take things for granted just because
someone else says them, whether it’s a minister, a devoted Christian, me,
someone on a Christian Channel or Radio Station. It’s very easy to take a verse or two out of
the Bible and make it support just about anything. That’s considered using the Bible passages
out of context.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Reading a chapter before the passage and after the
passage is beneficial. Each chapter is
about a page or two. This gives you a
better idea of what the quoted Bible verses really mean. That’s why I always tell you where I get the
Bible passages. I want you to be able to
look them up and verify them. It’s a
very important thing to do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You need to look at the people who have an influence
on your religious life. What type of
lifestyle do they lead? Are they running
in the fast lane? Are they preaching
something that has become very popular or a fad type of belief? Are they taking too much credit for things
rather than keeping the focus on God?
Are they putting an undue emphasis on giving money? Be cautious about who you give ultimate
control of your religious life. Check
things out. Passages like this one
remind me that very dedicated believers can still be misled by others as in the
Jonestown Massacre. It pays to check
things out. It may have a direct impact
on your Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. As we said before, so say I
now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed.
Galatians, Chapter 1, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil
way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good
things in possession. Proverbs, Chapter
28, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy
lies in My Name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake
unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of
nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in
My Name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in
this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be
cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and
they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their
daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them. Jeremiah, Chapter 14, verses 14-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For many shall
come in My Name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me. And He said unto
me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I
rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 12, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is really from Paul speaking about a vision he
had from God. Even though he asked Jesus
to take away his burden, His reply was, “<i>My
grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.</i>”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It reminds me of when God asked Moses to talk to the
Pharaoh to let God’s people go and for Moses to lead these people to the
Promised Land. Moses told God that he
wouldn’t make a very good leader because he wasn’t a good speaker. God told him not to worry about it because he
was the person that God wanted to lead His people. (Paraphrased)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m ashamed to say that there have been times when
God has led me to be a witness to someone else and I told God through my
actions, “That’s not my thing, God. I’m
not the type who is good at confronting people and telling them about you. Why don’t you save it for someone else from
those other religions that don’t mind being embarrassed by going door to door
and confronting people? Now, if you need
someone to do a low-risk thing like saying a prayer for someone or giving a
little money to the needy, then I’m your person.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to remember that God will take care of my
weaknesses if I let Him, and will provide the strength necessary to do whatever
He wants, just like He did for Moses.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works
of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians Chapter 2, verse 16.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are people who
think that if they are good people they will have Salvation, but they don’t
actively believe in Jesus Christ. This
doesn’t necessarily mean they have to attend church regularly. There are some people who attend church
regularly that may or may not receive Salvation because of their lifestyle
choices. Attending church isn’t a sole
indicator of a person’s belief in Christ.
That is a personal matter between God and them. Isn’t it neat that God makes all of these
decisions on an individual basis?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Anyway, the requirement
for Salvation is to believe that Jesus Christ is Savior of all. Now, this isn’t an isolated thing. That belief needs to be an active part of our
life. It’s not just something we should
think about every six years when a relative dies and you think about them going
to heaven to be with God. It’s supposed
to be a daily part of our lives. That’s
what I mean. This passage is saying that
we don’t get Salvation by just following the Law; it’s our faith in Jesus
Christ that saves us, but we are still supposed to be examples of how Jesus
works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related
passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Neither yield ye your
members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto
God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God. For sin shall
not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not
under the Law, but under grace? God
forbid. Romans 6, verses 13-15.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no
flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the
Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets; Even the righteousness
of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that
believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that
is in Christ Jesus. Romans, Chapter 3,
verses 20-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it
was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe
on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans, Chapter 4, verses 23-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans, Chapter 5, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But that no man is justified by the Law in the
sight of God, it is evident; for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians, Chapter 3, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding
riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians, Chapter 2, verses 7-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one
another. Galatians, Chapter 5, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Our faith in God gives us a lot of freedom. I know I don’t have to worry about my kids
starving because I know that God will provide food for my family since He says
so in the Bible. Realizing things like
this has freed up my life so much that it’s difficult to explain.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Recognizing this, we have some choices. We could say, “Well, I know that God won’t
let us starve, so I could take the money I used to set aside from the budget
for food and go out drinking with my friends who have been asking me for some
time. In the past, I had told them no
because I couldn’t afford it. Now, I can
go out and party with them because God will make sure the kids don’t go
hungry.” I’m not sure that God would be
pleased with this decision. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s a choice that God gives us. Instead, I could say, “Since I don’t have to
spend so much time worrying about my family having enough to eat the way I used
to, I can spend my extra time helping the elderly neighbor across the street by
cleaning her house or watering her plants.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which
I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no Law. Galatians,
Chapter 5, verses 19-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When others react to my not wanting to watch shows
with witchcraft, demonic or satanic themes, I feel vindicated when I read this
passage. When it says people who
demonstrate those negative choices won’t inherit the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>,
it doesn’t sound like God is just mildly annoyed if people do the things listed
in this passage. My desire is to stay
committed to what I know God wants rather than to buckle under when I know they
disapprove.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians, Chapter 5, verses 25-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In high school, I
remember running for Sophomore Secretary.
(I always remember how to spell secretary, because I spelled it
incorrectly on every banner I displayed throughout the school.) My opponent was also a member of the Drill
Team. I had tried out for the Drill Team
but wasn’t selected.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My envy of my opponent
led me to tell others that she really didn’t deserve the Sophomore Secretary
position that I coveted. I told them
that her other obligations were too time consuming for her to do a good job for
the Sophomore Class.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It was a very humbling
experience for me when she won the election for Sophomore Secretary. I hate to think of how spiteful I had been,
because I let that position become too important in my life. I definitely wasn’t being a very good example
to others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. For
he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in
due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians, Chapter 6, verses 7-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of the rock stars who have gotten
caught up in all the fame and money and end up has-beens because of drug,
alcohol and counterproductive choices they make in their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then I think of Mother Teresa and all the wonderful,
selfless things she did for others during her life. Although, I wouldn’t be the envy of all my
neighbors, I would rather work toward having similar attributes as Mother Teresa,
with my focus on God’s Will for me rather than living and dying in the fast
lane.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In whom we have redemption through His Blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians, Chapter 1, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes I get a little arrogant and self-righteous
and think about the good things that I think I’m doing for others. Passages like this are very humbling. They remind me of how Jesus gave His life for
us. That’s why I have my Salvation, not
from any things I do to earn it. The
things that we do for others need to be for God, out of love. They shouldn’t be to draw attention to
ourselves or for us to become smug, thinking we are good Christians because we
do these things.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that
ye, being rooted and grounded in love.
Ephesians, Chapter 3, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like the mental picture that I get when I think of
Christ dwelling in my heart. I break His
heart when I focus on making worldly choices.
I get caught up in looking at all the angles to save a dime, not
necessarily because I need to. It’s more
of an intellectual challenge to find my very best deal and it’s exhilarating to
find a bargain!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I go to purchase things, I often look at all
the prices that are stamped on the items.
Sometimes they mislabel them, pricing an item considerably lower than
all the rest. I know it must be some
type of error but I’ve taken it to the cash register, exhilarated because I
have found this great deal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I try to rationalize it in my mind, saying that it’s
the store’s fault for mislabeling things and they have to live up to their
error or it is false advertising. Then I
usually get a strong, intense feeling that I’m doing something against my religious
principals. I know that I’m not being a
good example of how God works in my life and I generally tell the cashier about
the price difference.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I say generally, because writing this has made me
aware that I just did this recently and I didn’t draw it to the cashier’s
attention. We were driving through <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Kansas</st1:state></st1:place> on the way to see
my grandkiddos for Christmas. I have a
very good friend whose daughter collects Wizard of Oz memorabilia. I saw this figurine I wanted to get for her
daughter and I found one that was marked $3.00 less than all the others on the
shelf. I rationalized this by telling
myself that it’s from an older shipment that was marked the lower price,
thinking the newer ones were marked the higher price. This time, I never told the cashier.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I feel terrible about this, because I feel like I am
being a hypocrite as I write this to you.
It just so happened that I still had the receipt. I just went to see if it had an address on
it, but it didn’t. Of course, that would
have been the chicken way out! It would
have been pretty easy to send this person $3.00 in the mail. It did have the phone number on the receipt,
so I called.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I apologized and wanted her address to send her the
money. (They don’t have mail service for
the turnpike businesses.) When she told
me that wasn’t necessary, I explained that I consider myself a Christian and
needed to live by my Christian ethics and I hadn’t. I knew there had been a $3.00 difference in
the price of the figurines and hadn’t brought it to her attention.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>She told me not to worry about it, but I do—not
because of the $3.00. It bothers me that
I could find it so easy to backslide into old worldly ways when I think I’m
making great strides at being the person that God wants me to be.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This has been a very humbling experience for
me. Satan can sneak into our lives
through very subtle things and I let him do it without even batting an
eye! Fortunately, Jesus dwells in my
heart and lets me know when I’m not living the life that He wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians, Chapter 3, verse 19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It truly is difficult to comprehend how God works in
our lives. I remember growing up
thinking that God was this distant, glorious being who was there to take care
of us when we had important issues. Now,
I have found that if I pray to Him with little things like the key not turning
over in the ignition or ask Him to find something I’m looking for, He is there
taking care of even the smallest of my worries.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And to know the love of Christ; which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh
in us. Unto Him be glory in the church
by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians, Chapter 3, verses 19-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was concerned that this
passage might be one that people who focus on using “the god power within them”
might use to support their belief in this erroneous concept. This passage has listed Colossians, Chapter
1, verse 29 as a cross-reference. It is
really helpful to read this for clarification of what the passage in Ephesians
really means.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His
working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians, Chapter 1, verse 29.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These two passages aren’t
talking about using “the god power within me” to acquire the things you wish to
attain or to accomplish. What this is
talking about, from what I understand, is that God works through us for His
glory when we are the examples He wants us to be. An illustration might be that we are there to
support a friend or a co-worker who is at a major turning point in their
life. God was there working through us
by our example. He was there through our
support, our comforting words and our telling them of how our faith in God gets
us through the tough times. He works
through us in our explanation of the positive impact that God has had on our
lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Being an instrument that
God can use to touch the lives of others is a wonderful experience! God works through different people in
different ways, just like the passage I wrote about earlier that says God gives
us each different types of gifts to glorify Him. (Paraphrased)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But unto every one of us is given grace according to
the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now
that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower
parts of the earth? He that descended is
the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all
things.) And He gave some, apostles; and
some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
Body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 7-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think about a watch with its back
taken off. There are all kinds of
mechanisms and gears in a watch. Each
gear and mechanism looks a little different from each other and does something
a little different, but all the gears and mechanisms of the watch work together
with one ultimate goal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think Christians are like the gears and mechanisms
of the watch. We all have different
gifts and abilities, but should all have the one unifying and ultimate goal of
being the examples God wants us to be.
We might all do this in different ways.
Some might go door to door sharing their love for Jesus, while someone
else does this by asking a friend to go to church with them. Some accomplish this by giving their money,
their time or their talents to do God’s work.
Still others do God’s work through being a good example of how Christ
works in their life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Hopefully all, regardless of their gifts, take the
time to pray for those who don’t know Christ in their lives, since they all
have the same ultimate and unifying goal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>As every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. If any man speak, let him speak as
the oracles of God, if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which
God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen. 1 Peter, Chapter 4, verses
10-11.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the
Truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ. Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses
14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some people appear to act as if they are marionettes
like Pinocchio and others act like real people.
The ones who act like marionettes, similar to Pinocchio, seem to blame
everyone else and circumstances for all the things that happen in their
lives. They act as if they are powerless
puppets and others are pulling all their marionette strings, controlling their
lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">The ones who seem to be real
people realize that they make choices</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> in their lives that impact the things that happen to
them. If things don’t turn out the way
they want, they look at the choices they are making and make changes that ultimately
turn their lives around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think that God wants us, as Christians, to be real
people. Ones who can change our choices
if we find our lives aren’t going in the direction that would glorify God. He doesn’t want us to be marionettes like
Pinocchio, being led astray by those who promise the fun and excitement of the
worldly life. He doesn’t want us to feel
like we have no control over our choices and are powerless to change our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If you have spent your life feeling powerless like
Pinocchio, God is here to cut the strings that bind you and lead you
astray. He can make you the real
Christian you want to be. You can turn
to Him to help you make the necessary changes…no strings attached! (I couldn’t resist adding that!)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That ye put off concerning the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed
in the Spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man Truth with his neighbour
for we are members one of another.
Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 22-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage is basically saying that once you
become a Christian, you should start living the life of a Christian, putting
away your old sinful behaviors. It makes
me think of a time when I went to the grocery store with coupons in hand; ready
to cut my expenses big time! I remember having
a coupon for ten cents off of a particular brand of raisins. I didn’t want that brand of raisins,
though. It probably was considerably
more expensive even with the ten cent off coupon. I ended up getting the cheaper box of
raisins, knowing it wasn’t the right brand for the coupon.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I rationalized my actions, thinking it was only a
dime. I gave the cashier the ten cent
off coupon deliberately mixed in between all my other coupons, hoping she
didn’t realize that I had substituted the cheaper brand for the more expensive
one.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>She told me the total for my groceries and I started
writing my check and had to stop. This
situation impacted my life! The cashier
didn’t realize I was lying and was stealing by substituting the cheaper brand
of raisins for the coupon I used. I knew
and what was worse, God knew! Was my
loss of integrity worth the ten cents I was saving? (It’s funny how Satan can sneak up on some of
us “Self-righteous Christians,” in very subtle ways.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I immediately gave her ten cents for the raisins,
telling her that I was sorry I had gotten a more expensive brand than the
coupon stated. She told me not to worry
about it, it was just a dime. I told her
that I wanted her to take the dime anyway, saying I knew I had taken the wrong
raisins and I wouldn’t feel right unless she took the money. Actually, I thought she would be horrified
that I would do such a thing. I was
prepared to be totally embarrassed by the cashier’s reaction because I really
deserved it, but it didn’t happen that way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I didn’t have an obvious consequence for my
actions. It was more the realization
that I was lying to God and myself. I
was jeopardizing my Salvation over money.
I’m fortunate that God has this situation pop back in my mind as a
reminder from time to time. It’s
especially helpful when I’m a “Looking at the Angles Christian,” figuring out
some kind of angle to beat the system or I’m wording things very carefully so
that I’m not telling the whole truth in situations, but not exactly telling a
lie, either.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m very thankful that God gives me a conscience to
remind me when I start slipping into old human ways again.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down
upon your wrath. Ephesians, Chapter 4,
verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have always heard this Bible verse used in
relation to marriage. I really believe
whole-heartedly that this is good advice for both adults and children. There have been nights when I have gone to
bed frustrated with a family member and then this verse pops into my head. (I’m so glad God looks after me that
way!) I get back up and work things out
with whichever family member I need to.
I get a good night’s sleep, feeling the situation has been peacefully
resolved, which sets a good example for the rest of the family. When we hold onto grudges and anger, it eats
away at us and doesn’t make us very good examples of how God works in our
lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger
resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him
labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to
give to him that needeth. Ephesians,
Chapter 4, verse 28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was about ten years old, I talked a neighbor
into going to the local “Candy Store.” I
talked him into stealing some candy, graham crackers and gum ball rings with
me. I even talked him into going back to
do the same thing a second time.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I stopped doing that. No, I never got caught and no one ever told
on me. I just didn’t feel right
inside. I knew I had stolen and so did
God. No matter what I did, I couldn’t
rationalize things. God knew it and I
knew it. It was as simple as that! All I could think to do at the time was to
stop stealing and to become a better example of how God works in my life. (I guess I should have gone to make amends to
the store owner, but that didn’t cross my mind until about 20 years later.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, as a school teacher, I remember this situation
when I find one of my students stealing something. (It’s kind of funny, every year I have a
student who takes a big handful of the play money that I use for math. When I talk to them, they always try to tell
me that a relative gave it to them.)
Then, I tell them about when I was about their age and stole too. I talk about how I didn’t like how I felt
inside because I knew I stole, so I stopped stealing. I ask them if I’m a bad person now. (They always tell me no.) Then, I ask them if stealing was a poor
choice? I tell them they are right. Stealing is a poor choice, but we don’t have
to continue to steal. I tell them that I
have confidence that they can turn things around just like I did.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes I get concerned when youngsters do
something wrong and label themselves as “bad people”. I think they sometimes start behaving like
they think “bad people” behave. It’s so
important for kids to realize that they aren’t “bad people,” but have just made
poor choices and are able to turn it around and to make better choices. This is important to remember the next time a
child does something that upsets you. We
want them to realize how to make better choices in the future, rather than
staying focused on all the poor choices that they have made in their
lives. I’m so glad that God has been
much more forgiving of me than I have been of others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians,
Chapter 5, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know a lot of churches are against drinking. I’m not especially fond of it myself and I’m
very concerned for those who have family members who drink to excess. I do toast the bride and groom at weddings,
but I really just don’t like the taste of alcohol. Based on this passage and several others in
the Bible, I don’t think that having a drink every now and then is against
God’s principles. I think it’s that some
people don’t just have one drink every now and then…or their every now and then
becomes an all too regular pattern. I
think God doesn’t want anyone to drink to excess or, for that matter, to do
anything to excess.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not including this verse to support “those who
drink a little too regularly”. That’s
not what this is about. I feel that it’s
my privilege in writing this book to be able to convey things to the best of my
ability that have influenced my life.
Knowing God gave me permission to have an occasional drink but not to do
it to excess, has helped be a guide for my life. I don’t think I have hardly ever had a second
drink or a third. I just don’t see any
point in trying to find out just how many drinks it takes to lead to drinking
in excess. Getting caught up in
repetitive social drinking would not make me a very good example of how God
works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and Spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians, Chapter 5, verses 19-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know that over the years I have heard people comment
on music, thinking a wide variety of things.
Some of these comments were less than supportive of music. While this passage isn’t speaking to all
types of music for pleasure, it does sound like God likes us to be singing
hymns and songs that focus on Him and our love for Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I love to sing old familiar hymns from time to time
or make up songs which are prayers in my mind when I’m driving somewhere. There are some songs that are supposed to be
religious songs but come from a wide variety of religious beliefs, some of
which aren’t compatible with my belief in God.
So, I try to be careful, checking out the music I listen to, especially
through the media. I wouldn’t want to find
myself singing along with some song on the radio only to find out the person
who wrote that song believes in Buddha.
That would mean I’m unknowingly singing along with a song about Buddha
instead of God. It pays to check things
out.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>One of the things to remember is that when we sing
to God, it’s one more form of praying.
It’s another one of the many ways that we can glorify God and thank Him
for all He’s done.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then sang
Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I
will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his
rider hath He thrown into the sea. The
Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my Salvation: He is my God and I
will prepare Him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus, Chapter 15, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>All the earth
shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing to Thy Name. Psalm, Chapter 66, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O let the
nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously,
and govern the nations upon the earth.
Selah. Psalm, Chapter 67, verse
4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto
God, sing praises to His Name: extol Him that rideth upon the heavens by His
Name JAH, and rejoice before Him. Psalm,
Chapter 68, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto
God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah: Psalm, Chapter 68, verse 32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I will sing
of the mercies of the LORD forever: with my mouth will I make known Thy
faithfulness to all generations. Psalm,
Chapter 89, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Come, let us
sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our
Salvation. Let us come before His
presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King
above all gods. Psalm, Chapter 95,
verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O sing unto
the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless His Name; show
forth His Salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be
praised: He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm, Chapter 96, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O sing unto
the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right Hand, and
His holy Arm, hath gotten Him the victory.
Psalm, Chapter 98, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Make a joyful
noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing
praise. Sing unto the LORD with the
harp; and the voice of a psalm. With
trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Psalm, Chapter 98, verses 4-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O give thanks
unto the LORD, call upon His Name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; talk ye
of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in
His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Psalm, Chapter 105, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then was our
mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among
the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us;
whereof we are glad. Psalm, Chapter 126,
verses 2-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Praise the
LORD, for the LORD is good: sing praises unto His Name; for it is
pleasant. Psalm, Chapter 125, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*All the kings
of the earth shall praise Thee, O LORD, when they hear the Words of Thy
mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways
of the LORD; for great is the glory of the LORD. Psalm, Chapter 138, verses4-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Praise Ye the
LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will
sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Psalm, Chapter 146, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto the
LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. Psalm, Chapter 147, verse 7. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*In the
transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and
rejoice. Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 6. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Praise ye the
LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and
His praise in the congregation of saints.
Let <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> rejoice in
Him that made him: let the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Zion</st1:city></st1:place>
be joyful in their King. Let them praise
His Name in the dance: let them sing in the dance: let them sing praises unto
Him with the timbrel and harp. For the
LORD taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with
Salvation. Let the saints be joyful in
glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Psalm, Chapter 149, verses 1-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*In that day
shall this song be sung in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Judah</st1:placename></st1:place>; We have a strong city; Salvation will God
appoint for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah,
Chapter 26, verse 1. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The Lord was
ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments
all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. Isaiah, Chapter 38, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto the
LORD a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to
the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof
lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants
of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give
glory unto the LORD, and declare His praise in the islands. Isaiah, Chapter 42, verses 10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing, O ye
heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break
forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the
LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel. Isaiah, Chapter 44, verse 23. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Go ye forth
of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye,
tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath
redeemed His servant Jacob. Isaiah,
Chapter 48, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing, O
heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for
the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His
afflicted. Isaiah, Chapter 49, verse 13.
<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thy watchmen
shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they
shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Zion</st1:city></st1:place>.
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>:
for the LORD hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>.
The LORD hath made bare His Holy Arm in the eyes of all the nations; and
all the ends of the earth shall see the Salvation of our God. Isaiah, Chapter 52, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For as the
rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to
the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of
My Mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out
with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break
forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their
hands. Instead of the thorn shall come
up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it
shall be to the LORD for a Name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut
off. Isaiah, Chapter 55, verses 10-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Behold My
servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and
shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Isaiah, Chapter 65, verse 14. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Sing unto the
LORD, praise ye the LORD: for He hath delivered the soul of the poor from the
hand of evildoers. Jeremiah, Chapter 20,
verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For thus
saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the
nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save Thy people, the remnant
of Israel. Jeremiah, Chapter 31, verse
7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The LORD thy
God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rest in His love, He
will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah, Chapter 3, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And when they
had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew, Chapter 26, verse 30.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as
unto the Lord. For the husband is the
head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the
Saviour of the Body. Therefore as the
church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in
everything. Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it: That He might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be Holy and without blemish. So
ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but
nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members
of His Body, of His Flesh, and of His Bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be
joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak
concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as
himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians, Chapter 5, verses 20-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ease up, now!
I realize that this appears to be a passage that sets the Women’s
Movement back 100 years, but it’s not!
This passage isn’t about women having the right to vote. It’s not about women having equal pay for
equal jobs. This passage is about a
husband and wife being respectful of each other’s needs and treating each other
with the same courtesy and respect that they want. God put man and woman together to support
each other as a UNIT. The marriage wasn’t
meant for two totally separate entities to be fighting to maintain their ability
to be in control of the other.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When God says that the man is the head of the
household doesn’t mean that the man is supposed to arbitrarily make all the
decisions regardless of his wife’s opinions, or vice versa. If the husband and the wife are to be a UNIT,
it should involve discussions on decisions, being respectful of each person’s
opinion.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If the man is to treat the woman as he would treat
his own body and the woman is to do the same, then that means they should be
respectful of each other in all matters.
A husband or a wife wouldn’t beat up their own body, so they should not
beat up their spouse. A husband or a
wife wouldn’t be calling themselves names or saying put-downs about themselves,
so they shouldn’t do it to their spouse-even if it’s funny. It undermines the marriage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A husband or a wife wouldn’t be yelling at
themselves, so they shouldn’t do it to their spouse. A husband or a wife wouldn’t deprive
themselves of their basic needs, so they shouldn’t do it to their spouse. A husband or a wife wouldn’t want their
spouse to be unfaithful to them, so they shouldn’t do it to their spouse. A husband or a wife wouldn’t be hateful and
unforgiving to themselves and their own faults, so they shouldn’t do it to
their spouse. This passage has nothing
to do with the Women’s Movement. It has
only to do with the husband and the wife treating each other with the same
respect and support that they would want to get within the marriage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And He
answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them at the
beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one
flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain,
but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew, Chapter 19, verses 4-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is
right. Honour thy father and mother;
which is the first Commandment with promise;
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth. And ye fathers, provoke not your
children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. Ephesians, Chapter 6, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage also goes both ways. Children are to be respectful of their
parents and to obey their rules. I think
all too many parents only focus on this part of the passage. They forget that they aren’t supposed to
provoke their children to wrath; instead they are to nurture them. This DOES mean that parents are to be
supportive of their children, which does NOT mean that they are to raise their
children by telling them how stupid they are and how they can’t do anything
right.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This DOES mean that parents are to appropriately
discipline their children, which does NOT mean that they are to take all their
frustrations out on their children, yelling at them, hitting them or sexually
abusing them. This DOES mean that
parents are to provide for their children’s physical and emotional needs and
well-being, which does NOT mean that they are supposed to ignore their child’s
basic needs. This DOES mean that parents
are to nurture their children, which does NOT mean overindulging them with their
every wish. This DOES mean that parents
are to set clear and appropriate rules, which does NOT mean being harshly
strict with them or being too lenient either.
This DOES mean that it’s reasonable for parents to expect children to do
chores as a member of the household, but it does NOT mean that they are to
expect their children to do all the household chores, or that the parents do
everything for the child so the child never develops a sense of responsibility.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The child, under the appropriate conditions set
forth in the Bible, is supposed to obey their parents, but the parent isn’t to
provoke them to anger and is to nurture them.
In other words, the parents and the children are to work together in
mutual respect of one another and of God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ. Colossians,
Chapter 2, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not to get caught up in counterproductive
philosophical discussions with other people regarding my faith. There have been times when I have done this and
I began to doubt my own faith or became uncertain about particular issues.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have found that when I read the Bible, so many
things are clarified for me in a way that no person was able to do. I know these answers come from God and are
not some person or group’s philosophical interpretation of the Bible. My faith becomes vulnerable when I let other
people tell me what I should and shouldn’t believe and how I should do it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s kind of like a painting. You spend hours creating a painting and it’s
just right for you. You show it to some
friends and they tell you that you should change the painting in a particular
way. You show the painting to an artist
and he tells you that you should really change these other aspects of the
painting. Lastly, you show the painting
to an art teacher. He tells you that the
painting really should be altered in some totally new way. By the time you ask all of these different
people’s advice, you can’t remember why you painted the painting in that
particular fashion and what your original goals for the painting were. Your mind is so muddled by all these
interpretations of the right way to paint that the painting doesn’t seem like
the same painting you felt excited about in the beginning.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As an artist, I have found it’s much better when I
don’t ask for other people’s opinions and I paint for my own pleasure. As a Christian, I have found I can’t get
involved in other people’s philosophical discussions of how they think religion
is supposed to be. There are millions of
different people with millions of different interpretations. If I get caught up in listening to other
people’s opinions, I can get confused and possibly lose my focus on God. I find it much better to bow out of
philosophical discussions and read the Bible on my own and to trust the
instincts that God gives me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth. Colossians, Chapter
3, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t know how you do it, but you should see me
clean the house. I start with one aspect
of house cleaning. I get off on a
tangent when I see something that needs to be put away in another room. When I’m in that room, I am reminded of
something else that I forgot to do.
After I do that thing, I try to remember what I had originally started
to do, because by that time I’ve lost my focus.
Sometimes I remember and sometimes I don’t! This passage reminds me that I am to continue
to focus on God and His will for me instead of going off on tangents and
getting caught up in worldly issues which can pull my focus away from Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have
put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>They say you can’t tell a book by its cover, but
this passage is kind of the reverse of that.
It tells me that people look at Christians to see if they really behave
the way they think Christians should.
God reminds me now that I’m a Christian; I’m to behave as a
Christian. I’m not to be hateful,
gossip, use vulgar speech or use God’s Name in vain (even though it has become
so commonplace that people don’t realize that they’re even doing it.) When people see me, my cover needs to reflect
the way God has changed my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Little children, let no man deceive you: he that
doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for
the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy
the works of the devil. Whosoever is
born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in Him: and He cannot
sin, because He is born of God. In this
the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever
doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his
brother. 1 John, Chapter 3, verses 7-10.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness. And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in
one body; and be ye thankful. Let the
Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and
the Father by Him. Colossians, Chapter
3, verses 12-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Actually, Christians are really fortunate, these
days. You don’t commonly hear of them
throwing Christians to the lions anymore.
I think it’s more about us being willing to live as God wants us to by
being examples of how He works in our lives, regardless of what other people
think or say.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Are we resentful when we are presented with an
opportunity to make a donation to a worthy cause or are we giving to others and
thankful for what we have? Do we get
caught up in reading the latest fad or do we find time to grow in our faith as
we read the Bible and learn more about God?
Do we get caught up in listening to music with a worldly theme or do we
sing Spiritual songs and hymns? Do we
respond hatefully to cashiers who seem less than sensitive to our concerns or
do we remember all our actions and words reflect our faith in God? Are we resentful that we don’t have the
newest and the best of worldly items like others or are we thankful for all God
provides for us? Food for thought!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of
the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 23-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think about Random Acts of Simple
Kindness and Love. This is when people
secretly do nice things for others (this could be for people you know or
complete strangers.) These anonymous
acts aren’t done for any reward or praise, but are just for the pleasure it
brings to do nice things for others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God is saying that because we love Him, we
are to have that same attitude in all we do.
We should take pleasure in doing nice things for others, not for any
reward or praise, but because we enjoy doing nice things for God. Actually, it’s exhilarating when you do nice
things for others without letting anyone know you did them! It’s really very special to know that you
have been allowed to be an instrument for God by being involved in one of His
little miracles for someone else. If you
have never done things like this before, you should try it! There is nothing quite like the pure joy of
doing something nice for another person without getting caught up in bragging
to others about what you did. You do it
just because it’s something God would like you to do. Try it!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have
no need that I write unto you. For
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night. 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5,
verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We are told over and over again in the Bible that no
one knows when the end of the world will be.
It will sneak up on us just like a thief is able to sneak around in the
night without anyone knowing. We need to
be examples of how God works in our lives, not just in ten or twenty years from
now, when we have finished sowing our wild oats, but always. God is forgiving but we should not push Him
too far, either. We can’t go around
manipulating God and our faith by saying that I’m sinful and God will forgive
me anyway, so I will just go ahead and do this sinful thing and ask for
forgiveness later.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, God knows what is in our hearts. He knows when we are trying to manipulate Him
and when we are genuinely trying to be Christians. Although none of us is perfect, we need to attempt
to be the best examples we can of how God works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are
unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all
men. See that none render evil for evil
unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to
all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the
Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 14-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are times in our lives when we can share our
genuine concern for those who are making self-destructive choices. You never know if the things you say may be
at a time that will help refocus that person.
(I always like to ask God to provide the words when I’m in a situation
like this. He always provides the right
things for me to say.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We are to be patient, tolerant and supportive of
those who are mentally disabled, as well as those with any other
disability. We are to be patient with
everyone because we are supposed to be examples of how God works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Have you ever overheard someone saying, “Yeah, they
profess to be a Christian. You should
have seen him out drinking the night away in the local bars-some Christian,
huh?” Or, “You should have seen the way
she was yelling at her kids and she says she’s a Christian. If that’s what Christians do, I want no part
of it.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Did you realize that our example could either lead
people to God or push them away from having a relationship with Him? Well, it can!
Sometimes our example is as close as anyone gets to knowing Jesus and
the impact that He leaves on our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you
wholly, and I pray God your whole Spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 21-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think the “Prove all things” is good sound advice. We aren’t to believe everything someone says
is in the Bible just because someone who sounds knowledgeable says it’s in
there. It means we are to check it out
first. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage also says that we should make sure we
are in situations that are good for us and to stay away from anything that is
evil or could lead us astray. Sometimes
when I’m angry with someone, I ask God to take care of it, but in reality I
still really want to be angry a little longer.
When I ask God to take care of my willingness to let Him take my anger
away, then I’m surrendering my need to stay angry.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now we command you, brethren, in the Name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow
us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any
man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that
we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to
make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk
among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort
by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own
bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in
well doing. And if any man obey not our
Word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may
be ashamed. Yet count him not as an
enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Now the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, verses 6-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Apostle Paul was talking about how the followers of
Jesus didn’t want to be beholding to anyone or to be perceived as taking
advantage of others. When they stayed
with people as they went around spreading the Word of God, they worked for
their food. Paul was saying that this is
the way it should be and those who didn’t work shouldn’t eat.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He was into “Reality Therapy”. Those Christians who didn’t work and let
others do all the work while they found time to be busybodies and visit,
shouldn’t be given food. He thought this
would motivate them to talk less and to work more, that is…if they planned on
eating.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He said that Christians shouldn’t hang around people
who were not obeying the Word of God. Maybe
this shame might motivate others to change their behavior, but goes on to say
that they shouldn’t treat that person like their enemy either. They are doing these things to help motivate
the person to make changes in their behavior choices, in the same way you might
treat a brother who was going astray.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But if any provide not for his own, and specially
for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
infidel. 1 Timothy, Chapter 5, verse 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember hearing this over the years, “They take
care of their own.” Well, God is telling
us this is exactly what we are supposed to do.
There is a big difference between empowering and enabling, though. So, our help should be supportive in a way
that maintains the person’s self-respect, encouraging them always to make
positive choices in their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and
destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great
gain. For we brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be
therewith content. But they that will be
rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee
these things; and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness. Fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a
good profession before many witnesses. 1
Timothy, Chapter 6, verses 5-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is reminding us to stay away from people who
have corrupt minds or those who distort the Word of God. There are some who feel the proof of being a
good Christian would be having all the worldly possessions they want. Actually, there are people who believe that
way today. They feel God would want them
to have all types of nice things (possessions) and they actively pray for them. I know someone who looks at a picture of her
dream car each day and then visualizes God giving it to her. I know God said that He would take care of
our every need, but I don’t think that means we are going to eat steak and
prime rib every night because we are Christians, and we aren’t guaranteed we’ll
drive fancy cars.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In fact, a big portion of this passage talks about
how a lot of Christians get caught up in trying to attain money, status and
worldly possessions which corrupt them.
He says we are to be content with the food and the clothes we have, not
visualizing ourselves being given fancy cars, high level jobs and lots of
money. The desire for these things could
very well lead us astray.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes,
that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal
glory. It is a faithful saying: For if
we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also
reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us. 2 Timothy, Chapter 2, verses 10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Boy, this passage always makes me sit up and take
notice. It makes me think of all those
times when I have the opportunity to say something to someone else about how
God works in my life and I don’t. I’m
afraid of what they might think of me, but I’m really denying God. I would sure hate for Him to deny me in much
the same way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is something I have to continue to work
on. Yeah, I’m typing this book right now
about how God works in my life, but I’m not taking any big time risk. For me, risking is when I need to share my faith
personally with someone else, taking the chance that they may reject me for
standing up for my beliefs.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Actually, whenever I have taken that risk, I haven’t
had people reject me. Most everyone I’ve
talked to has been very respectful of my beliefs. Most of them have even shared situations from
their lives that have ended up strengthening my faith. I think the point is that we need to be
willing to stand up for God if the situation arises, instead of leaving it to
someone else.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But whosoever
therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father
which is in heaven. But whosoever shall
deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 32-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And blessed
is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.
Matthew, Chapter 11, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Who concerning the Truth have erred, saying that the
resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth
sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of
Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy,
Chapter 2, verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think this passage speaks to people who try to
confuse us by saying things like, “Heaven is here on earth, right now,” or “You
can make your life a heaven or a hell by the choices you make.” Your choices do bring about logical
consequences. If you make poor lifestyle
choices, you usually have a life that reflects those choices. If you make lifestyle choices that reflect
your faith in God, you won’t have steak on the table every night, but God will
take care of you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My concern is that people can get confused by others
and lose their focus on God when they engage in philosophical religious debates
with them. Even though some profess to
be devout Christians, reading the Bible is one of the best ways to find out
God’s Will for us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants us to leave behind our sinful ways and to
live a life that reflects how He has influenced us. We don’t have to get public notoriety as a
Christian in order to have Salvation.
God knows who the Christians are and who just says they are.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the
Truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 3-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage has special significance because I
first got interested in the Bible due to the erroneous quote from the Bible
that really was from an Aesop’s Fable (god helps him who helps himself.) I did not capitalize the “g” on god because
the god they are talking about is a Mythological god, not the One True
God. I try to always capitalize the “g”
on God out of respect for our Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity,
in patience. The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient
to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober
minded. In all things shewing thyself a
pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity. Titus, Chapter 2, verses 1-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Have you ever been in a situation where someone is
griping about their husband or wife? After a few minutes it seems that the rest
of the people in the group start pointing out the flaws of their spouse, as
well. On the ride home, these petty
little flaws seem to be magnified because they have been publicly brought to
your attention. God tells us in this
passage that we are to be good examples to younger generations and should not
get caught up in such discussions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The younger generation learns by example and so did
we. If their parents, grandparents or
elders have a drink every time there is some type of problem, it sets a bad
example. I’m not saying that an
occasional drink is wrong, but it can become a crutch for all of the little
problems that arise in life. It sends a
real negative message when our children, grandchildren and friends see us turn
to the bottle every time we have a problem or we have a disagreement with our
spouse. They think that is the way
things are supposed to be handled.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If they see us always complaining about our spouse,
they are more apt to do the same with their spouse. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t
want my children arguing with their spouses or turning to the bottle or
recreational drugs to help them escape the problems that arise. I would much rather be a positive example of
how God works in my daily life and in my marriage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That being justified by His grace, we should be made
heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and
contentions, and strivings about the Law; for they are unprofitable and
vain. Titus, Chapter 3, verses 7-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember hearing that some people seem to feel
that they deserve a certain amount of prestige because they have followed their
family roots all the way back to those who landed on Plymouth Rock. I know following your family tree can be
interesting, but I think God is saying that even if we checked our genealogy
and found we were related to the Apostle Paul himself, we would be wasting our
time. It’s not who you know that gets
you into heaven, it’s our love for Jesus and trying to lead the life He wants
for us. That’s what makes the
difference!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> <i>God Who hath at sundry times and
in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His
Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the
worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His
person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by
Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High;
Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a
more excellent Name than they. For unto
which of the angels said He at any time, thou art My son, this day have I
begotten thee? And again, I will be to
him a Father, and he shall be to Me a son? And again, when He bringeth in the
First Begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship
Him. And of the angels He saith, Who
maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God,
is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy
kingdom. Hebrews, Chapter 1, verses </i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>1-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage reinforces my concern that people might
get led astray by focusing on angels rather than focusing on God. Angels have become popular in the last few
years. There are some shows focused on
angels and some catalogs and stores filled primarily with angels. The thing is, God doesn’t want us worshipping
angels or giving them undue attention. I
think some people get confused and think they are really focusing on God when
they pay so much attention to angels.
Some people even pray to their guardian angel rather than praying to
God, thinking it’s one and the same thing, but it isn’t.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If the angel in Revelation forbade John to bow down
to him (last asterisk), then I would think we should pay attention to
this. We are to focus on God and not the
angels even though they are God’s ministering spirits. Our focus is to always be on God the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit; none other.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related
passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit
on My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool: Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
Salvation? Hebrews, Chapter 1, verses
13-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD,
I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for
thee. And the angel of the LORD said
unto Manoah. Though thou detain me, I
will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must
offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew
not that he was an angel of the LORD.
Judges, Chapter 13, verse 15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And I John saw these things,
and heard them, And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before
the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not:
for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which
keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Revelation, Chapter 22, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day
on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all His works. Hebrews, Chapter 4, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like the way that God looks out for my family in
spite of our weaknesses. He knows that I
work intensely all week and I spend all weekend either caught up in doing the
things I took home from work or I get involved in other projects. If I spend all my spare time focused on work
and projects, then I’m not spending my time focused on God and my family.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have an aunt and an uncle who don’t work on the
day that they go to church. I always
thought it was admirable, but I would come up with twenty billion reasons why I
needed to do these projects instead.
When I read the Bible, I realized that God says over and over again
(mostly in the Old Testament) that we aren’t supposed to work on the Sabbath
and are to have a day of rest, focusing on God and our family.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I got to thinking about this. If He went out of His way to make sure that
this was in the Bible so many times, there must be a good reason for it. The more I thought about it, I realized that
if we are doing things from work or other projects all week, we will rarely
find quality time for God and our family.
God wants us to have priorities in our lives. After God who is our first priority, our
families should come next and then our work.
Think of how many children rarely get to spend time with their parents
because they are too busy working late or they are involved in work related
projects at home. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God also gives us added benefits for not working on
the Sabbath. Taking this day to focus on
God and our families allows us to be refreshed for the new week. When we stay busy all weekend after a hectic
week, we are more apt to become impatient with our family members over the
little things that arise. Additionally,
when we get caught up in our work and projects, we are more apt to find excuses
for not going to church with our family.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The worst part is that we are poor examples to our
children. If we stay busy working all
the time, they won’t grow up learning how to pace themselves either. Everyone needs to maintain a healthy balance
in their lives. If work becomes the sole
focus, then our families are bound to lose out-not to mention us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Someday our kids will be grown and out of the
house. Will they come and visit us
regularly when we are older? Did we
model the importance of family time while they were growing up? Will they be too busy doing their own
projects and work that they have no time for us? What’s worse is the possibility that they
will have no time for their own families.
Are we perpetuating a cycle of super busy people who have little time to
interact with others? That’s something
to think about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As I said, God has this stated and restated
throughout the Bible. I’m going to list
some of the Bible passages that support this so you can see the lengths that
God went to in order to remind us to have a day of rest to focus on Him and our
families.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh
day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy
handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Exodus, Chapter 23, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Speak thou also unto the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you
throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth
sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath
therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be
put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off
from among his people. Six days may work
be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever
doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> shall keep the Sabbath, to
observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual
covenant. It is a sign between Me and
the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh
day He rested, and was refreshed.
Exodus, Chapter 31, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And Moses gathered all the congregation of the
children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
together, and said unto them, These are the Words which the Lord hath
commanded, that ye should do them. Six
days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy
day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD, whosoever doeth work therein shall be put
to death. Ye shall kindle no fire
throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day. Exodus, Chapter 35, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My
sanctuary: I am the LORD. Leviticus,
Chapter 19, verse 30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Speak unto the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and say unto them,
Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy
convocations, even these are My feasts.
Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest,
an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD
in all your dwellings. Leviticus,
Chapter 23, verses 2-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My
sanctuary. I am the LORD. Leviticus,
Chapter 26, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*There dwelt men of <st1:city w:st="on">Tyre</st1:city>
also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the
Sabbath unto the children of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region>,
and in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>. Then I contended with the nobles of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath
day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon
us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> by profaning the Sabbath. Nehemiah, Chapter 13, verses 16-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and
bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, neither do
ye any work, but hallow ye the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. But they obeyed not, neither inclined their
ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive
instruction. And it shall come to pass,
if ye diligently hearken unto Me saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through
the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no
work therein; Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and
princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses,
they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
and this city shall remain for ever. And
they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem,
and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and
from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings,
and incense and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD. But if ye will not hearken unto Me to hallow
the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of
Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof,
and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be
quenched. Jeremiah, Chapter 17, verses
21-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That by two immutable things, in which it was
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled
for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Hebrews, Chapter 6, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I just like this passage because it says that it’s
impossible for God to lie. That way I
know if it says in the Bible that God will take care of me, He will!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my Helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews, Chapter 13, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The Words of the LORD are pure Words: as silver
tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, Thou shalt
preserve them from this generation for ever.
Psalm, Chapter 12, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews, Chapter 9, verse 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember referring to God guiding us through our
conscience at an earlier point. I just
wanted to include this passage because it supports what I said. Sometimes I tell people to listen to the
instincts that God gives them about things, because He guides us through these.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not sure if the instinct He gives us and our
conscience are the exact same thing or not.
What I do know is: God DOES GUIDE <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> if we listen to Him. Every time I listen, I have been amazed at
how well things turn out. Every time I
didn’t listen, I always remember wishing I had.
Well, this has happened enough times that I don’t want to ignore God
when He is guiding me anymore.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The other thing I like about this is that God takes
the time for me and my problems on a personal level, when there are millions
and billions of people in the world. If
God gives of His time to guide me, then I <u>definitely </u>want to listen!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But without faith it is impossible to please Him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek Him. By faith,
Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared
an ark to the saving of his house; by the which He condemned the world, and
became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go
out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and
he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews, Chapter 11, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You really should read all of Hebrews, Chapter
11. It tells of person after person
throughout Biblical history who did the Will of God based on faith alone. It makes me think about how these
accomplishments would never have happened if they hadn’t listened to God
because they were worried what their friends and neighbors would think of them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It makes me wonder if I would be willing to take
these same risks if God asked me. Would
I have the blind faith necessary, trusting God would take care of
everything? Hopefully, God would give me
the willingness to respond to His requests.
Where would we be right now if Noah had said to God that he wasn’t quite
sure whether he should build the ark because he was afraid his friends and
neighbors would be talking about him and he didn’t want to risk the
embarrassment? Food for thought!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews, Chapter 13, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After reading forwarded emails telling how people’s
lives have been changed by reaching out to someone less fortunate, I am more
reflective about my lack of action. When
approached by the needy, I have to admit my response has not always been of
Christian love to my fellow human beings.
This definitely is something I need to work on, being mindful about how
I would feel if people ignored and rejected me.
I only hope God continues to be patient with me and brings me to the
level of brotherly love that He wants us all to show to each other.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;
and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Hebrews, Chapter 13, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to work on being more compassionate to those
who have been imprisoned. It’s easy for
me to sit back in my comfortable house and forget about the plight of others
less fortunate. I can rationalize that
they have made poor choices and have been removed from society as a consequence
for these actions. In reality, I’m not
sure I agree with that philosophy anymore.
Sure, I think rapists, child molesters and mass murders should be kept
from returning to society. Often these
people get released from prison on parole after a certain amount of time and
some therapy, only to rape, molest and kill again. This makes no sense when the prisons are full
of other people who have done much less and may never get out. I just don’t understand.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are people who are in prison indefinitely for
stealing food or cigarettes, doing stupid pranks and generally making poor
choices. Are these people a threat to
society? I’m sure there are some
sociopaths who pose a threat, but I think there are many prisoners who would be
more help to society on the outside than behind bars. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There is a Bible passage that says: <i>Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to
satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore
sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. Proverbs, Chapter 6, verses 30-31. </i> God is talking about having him make
restitution rather than imprisoning him. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>With our country’s financial situation, we can’t
afford to hire enough people to clean our parks and waterways, assist the aged,
work with the handicapped and provide productive services for the
community. These options would allow
prisoners to maintain their dignity while making restitution at the same
time. It sure beats having people in a
penal system where they are more apt to become corrupted by the quantity of
negative influences they encounter than to be rehabilitated. Many of those imprisoned have the potential
to be productive members of society with some assistance and guidance. (As I said before, I’m not including people
who are rapists, molesters and killers in this category.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It saddens me to think that there is no real equity
in the penal system. There are people
who were CEO’s for multimillion dollar firms, who embezzled the funds of their
company. Many of their co-workers have
since lost their jobs, their retirements and their livelihoods because of the
impact the embezzlement had on the company’s finances. Often these people don’t go to jail, because
they have enough money to hire expensive attorneys. If they do go to jail, it’s for a short
amount of time in a swanky prison. They
write their memoirs and make a fortune.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sad that the system doesn’t make them make
restitution to all those who lost their retirements. Don’t you think it would be an excellent
logical consequence if they had to take the royalties from their memoirs to pay
for the retirements of those hard workers whose retirement funds had been
embezzled?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then there are minorities who are imprisoned and are
doing hard time because they didn’t have a ritzy lawyer defending them for
things that pale in comparison. They end
up spending a big portion their lives in prisons that could never compare to
the swanky ones of those who embezzled millions. This just doesn’t seem equitable to me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to remember to keep prisoners in my prayers,
but there may be other things we can do.
There are organizations that we could contact that would tell us ways
that we could help the families of prisoners.
A monumental way we can help is by being willing to hire someone who has
formerly been in prison. How are they
ever going to support their family and become a productive member of society if
no one hires them? We could make a difference
in their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of
God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth
forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. James, Chapter 1, verses 13-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It was very interesting for me to read this. Somehow, I was under the impression that God
tempted us to test us, but I was wrong.
It’s our own sinful human nature that is tempted by things. Our choice to follow these temptations or to
turn to God is what makes the difference.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay
apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness
the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers
only deceiving your own selves. James,
Chapter 1, verses 19-22. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But whoso looketh into the perfect Law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James, Chapter 1, verse 25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is of special importance to me right now,
because a minor matter has worked a wedge in my relationship with someone I
care about. God didn’t put these Words
in the Bible to be something nice for us to read. He had the Bible written to provide
guidelines for our lives and to remind us how things like anger, resentment and
hatred can subtly interfere with our relationship with God and others. I can read this passage and just say, “Yeah,
God is right. I shouldn’t let wedges
develop between others and me,” and then do nothing further about it. Or I can be an example of how God works in my
life by taking the first step, however awkward it might be to set things
right. The choice is up to us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">If any man among you
seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart,
this man’s religion is vain. Pure</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep
himself unspotted from the world. James,
Chapter 1, verses 26-27.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s easy to be a “Back-Seat Christian,” becoming
complacent in our relationship with God.
In doing so, we are letting everyone else take care of God’s work while
we focus on ourselves. God says He wants
us to take an active role as Christians.
He wants us to visit the fatherless, those grieving and we are not to
get caught up in worldly values.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>With so many single parent families, visiting the
fatherless could be a relatively easy thing to do. If we each took the time to touch the life of
one child, we could make a major difference.
Some might think that they don’t have the time, but you could include
neighbor kids in your game of basketball with your child. Family board games are nice to invite other
kids to play. Even if you don’t have
children of your own, you can take a child you know with you to the library. You can invite them over to bake or BBQ. Even doing routine chores seem special when
you’ve invited a child to help you. It
gives them a sense of accomplishment and helps them feel like they are
contributing. When you take your child
to a scouting, church or school activity; include a child who wouldn’t have
been able to attend otherwise.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Going to a school once a week for 30 minutes, can
positively impact the life of a child.
(When I was a teacher in a low income school, I tried to get volunteers
to come and read for 30 minutes a week with my students who had behavior problems. Within days, I would notice a positive change
in the behavior choices that these children made. Interestingly, I wasn’t having the volunteer
focus on teaching the child to read or anything else academic. The vast majority of these kids are quite capable
of doing academic tasks. They just have
so many other things going on in their lives that it’s often difficult for them
to focus on academics. The time with the
volunteers was really meant to be a positive time for the adult and the child
to spend together. Isn’t it amazing that
30 minutes of contact with a child each week could make such a difference?)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not suggesting that everyone should volunteer to
spend time with kids who have behavior problems, although that’s not a bad
idea. I’m using this as an example. If we each took the time to be with a child
for 30 minutes a week, just think of the positive impact we could have on the
children of our country. It has the added
benefit of making us positive role models of our Christian values to our own
children.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My brethren,
have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, with respect of
persons. For if there come unto your
assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor
man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,
and say unto him, Sit thou here in a
good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my
footstool; Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil
thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren,
Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you
before the judgment seats? Do not they
blaspheme that worthy Name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal Law according to the
Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. James, Chapter 2, verses 1-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We have become “The Lives of the Rich and Famous
Christians,” catering to those with status who look and dress a particular
way. I wish I could say that I didn’t
fall into this category, but I can’t. I
think our society falls prey to this, as well.
If we were on a bus, train or subway; would we stand to give our seat to
someone who looks down and out or would we stand for someone who was either
rich or famous? I have a feeling I know
which answer I would get if people were really being honest.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If you really think about it, our human logic is
backward. Some of the people with wealth
don’t do as much physical labor and are not exposed to the weather conditions
as much as those who are needier. Those
who are less fortunate probably need our seat more than those with wealth. Well, the same goes with our kindness. The wealthy often have others who treat them
courteously, but do we extend that same courtesy to the poor? I’m ashamed to say that I don’t always. I wouldn’t want God to treat me as
indifferently as I sometimes treat those who are less fortunate. Sure, I give clothes that I no longer want to
the needy, but that takes minimal effort.
That is giving out of my excess and I don’t think that’s the same as
treating others with the respect and the courtesy that they deserve.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly
evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith
bless we God, even the Father; and there with curse we men, which are made
after the similitude of God. Out of the
same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter? Can the fig
tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain
both yield salt water and fresh. Who is
a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good
conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and
lie not against the Truth. This wisdom
descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work. But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy. And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James, Chapter 3, verses 8-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God is asking us if a Christian can truly be
two-faced. You wouldn’t consider someone
a true friend who is nice to your face but works against you, behind your back.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God is telling us through this passage that
we can’t truly be both. Can we truly be
a Christian one day a week, but participate in a worldly life with no attempt
to change the rest of the week? I think
God tells us that if we truly profess to be a Christian, we will be examples of
our faith seven days a week instead of just one.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James, Chapter 4, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think that God is looking for a few good men and
women just like the Marines. They don’t
want proud, boastful people who go around saying they are better than
others. They want people who show their
worth by their behavior and choices all the time.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such
rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that
knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James, Chapter 4, verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me sad because I know I have been
guilty of this more times than I would like to mention. I was teaching in a suburb of a larger city
with more affluent families. A friend who
teaches there asked me to go to the city with her to read with some “inner city”
kids after school. Instead, I chose to
co-sponsor the Art Club, doing projects with those more affluent. I regret being so shallow.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be
condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. James, Chapter 5, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You know, it seems that our character flaws have
been ingrained in us for so long that they would be almost impossible to
change, but not so with God. I have
found that since I’m focusing on God’s Will for my life, the thought about God
judging me like I judge others pops into my mind when I’m being critical of
others, allowing me to make the changes that He wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But above all things, my brethren, swear not,
neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let
your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James, Chapter 5, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage lets me know that I can tell the truth
when I’m talking to people without saying, “It’s the truth, too-Swear to God,”
or, “It’s the truth, too-I Swear it on the Bible.” These extra sayings for emphasis aren’t
necessary and aren’t what God wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But I say
unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by
the earth: for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem: for it is the city of
the great King, Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not
make one hair white or black, But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:
for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 34-37.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord: And the
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray
one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James, Chapter 5, verses 13-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like the way that some
of the churches I have gone to have a prayer chain. When someone brings a special need to the
attention of this group, they call the next person on their list and then there
are a multitude of people praying for this same cause. Having the additional prayers of the prayer
chain gave me a sense of relief when I asked them to pray for my friend’s
husband and my uncle when they both had bypass surgery.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have since realized
that if I think the prayer chain is such a positive thing, I should try to give
something back by volunteering to be a member of the prayer chain, as well.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Brethren, if any of you do err from the Truth, and
one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the
error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of
sins. James, Chapter 5, verses 19-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was about 11 or 12, I remember being
horrified by hearing how a bunch of people saw a car drive over the levee in a
nearby community. They stood by and
watched the whole family drown without ever making an attempt to save
them. I didn’t know how those people
could live with themselves. If a person
had made an effort but had been unable to save them, they would have at least
known they had tried.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I feel like Christians often do the same thing. We see people who are making lifestyle
choices where they are apt to “drown” in their worldly ways, but we just sit
back and watch without even attempting to save them. If we make an attempt, at least we will know
that we tried and didn’t just sit back and do nothing. Who knows, maybe we will be the person who
plants the seed of change in their life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye
Holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye Holy; for I am
Holy. 1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s easy to become complacent and to let a few off
color words slip out every now and then.
Yes, God will forgive us for these shortcomings if we ask Him, but are
we being the example He wants us to be?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning
here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers; But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without
blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of
the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe
in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith
and hope might be in God. 1 Peter,
Chapter 1, verses 17-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Christians don’t have a “free ride on the gravy
train.” God is going to judge us by our
faith and our actions which should be examples of our devotion to Him. Our Salvation wasn’t purchased for us by some
worldly thing like money. We can’t pay a
fine when we are caught sinning, like a person who has been speeding pays a
fine as restitution. Our Salvation is
earned through Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection on our behalf.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the
Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love
one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible
seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for
ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all
the glory of man as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word
of the Lord endureth for ever. And this
is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 22-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Think of a brand new
computer in the box. Look inside the box
and you would see machinery with potential, but of no use unless it is plugged
in. Similarly, we have potential that
becomes realized once we develop a relationship with Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When the computer is
properly hooked up, just as a Christian who is focused on God, the machinery
works at optimum capacity. Once a virus
corrupts our files like worldly choices corrupt our lives, the machinery
performs inconsistently, at best. Both
the computer and the Christian can continue to get progressively worse. After we realize that help is needed and turn
to a computer technologist to repair the hard drive, in much the same way a
Christian turns to God for assistance, both can get started running “like new”
again. I need to turn to God for
periodic “overhauls,” making sure my faith and my lifestyle choices are running
smoothly and are attuned with what God wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers
of that which is good? But and if ye
suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their
terror, neither be troubled: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that,
whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that
falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the Will of God be so,
that ye suffer for the well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Peter, Chapter 3, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As Christians, we might get laughed at, stigmatized
or even isolated from others but that’s a small price to pay for our belief in
God. I would much rather suffer this
ridicule than to give in for momentary peace, giving up my eternal peace and
Salvation. I’m a “Pick Your Battles
Christian.” If I look at my two options,
I could live life in the fast lane now and be popular but go to hell, or I can
risk some ridicule by living up to my Christian ethics and go to heaven. I plan to put my money where there is the
greatest chance for reward-heaven!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a
thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Peter, Chapter 4, verses 15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s easy to become self-righteous thinking, “Well,
at least I haven’t killed anyone or stolen anything.” It’s humbling to read how God feels that
busybodies are just as sinful. Getting
caught up in talking about others is one of the ways that Satan works a subtle
wedge in the lives of Christians. It’s
easy to get caught up in gossip, but we need to take a stand. Sometimes just ignoring a situation is
condoning that behavior. It’s not always
easy to let people know that you feel uncomfortable talking about others, but
God will give you the words, if you let Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your
mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers. Ephesians, Chapter 4,
verse 29. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>one another, even as God for Christ’s
sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians,
Chapter 4, verses 31-32.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the
elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth
grace to the humble. Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter, Chapter 5, verses 5-7.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember becoming frustrated with people who were
older who gave me common sense advice. I
thought that they must think I’m stupid.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Later, God showed me that I needed to listen
respectfully to the advice of my elders.
It didn’t hurt me to listen, even though I already knew what they were
telling me. It made them feel better,
because they were passing on some insight that they felt would be helpful to
me. I now realize that they do this out
of love.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I’m older, I sure wouldn’t want younger people
treating me as if my advice didn’t matter.
I think this passage is important to remember. If we aren’t good role models to the younger
generation about being respectful to our elders, how will they know to be
respectful to us when we’re older?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; where
unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark
place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost. 2 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 19-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The ability to interpret the Bible’s message doesn’t
belong to any one person or group, especially if they feel that they are the
only ones who know what God’s Will is.
It’s important for me to remember this because there are religious fads,
cults, trends and religious leaders who may suggest beliefs that sound good but
are really contrary to God’s Will, as stated in the Bible. It’s easier to interpret the Bible than many
lead you to believe. Trust the instincts
that God gives you and He will guide you as you read the Bible for yourself.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but
cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
reserved unto judgment; And spared not
the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an
example unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot vexed
with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling
among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day
with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord
knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust
unto the day of judgment to be punished.
2 Peter, Chapter 2, verses 4 -9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m reminded that God didn’t spare the fallen angels
(Satan and his followers). He did spare
Noah and his family and the rest of the people in the world perished in the
flood due to their beliefs and lifestyle choices. God saved <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>
and the rest of Gomorrha perished due to their beliefs and lifestyle choices.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is definitely <u>not</u> telling me that it’s
okay to be a “So-so Christian” and that I’ll get to heaven anyway. I feel He’s telling me that all these people
perished for their wayward beliefs and choices.
Only those who were dedicated to God were saved. I need to be equally dedicated to my belief
in God if I want to be saved too. God
knows that I won’t be perfect, but He also knows what’s in my heart and if I’m
genuinely trying be an example of how He works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For when they speak great swelling words of vanity,
they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that
were clean escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of
corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage. 2 Peter, Chapter 2, verses
18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage reminds me of the story <i>Pinocchio. </i>Pinocchio was encouraged to go with the
others boys to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Toys</st1:placename></st1:place> where they had no
responsibilities. People could do
worldly things and have fun all the time.
Well, Pinocchio was led astray just as some people are led astray by
false prophets.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Pinocchio and the others had extreme consequences
for living the worldly life. They
started turning into donkeys. Well, I
think people who lead the same type of worldly lives today end up not only looking
like donkeys to others, but lose their chance for Salvation in the process.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately, if we turn our lives around after
having lived the life of Pinocchio, God will forgive us and guide us. This isn’t something to be manipulated. “Oh, I’ll lead a worldly life now, while I’m
younger. Then, when I’m older, I will
settle down because I know God will forgive me for making these choices.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God tells us in this passage to not be taken in like
Pinocchio was. <i>Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with
the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him
be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter, Chapter 3, verses 17-18.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one
thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years
as one day. 2 Peter, Chapter 3, verse 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think this passage is important for us to remember
when we read Bible passages that refer to specific amounts of time, so that we
don’t take the dates too literally.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think about how insignificant time can
be. When I was younger, I used to spend
some time in the summers with my grandmother.
The weeks with her sped by so quickly that before I knew it, I was leaving
to return home. She approached
everything with enthusiasm, whether it was trying to figure out answers on game
shows or reading.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>She had a zest for everything she did and her
enthusiasm was contagious. She is the
person who developed my love for reading.
She read thick novels and when I was about 8 years old I told her that I
wished I could read big books like she did.
She told me that I could and took me to the public library. She helped me pick out a humorous adult novel
that would interest me. I took great
pride in reading that novel, encouraged by her confidence in my abilities. I’m not sure that I would have attempted
something like that, otherwise.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, I think the same is true for Christians. Our enthusiasm for our relationship with God
can be contagious, as well. We can share
this with others with confidence in their ability to be open to all God has for
them. Our moral support and
encouragement can make all the difference in their developing this important
relationship that might not have happened otherwise.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This then is the message which we have heard of Him
and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the Truth: But if we walk in the
Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another and the Blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is
not in us. 1 John, Chapter 1, verses
5-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of being lost in a cave with lots of
different tunnels. If we know that God
is the Light that we see at the end of the tunnel, we are relieved. If we move confidently toward that Light, we
will be saved. The darkness is all types
of worldly things like: greed, drugs, infidelity, gossip and a variety of other
things that can lead us away from our focus on Jesus, who is our Light and
Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, if we tell ourselves that the Light at the end
of the tunnel is too far away and give up, we can lose our way by getting lost
running down the wrong tunnels, trying to navigate the worldly temptations in
darkness and lose our focus on God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Salvation is ours if we look down the tunnel and see
the path that God provides for us as He illuminates the way, if we’d only let
Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His
Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His Word in him verily is
the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself
also so to walk, even as He walked. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>1 John, Chapter 2, verses 4-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to be a “Do as I say and as I do Christian”
and be more than boastful talk. We need
to be examples for others to see how God works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be
fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be
called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the
End, the First and the Last. Blessed are
they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and
whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a
lie. Revelation, Chapter 22, verses
13-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that saith he is in the Light, and hateth his
brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the Light, and there is none
occasion of stumbling in him. But he
that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth
not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John, Chapter 2, verses 9-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We can go through all the motions of being good
Christians, but if we hate another human being, we aren’t walking in the Light
of God. It doesn’t matter if our hate is
directed to a relative or somebody with skin, beliefs or lifestyles that are
different than ours.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Hate takes up too much space in our hearts and
squeezes God out. In order to allow God
to totally Light up our lives, we have to let go of our hatred and biases. I know that isn’t always as easy as it
sounds. If we turn to God with this, He
will truly take care of it, if we ask Him to.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to
love one another. 1 John, Chapter 4,
verse 11.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*No man hath seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and His love is perfected in us. Hereby
know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His
Spirit. And we have seen and do testify
that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son
of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John,
Chapter 4, verses 12-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>We love Him, because
He first loved us. If a man say, I love
God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother
whom he hath seen, how can he love God Whom he hath not seen? And this Commandment have we from Him, That
he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John, Chapter 4, verses 19-21.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>BEHOLD, WHAT manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew Him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall
be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall
see Him as He is. And every man that
hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 1 John, Chapter 3, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Christians can’t expect this big pat on their back
and an “Atta Boy” from society for all their dedication to their faith. The majority of society is too busy living
worldly lives to focus on acknowledging people who make sacrifices because of
their commitment to God. They wouldn’t
understand what is involved because they don’t know God in their lives. Their worldly choices cloud the Light that
God provides to lead them to Salvation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto
life, because we love the brethren. He
that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby
perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John, Chapter 3, verses 13-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have spent most of my life trying to be a good
person and I got a certain amount of attention from others for the “Good Debbie’s”. I hope God has helped me grow beyond needing
that type of attention and approval from others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I still find that I’m hurt when someone doesn’t
really care for me, because of who I am, my beliefs or what I represent. I have to remember that not everyone in the
world is going to like Christians and it’s okay.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It would be easy to respond to these people that
don’t care for us through retaliation or resentment, but God wants us to love
everyone, not just the ones that are nice to us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My little children, let us not love in word, neither
in tongue; but in deed and in Truth. And
hereby we know that we are of the Truth, and shall assure our hearts before
Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is
greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God. And
whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do
those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John, Chapter 3, verses 18-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We could go around bragging about all our Christian
deeds, but God knows what’s in our hearts.
He knows if we harbor resentments or biases toward others. He knows if we are hateful and rude to our
family members and people who are different than we are.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He knows if we give to others through our actions
and our finances with a willing heart.
(Although I have tried to help others, I have often been guilty of being
resentful for the amount of time or money I have given. Fortunately, God has taken the time to show
me this. I do know that He would much
rather that I do these things for Him with a willing heart.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God can see what really is in our hearts and minds,
although we can disguise it from others.
We need to truly believe in God and not just in outward ways. We are to love Him with our whole heart and
He will be there to answer our prayers and to take care of our every need. (Of course, getting the high-level position
you want at work may not fall into the category of basic needs. God, alone, knows what is best for us.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For many deceivers are entered into the world, who
confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. <i>2 John, Chapter 1, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This was an interesting passage for me because I
have heard people talk over the years of the antichrist. I think their comments were always directed
to the reference of the antichrist in Revelation. This passage makes me aware that the
antichrist isn’t just one particular person.
It’s anyone who deceives people and leads them astray from God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For false
Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to
seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
But take ye heed: behold I have foretold you all things. Mark, Chapter 13, verses 22-23.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every
Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And
every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not
of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already is in the world. 1 John, Chapter 4, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For there
shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold,
He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers;
believe it not. For as the lightning
cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the
coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew,
Chapter 24, 24-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He
that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. If there come any unto you, and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God
speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John, Chapter 1, verses 9-11.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are groups that say “Your higher power as you
understand him,”or, “ god as you understand him.” At first, I thought this was a polite way of
acknowledging people’s different beliefs.
Then, as I read the Bible more, I realized that every time I said this,
I was condoning the other people’s concept of god as being God, but that wasn’t
right. The Bible lets me know that I’m
not supposed to condone any other concept of god. There is only One True God. Facsimiles just won’t work! (That doesn’t mean that I’m supposed to be
rude or judgmental of people who believe differently than I do.) It does mean that I shouldn’t give credit to
their version of god as being The One True God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And in all things that I have said unto you be
circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be
heard out of thy mouth. Exodus, Chapter
23, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to
everlasting, Thou art God. Psalm,
Chapter 90, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Unto thee it was shown that thou mightest know that
the LORD He is God, there is none else beside Him. Deuteronomy, Chapter 4, verse 35.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the
LORD made the heavens. Psalm, Chapter
96, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I am the LORD: that is My Name: and My glory will I
not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Isaiah, Chapter 42, verse 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thus saith the LORD the King of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and his Redeemer the LORD
of Hosts; I am the First, and I am the Last; and beside Me there is no
God. Isaiah, Chapter 44, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told
thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even My witnesses. Is there a God beside Me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. Isaiah, Chapter 44, verse 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, and He that
formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that
stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by
Myself. Isaiah, Chapter 44, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no
God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: that they may know
from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none beside
Me. I am the LORD, and there is none
else. Isaiah, Chapter 45, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens;
God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He
created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there
is none else. I have not spoken in
secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek
ye Me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are
right. Isaiah, Chapter 45, verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Remember the former things of old: for I am God,
and there is none else: I am God, and there is none like Me. Isaiah, Chapter 46, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, My called; I am He; I am
the First, I also am the Last. Mine hand
also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the
heavens: when I call upon them, they stand up together. Isaiah, Chapter 48, verses 12-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*What profiteth the graven image that the maker
thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker
of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake;
to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and
silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all
the earth keep silence before Him.
Habakkuk, Chapter 2, verses 18-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God
and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians, Chapter 4, verses 4-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You wouldn’t think God should have to repeat it over
and over throughout the Bible, but people are weak. They get distracted and become vulnerable to
other people and other religious groups and cultures. Since He knows we are very forgetful, He
keeps reminding us that He and He alone is the only God as you can see through
all of these Bible passages.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What
are these which are arrayed in white robes?
And whence came they? And I said
unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said
to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God,
and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them. They shall
hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in
the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living
fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation, Chapter 7, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not totally sure of the exact meaning of this
passage, but I still like it because it’s comforting. I feel that when we’re in heaven with Jesus,
we won’t have any more stress and tribulation, because He will take care of our
every need.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And he
exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth
and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was
healed. And he doeth great wonders, so
that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which
he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the
earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a
sword and did live. And he had power to
give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both
speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. Revelation, Chapter
13, verses 12-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Of course I don’t truly understand all of this, but
this passage makes me think of horses that lead carriages. They put blinders on the horses so that they
don’t get distracted and lose their focus and literally get led astray. I think, as Christians, we need to have the
blinders on that only Jesus can provide for us.
Then we won’t be led astray by people appearing to do miraculous things,
by cults and other things that could potentially lead us off course.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And he causeth
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number
of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred
threescore and six. Revelation, Chapter
13, verses 16-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the smoke
of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor
night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of
his name. Revelation, Chapter 14, verse
11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You don’t have to truly understand things to be
careful. I don’t truly understand why I
shouldn’t microwave food in plastic bowls, but credible people have said that
this can be harmful, so I just don’t do it!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I can’t attest to understanding all of Revelation or
Daniel, Chapter 10 through Chapter 12, but I do know enough to be careful when
I see a warning. It talks about people
losing their Salvation by getting the mark of the beast in either their right
hand or their forehead. People won’t
able to buy or sell things unless they get this mark. Every now and then I get concerned when I
hear about discussions within the government to take security precautions that
might be similar to the mark of the beast.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s very commonplace for people to use credit cards
to purchase things in stores or over the Internet. The papers and magazines are riddled with
columns about rampant identity theft, not to mention hackers who are hacking
into computer systems to get vital information.
I’m concerned that they will institute security measures that are
similar to the mark of the beast, whether it’s a number, a computer chip or
something else to protect people from identity theft.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What worries me even more, is that I think people
will be so excited about having this extra security that protects them, they
won’t even realize that they are getting the mark of the beast and are losing
their Salvation in the process. We are
warned to have wisdom. Be cautious about
what you do and trust the instincts that God gives you. He will guide you by these.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, I will include the passages from the Old
Testament that have positively influenced my Life. It’s not written this way deliberately. I just started writing <i>Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life</i> where I was reading in
the Bible at the time. I had just
started to read Matthew.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And Jacob sod
pottage </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[made
something like lentil stew]: <i>and Esau
came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray
thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Edom</st1:country-region></st1:place>. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy
birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am
at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he
sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of
lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau
despised his birthright. Genesis,
Chapter 25, verses 29-34.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Unfortunately, I can identify with Esau. I’ve been a “Sell-out Christian,” selling out
my ethics more times than I can mention for food. Food and control are my two biggest vices. Satan loves to dangle very subtle things in
front of us to pull us into his control.
<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s so easy to sell out our Christian ethics
without even realizing it. It might be by things like spending too much time on
the computer that our family goes without our presence. The computer temporarily becomes a priority
over our family. It might be by telling
only partial truths. Of course, we
always tell ourselves that we are doing it to protect others. Do we come up with reasons why we don’t have
time to pray, but spend hours in front of the TV? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are lots of subtle ways we sell out our
Christian ethics without ever noticing.
Esau lived to regret selling his birthright. I don’t want to live to regret selling out my
Christian ethics either. I don’t want
God telling me on the Last Day, “Debbie, I have other accommodations waiting
for you, because you don’t deserve a spot in heaven. You were too busy doing your own thing to be
bothered with leading your life as an example of your love for Me.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt
gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and
lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts
of the field shall eat. In like manner
thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. Exodus, Chapter 23, verses 10-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know there is a lot of talk about Welfare
Reform. I, too, want us empowering
people instead of enabling them, destroying their work ethic. We have to be prayerful about what we choose
to do with this system. This passage
says that God wants us to provide for the poor.
You’re right; most of us don’t have fields or vineyards to leave fallow
the seventh year so they’re available to the less fortunate. Instead, we provide for the less fortunate
through our taxes, giving to related charities and making donations to
causes. We also provide for the needy by
giving at church and through legislation to fund these causes. We need to be careful about how we change
this system. It’s vital that we continue
to provide adequate food and medical care for those less fortunate, especially
children.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That doesn’t mean giving monthly disability payments
to people with learning disabilities or drug and alcohol addictions. In this case, we may be enabling people
because they aren’t motivated to become literate or substance free for fear of
losing that income. Yes, we do need to
change things so some people don’t have multiple fictitious addresses to rake
in the Welfare checks. The Welfare
Reform needs to allow the Welfare recipient to make the necessary changes with
dignity.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Although there are issues to be resolved within the
Welfare System, we can’t lose sight of what God has told us to do. It would be very easy to “throw the baby out
with the bath water” while making the necessary changes to the Welfare
System. We need to continue to provide
food, medical attention and other needed services for those less fortunate,
because that’s what God would want us to do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou
shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest,
neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them
unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus, Chapter 23, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of
lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor
taketh reward. He doth execute the
judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him
food and raiment. Love ye therefore the
stranger: for ye were strangers in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Egypt</st1:placename></st1:place>. Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verses 17-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*If there be among you a poor man of one of thy
brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor
brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend
him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Deuteronomy, Chapter 15, verses 7-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field,
and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it
shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD
thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou
shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the
fatherless, and for the widow. When thou
gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it
shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a
bondman in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Egypt</st1:placename></st1:place>: therefore I
command thee to do this thing.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 24, verses 19-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the
expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Psalm, Chapter 9, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD
will deliver him in time of trouble. The
LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth:
and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. Psalm, Chapter 41, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but
the rich hath many friends. He that
despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is
he. Proverbs, Chapter 14, verses 20-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*When the poor and needy seek water, and there is
none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
will not forsake them. Isaiah, Chapter
41, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations
throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. Leviticus, Chapter 3, verse 17.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I just thought this was interesting. I never liked eating fat to start with, but
this makes me glad that I don’t eat it.
I thought that the part about not eating meat with the blood in it had
more to do with God protecting us from health problems that could arise from
the blood. I recently heard a minister
say that Christians weren’t to eat meat with the blood in it, because the blood
is the life of the animal and it was used in the sacrifices. There is a passage below that explains this
more. I don’t really know much about all
of this. I just know that if God tells
me not to eat fat or meat with the blood in it, then I don’t want to do
it. I don’t have to know all the reasons
why.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s kind of like when we tell our children that
they shouldn’t drink and drive. We don’t
want them to challenge our authority and try to find out first hand about all
the consequences that could possibly come from drinking and driving. It’s not an issue about whether we trust that
they know when to stop drinking prior to driving. It’s not an issue of whether we think they
are safe drivers. (That doesn’t mean
that we shouldn’t try to explain some of these consequences to our
children.) What we really want them to
do is trust our judgment about this situation and just not drink and drive. Well, I think God wants us to follow certain
things just because He has asked us to.
I think that is a sign of our faith in Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood,
whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner
of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. Leviticus, Chapter 7, verses 26-27.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">*<i>And
whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that
sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set My face
against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his
people. For the life of the flesh is in
the blood: and I have </i></span><br />
<br />
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement
for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth
among you eat blood. And whatsoever man
there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you,
which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even
pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of
it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye
shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the
blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. Leviticus, Chapter 17, verses 10-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they smote the Philistines that day from
Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. And the people flew upon the spoil, and took
sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did
eat them with the blood. Then they told
Saul, saying, Behold the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the
blood. And he said, Ye have
transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. 1 Samuel, Chapter 14, verses 31-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou
shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge
against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself: I am the LORD. Leviticus,
Chapter 19, verses 17-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is one of many passages where God tells us that
we are to love each other. He <u>doesn’t</u>
put a stipulation in there that says, “You are to love each other ONLY IF: they
have the right skin color, they have the same sexual preference, they come from
the right side-of-the tracks or they have similar beliefs and goals. We are to be Christians and love
everyone! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are people that don’t believe in God. Although, I don’t have to support their
beliefs because there is only One God, I’m to love them, to be considerate of
them and to not hold grudges against them because their beliefs are different
than mine. If I’m resenting them or
treat them in a less than kind manner, I’m the one who isn’t being a good
example of how Christ works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither
shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In addition to the part about not eating things with
the blood in it, God is also letting us know that He doesn’t want us using
enchantments (casting spells-things like witchcraft) or observing time (like
horoscopes, etc.). I get concerned when
I see how many weekly television series and movies are devoted to witchcraft or
Satanic themes. It concerns me that this
may become so commonplace that people think nothing of it-the same way that
using God’s Name in vain has become so common that people don’t even realize
they are doing it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the
dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not sure I totally understand this verse, but I
thought it was noteworthy because I think it’s possibly talking about tattoos
and things like body piercing, although I’m not totally positive.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither
seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>Leviticus,</i> <i>Chapter 19, verse 31.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This tells me that God doesn’t want me watching TV
shows where people are trying to get in contact with my deceased loved
ones. He, also, doesn’t want me reading
books about wizards and sorcery even though there are many books written for
children these days that are very popular with adults, as well.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And the soul that turneth after such as have
familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a-whoring after them, I will even
set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye
holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye
shall keep My Statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus, Chapter 20, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or
that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with
stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus, Chapter 20, verse 27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore shall ye observe all My Statutes, and all
My judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.
Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 37.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God didn’t say to follow the rules that sound good
to us or are convenient for us and leave the rest. We are to observe them all!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God,
the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and
keep His Commandments to a thousand generations. And repayeth them that hate Him to their
face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will
repay him to his face. Thou shalt
therefore keep the Commandments, and the Statutes, and the judgments, which I
command thee this day, to do them.
Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and
keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and
the mercy which He sware unto thy fathers.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 7, verses 9-12.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But if ye will not obey the Voice of the LORD, but
rebel against the Commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be
against you, as it was against your fathers.
1 Samuel, Chapter 12, verse 15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.
Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an
horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness;
His countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm, Chapter 11, verses 5-7.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The FOOL hath said in his heart, There is no
God. Corrupt are they, and have done
abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children
of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone: they are
altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm, Chapter 53, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Evil pursueth sinner: but to the righteous good
shall be repaid. Proverbs, Chapter 13,
verse 21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs, Chapter 27, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath
to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do
according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Numbers, Chapter 30, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After reading this, it became very apparent to me
that God really wants us to take our vows seriously and to actually do what we
say we are going to do. We aren’t to say
things in a stressful situation like, “God, if you just get me through this IRS
audit, I promise I will give money to the poor.” When the audit is over, the person is
relieved and forgets all about the vow they made. We don’t have to make promises to God when we
pray, but if we do, we are to make sure that we take our vows seriously.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*When thou
vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools:
pay that which thou hast vowed. Better
is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not
pay. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 5, verses
4-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations,
and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall
lead you. And there ye shall serve gods,
the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat,
nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt
seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him. If thou seek Him with all thy heart
and with all thy soul. When thou art in
tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days,
if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His Voice: (For
the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy
thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them. Deuteronomy, Chapter 4, verses 27-31.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I love reading passages like this. God tells us how angry He is when we turn
away from Him, but He also loves us and is willing to forgive us if we turn
back to Him. I think it’s appropriate
that we call Him, God the Father, because He loves us as a parent would, only
in a much more pure and consistent way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When we were kids and ran through the house,
knocking over a lamp and breaking it, our parents were unhappy. We might have had a consequence for not
following the rules, but our parents still loved us. That was even more evident after we came to
them to apologize for breaking the rules.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is always willing to take us back and forgive us
no matter how many times we missed church, used His Name in vain or acted in
unchristian ways. If we truly turn to
Him, God is always there to forgive us and accept us, but we need to be
committed enough to try to be examples of how He works in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Go and
proclaim these Words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding
Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: for I
am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou
hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the
strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed My Voice, saith the
LORD. Jeremiah, Chapter 3, verses 12-13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*If so be they
will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent Me of the
evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. Jeremiah, Chapter 26, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow
myself before the high God? shall I come
before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of
rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my
transgression, the first of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and
what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with thy God? Micah, Chapter
6, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Hear, O <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>: The LORD our God is one
LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all
thy soul, and with all thy might. And these Words, which I command thee this
day, shall be in thy heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest
up. Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verses 4-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants us not only to love Him with all our
heart, all our soul and all our might; but He wants us to raise our children
with this same love of Him. I have heard
all too many people say that they aren’t raising their children with any
religious education because they are letting their children decide for
themselves when they’re older.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Since I’m an educator, I’m in the position of
hearing lots of conversations about what is happening to the youth of today and
concerns for their well-being. If the
parents don’t set the foundation for their child’s religious beliefs when they
are young, how will the child learn to turn to God when they are faced with
issues like drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual involvement, etc?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Children learn by their parent’s example and those
around them. If they don’t see the
people around them making God a priority in their lives, then the example they
follow may be of peers who say that doing a little “Meth,” “Ecstasy” or other
drug will help them unwind and get more in touch with themselves. I’ve watched all too many talk shows where
parents are tearfully expressing their regrets about their child who was lost
to an overdose.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Maybe we are doing a huge disservice to our children
by waiting until they are old enough to make their own choices about God. Maybe we need to take an active role in our
children’s religious education now!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Therefore shall ye lay up these My Words in your
heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may
be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children,
speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the
way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy, Chapter 11, verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have
brought thee into the land which He sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to
Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest
not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells
digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantest
not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the
LORD which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of
bondage. Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verses
10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We may read this Bible passage and think it really
doesn’t apply to us and our daily lives, but that’s incorrect. How many times do we turn to God when things
are going badly in our lives, our jobs or when a loved one is very ill? We ask God to take care of these desperate
situations and He does so in the way that He determines is best. When things are resolved, do we spend the
same amount of time focusing on God, or do we leave Him in the background until
the next traumatic situation arises?
That’s something to think about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger,
and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know;
that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every
Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither
did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, verses 3-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Can you imagine how the Israelites could have walked
and lived in the wilderness for forty years and their clothes and shoes never
wore out? It’s so awe inspiring when I
think of how God took care of their every need, like manna from the sky-because
they wanted bread and flocks of quail-when they wanted meat. He took care of all their basic needs,
despite the fact that they turned away from Him many times in the forty years
that they were in the wilderness.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God never stopped loving them, the same way that God
is never going to stop loving us, even when we do some really sinful
things. God knows what’s in our hearts
and will forgive us our sins if we have a penitent spirit and try to make the
necessary changes that reflect our love of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And I have led you forty years in the
wilderness: your clothes aren’t waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen
old upon thy foot. Deuteronomy, Chapter
29, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the
LORD thy God which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house
of bondage; Who led thee through that great terrible wilderness, wherein were
fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; Who
brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the
wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that He might humble thee,
and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say
in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for
it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His
covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the
LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I
testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, verses 14-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s kind of like a high school student who buys a
term paper from another student rather than doing their own assignment. They are tickled when the teacher hands back
their paper and they have received an A.
When the teacher refers to their paper as an example of exemplary work
and dedication, they puff up with pride as if they had written the term paper
themselves, but they hadn’t.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God knew how human we were. He knew that the Israelites would see all the
miracles that He had provided for them in the wilderness and the bounty He
provided in the Promised Land. God knew
that they would take credit for it, as if they had accomplished these on their
own. He also knew that they would forget
to thank Him and they would take credit for all their good fortune, and He was
right.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do we do this in our own lives? I have, more times than I care to
mention. God has gotten me through many
difficult situations and when they’re over, I either forget about what God had
done for me, or what is even worse, I take credit for them myself.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some people make it hard to give God the
credit. People have complimented me for
particular ideas or actions. I tell them
that God gave me the idea or God got me through the particular situation but
they argue with me, telling me, “No, god helps him who helps himself.” Well, you already know how I stand on that
one! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We can easily fall into the trap of not appreciating
all that God has done for us. God can
lead us out this trap if we let Him, just like He led the Israelites to the
Promised Land.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy
gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they
shall judge the people with just judgment.
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither
take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the Words of
the righteous. Deuteronomy, Chapter 16,
verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I wish all politicians and judges adhered to rules
like these; not that there aren’t some who do.
It would make everything much easier if nothing interfered with the
political decisions that are made.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I read a book written by someone who used to work in
a prison. He talked about how some of
the prisoners would deliberately make friends with the guards. Being a guard has to be a thankless job. I doubt if any of the prisoners say, “Thank
you so much, Mr. Guard, for keeping me in here to protect society from
me.” Anyway, some prisoners manipulate
guards by planning to have pleasant interactions with them, standing in
distinct contrast to the negative ones they usually encounter.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>They get to know the guards pretty well, playing on
that particular guard’s sympathy. When
the timing is right, the prisoner asks the guard to send a birthday card to his
ailing mother, which is against the prison rules. When the guard does this, there is some kind
of rationalization that goes on for the guard to justify his actions to
himself, since this is an unethical thing to do. Once this happens, the prisoner knows he’s
got the guard wrapped around his little finger.
He knows that the guard is even more vulnerable to do other things for
him in the future. (Remember I said, not
all guards or prisoners do this, but it’s an example of how little things can
undermine the clear thinking of those in authority.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Politicians and judges are just as human. So are teachers, for that matter. It’s probably a lot harder for a teacher to
flunk a child of a very involved parent who volunteers for room parties and
lavishes the teacher with all types of gifts and compliments, on every
occasion. I think that everyone in a
position of power or judgment might become vulnerable when there are gifts or
favors done. I think that God had the
right idea when He said, “<i>For a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and
pervert the words of the righteous</i>.”
That’s definitely something to think about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A wicked man
taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Many will
entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth
gifts. Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 6. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Neither shalt thou set thee up any image: which the
LORD thy God hateth. Deuteronomy,
Chapter 16, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I trust God to guide me on this one. I do know from everything I have read that
God wouldn’t want me to have a statue of Buddha or a Greek or Roman god or
goddess in my house, even if they are just for decorative purposes.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t feel He wants us to pray to any religious
article thinking that article is God, Himself.
I wear a cross around my neck but I don’t pray to it. It just reminds me of what an important part
Jesus plays in my everyday life. I have
pictures of Jesus in my house. I get a
pleasant feeling when I look at them, because they remind me of all Jesus has
done for us. I don’t pray to the picture
or think the picture is Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You and God alone know whether you are being led
astray by these objects or not. Let God
be your guide on this one. He will give
you good instincts, if you let Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If there be found among you, within any of thy gates
which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness
in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing His covenant, And hath gone
and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of
the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it be told thee, and thou
hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and behold, it be true, and the
thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Then shalt thou bring
forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy
gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they
die. Deuteronomy, Chapter 17, verses
2-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage is important to me because it lets me know
clearly that God doesn’t like people being involved with horoscopes or other
celestial things. It doesn’t sound like
God thinks, “I’m not going to get too upset by this. They just like to read their horoscope for
fun, which really isn’t the same thing.”
This passage talks about stoning people to death for doing this
abomination. The sad thing is there are
people who don’t even realize that reading their horoscope or calling people to
predict their future is directly opposed to their Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You wouldn’t believe the number of Christians who
read their horoscope each day. Most
people that I’ve talked to think that reading their horoscope is harmless,
something they do as a joke. It’s kind
of scary to think how insidious a thing like reading a horoscope can be. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes people start reading it just for fun. Then it starts creeping into their mind. They think things like, “I probably shouldn’t
do this thing today because my horoscope said it isn’t a good day to do things
like this.” Then they find themselves
not doing things because they didn’t read their horoscope that morning and they
don’t want to make any major decisions until they’ve read it. They probably don’t even realize that they
are being led astray by turning to something other than God for guidance. It’s worth assessing the little things that
we do that allow our focus to be pulled away from God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And he </i>[Manasseh]<i> did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after
the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>. For he built up again the high places which
Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a
grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and
served them. 2 Kings, Chapter 21, verses
2-3.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the
kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of
Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense
unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the
hosts of heaven. 2 Kings, Chapter 23,
verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There shall not be found among you any one that
maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth
divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer,
or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer, For all
that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these
abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy
God. For these nations, which thou shalt
possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee,
the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. Deuteronomy, Chapter 18, verses 10-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This doesn’t lead me to feel that God would approve
of watching a “cute” show about a teenage witch. I have noticed that there are more and more
TV shows and movies with witchcraft and Satanic themes, lately. There is even a show where someone is trying
to contact the dead, which is what a necromancer is, and God considers this an
abomination. When we are watching these
things on TV or at the movies, we aren’t focusing on God. In fact, we are focusing on something that
might pull us away from our relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Watching these “cute” shows on witchcraft or
Satanism may have the potential of making our society more vulnerable to
cults. When I was younger, although it
probably existed, I never heard of people actually believing in witchcraft or
Satanism. It seems like I heard much
more about cults after the popular TV show based on a witch that made it look
fun to cast spells and have magical things happen. (I can’t say that the increase
in the popularity of cults is directly related to this TV show but it did, in
my opinion, make witchcraft look like a “fun” thing.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My children used to get frustrated when I asked them
not to watch the re-runs of this show, but I would much rather that they be
frustrated with me than to be vulnerable to being led astray. Sometimes as parents, we just have to take a
stand because we love our children!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And he made his son pass through the fire, and
observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and
wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to
anger. 2 Kings, Chapter 21, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the
wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were
spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might
perform the Words of the Law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the
priest found in the house of the LORD. 2
Kings, Chapter 23, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And he </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Manasseh] <i>caused his
children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he
observed times, used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a
familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the
LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 2
Chronicles, Chapter 33, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand;
and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.
Micah, Chapter 5, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word
in My Name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the
name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>Deuteronomy, Chapter 18,
verse 20.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage reminds us to be cautious about the religious
advice we listen to. There are many
different people out there who say that they know God’s Will for us, but these
people tell us totally opposite things.
Obviously, everyone who says that they know God’s Will for us; can’t ALL
be right. This dilemma confused me for
years. I started reading the Bible in
1980, to find out for myself what God’s Will was. That way, I could trust the instincts that
God gave me as I read the Bible. This is
much better than listening to other people’s opinions in order to figure out
who is right and who is wrong.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which
will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that,
when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father
and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city,
and unto the gate of his place; and they shall say unto the elders of his city,
This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a
glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men
of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil
away from among you; and all <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
shall hear, and fear. Deuteronomy,
Chapter 21, verses 18-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t want people to get the wrong impression of
God because He is both loving and forgiving.
I think that God is referring to extreme situations that are similar
today. Situations where someone’s grown
children are addicted to drugs or alcohol and they don’t work and are defiant. Some make choices that threaten the lives of
others. Some beat their parents, some
steal and some abuse or neglect their own children.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know it would be difficult for any parent to
consider this extreme of a consequence-no matter how many faults their adult
child had. This passage makes me think
about how it would be so much easier for parents to address their children’s
behavior by setting limitations and having logical consequences while they are
still young, so they never get to this point of unruliness.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It seems that some parents are lax about
disciplining their children on a consistent basis. I always thought that it was better to make
sure that my children grew up respecting laws and were a productive part of society
than to have them thrown into prison for stealing to get their next fix. (In this example, the defiant, unproductive
adult isn’t stoned to death but is dealt with by society through the penal
system.) Who wants that for their
children?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know it takes a lot more effort when parents are
already tired after a long day at work.
Parents may not want to deal with a child who argues with them when they
follow through on consequences. Isn’t it
better to deal with that than to see your child have a miserable life later on,
dealing with the law or maybe running from it?
They are our children and they’re worth the extra effort!!!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For every one that curseth his father or his
mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother:
his blood shall be upon him. Leviticus,
Chapter 20, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish
man despiseth his mother. Proverbs,
Chapter 15, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also
transgress the Commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father
and mother: and He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Matthew, Chapter, 15, verses 3-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are
with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest
Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, mine own hand hath saved me. Judges, Chapter 7, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is an interesting passage when you know why God
said this. Gideon was going to fight the
Midianites for God. He called all his
soldiers (the Israelites) and a large army gathered. God said, (paraphrased) “If I have the
Israelites win the battle against the Midianites while you have lots of
soldiers, you won’t realize the victory is because I had you overpower
them. Instead, the Israelites will think
that they had won the battle because of their large army.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>“I want you to weed out the majority of your
soldiers so that there is only a small band of your soldiers left fighting
against the Midianites. Then they will
know that only I, the One True God, was in control of having your small band of
men win the battle against the huge army of Midianites.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The small band of Israelites did overpower the huge
army of Midianites. God staged all of
this so that the Israelites would have conclusive proof that He is the One True
God. (Feel free to read Judges, Chapters
7 and 8, to find out more about this.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It wasn’t the war part that impressed me so
much. It was that God went to such great
lengths to show the Israelites that He was looking after them. I think God does this in our everyday lives,
as well. I don’t think we always stop to
realize that it’s God taking care of us.
I think we chalk it off to coincidence or have some other way of rationalizing
it. I think God wants us to open our
eyes and see how He works in our lives each and everyday. God isn’t just some
holy figure way off in heaven, but is intimately involved in every aspect of
our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all
that I said unto the woman let her beware.
She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her
drink wine nor strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded
her let her observe. Judges, Chapter 13,
verses 13-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The angel of the Lord tells Manoah and his wife this
so that she knows that she is to follow these instructions while she is
pregnant with Samson. I like this
passage because it’s like God is providing some obstetric guidance for Samson’s
mother so that he is born strong and healthy.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And when he </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Samson]<i> came unto
Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Spirit of the
LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as
flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put
forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass,
heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. And it came to pass, when he had made an end
of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that
place Ramathlehi. And he was sore
athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great
deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and
fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water
thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:
wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this
day. And he judged <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
Judges, Chapter 15, verses 14-20.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This isn’t the story we focused on in Sunday school
about Samson and Delilah. This was
before that time in Samson’s life. I
like this passage because it shows me how powerful God is. Samson was bound and the Philistines wanted
to kill him. Sampson was tied up and God
made the cords come off of Samson’s arms easily, which is the first miracle in
this passage. The next miracle is when
God allowed Samson to kill a thousand Philistines all by himself with just the
jawbone of an ass.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’ve seen lots of war shows with one group fighting
against the other. The whole screen is
filled with people fighting and lots die.
In this case, the movie screen would have been filled with a thousand
people trying to kill Samson. Samson
would be fighting them all by himself with only a jawbone of an ass, a skeleton
he found there. Samson killed each and
every one of them by himself. Of course,
Samson really wasn’t alone; God gave him this ability. After this was over, Samson thought he was
going to die of thirst. Then, God had
the third miracle happen. Water came out
of the skeleton (jawbone of the ass) so that Samson could drink the water and
be refreshed.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It is easy for me to read right through this passage
and not pay any attention to how God had His hand in these situations. This gives me a greater sense of God’s involvement
in our lives and what He is capable of.
If He can have one man conquer an army of a thousand, He can surely take
care of our daily needs!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was
no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out
of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your
minds. Judges, Chapter 19, verse 30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The rest of the chapter tells about a group of men
who abuse and rape a Levite man’s concubine (mistress) until she died. God tells us through this Bible passage that
we are to speak our minds on issues of this nature.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It might not seem like these things are socially
acceptable, but they really are, more so than you think. Think of how easy it is for us to hear about
another case of date rape and shrug our shoulders. Our complacent and helpless attitudes toward
things of this nature help to perpetuate the growth of these crimes. People start to view it as something that
guys do when they are out drinking too much.
Well, guess what? Rape or crimes
of aggression aren’t acceptable under any circumstance! I think we need to raise our children with a
clear message on this!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have
done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve
the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go
after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 1 Samuel, Chapter 12, verses 20-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>At times we go after vain things ourselves. Some examples would be: wealth, prestige,
jobs, social status, etc., which can’t bring us Salvation. Sometimes God-fearing people get so focused
on their career goals that they lose sight of their faith, their family and
their ethics in the name of getting ahead.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Are wealth, prestige and social status really worth
it? Is this the lifestyle you really
want to model for your children and your grandchildren?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in
burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the Voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and
to hearken than the fat of rams. For
rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the
Word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel, Chapter 15, verses 22-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This chapter is basically about God telling Saul
(through Samuel) to conquer Amalek. They
were to destroy everything and<u> not to take anything </u>from there. Well, Saul was an independent thinker. He won the battle but kept the king and the
best of the sheep and the oxen after God had already told him <u>not to take
anything</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Samuel tells Saul that God isn’t happy with him
because he took the spoil of the land against His wishes. Saul, being the fast thinker that he was,
said the reason that he kept all the best of the sheep and oxen was because he
brought them back to sacrifice them to God.
Then Samuel tells Saul that God wants us to us to follow Him and do
exactly what He asks of us. He goes on
to ask Saul (paraphrased), “Which is more important, offering sacrifices to God
or doing what He asks you to do?” God
wants us to obey Him, not to be independent thinkers and do our own thing,
trying to rationalize our actions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his
countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for
the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel,
Chapter 16, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is when God had asked Samuel to anoint the
future king. Samuel looked at David’s
brothers (David was young and was tending sheep at the time.) Samuel thought surely God had chosen one of
David’s brothers who were older and stronger, but God had a different idea.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God explained to Samuel that He doesn’t look at
people by how tall, strong or attractive they are; like men do. God looks at the person’s heart. That’s how God can tell what type of person
we are. It makes me think of Jesus being
the one true Equal Opportunity Savior of all!
We aren’t judged by our race, culture, sex, age, gender, skin color,
wealth, height, weight, etc. God looks
into our heart and knows who we truly are!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then came
there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this
woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the
house. And it came to pass the third day
after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were
together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the
house. And this woman’s child died in
the night; because she overlaid it. And
she arose at <st1:time hour="0" minute="0" w:st="on">midnight</st1:time>, and
took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her
bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold it was
dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son,
which I did bear. And the other woman
said, Nay: but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No, but the dead is thy son,
and the living is my son. Thus they
spake before the king. Then said the
king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and
the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the
king. And the king said, Divide the
living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child
was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my
lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine
nor thine, but divide it. Then the king
answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is
the mother thereof. 1 Kings, Chapter 3,
verses 16-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This story of Solomon’s great wisdom reminds me of
when I was little. My sister and I had
metal globe banks. (I know this is
dating me some.) Our banks were kept at
the top of our bedroom closet. I
remember climbing on something and taking the money out of my sister’s bank,
because I wanted to go to the “Candy Store.”
(I was oblivious to the fact that they sold anything other than candy.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was almost out the front door when my mother
stopped me. She asked me where I was
going and I told her that I was going to the “Candy Store.” She asked me where I got the money to buy the
candy. Now, I thought I was pretty
clever when I told my mother that Sally down the street had given me the money,
because there really was no one named Sally.
I had made it up. Well, my mother
is definitely much smarter than that!
She told me that she knew Sally, and Sally had told her that she hadn’t
given me the money. Boy was my mother
ever quick on her feet. I had been
caught in the middle of a lie.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God is quicker on His feet than even my
mother was! He knows what we think and
what we do. I don’t know why we make
these lame excuses. Do we really think
that God is truly going to buy them?
“Ah, I’m not going to include this income on my tax statement because
Uncle Sam gets more than his fair share anyway; besides this was just a side
job for a friend.” Or, “I really like
these fine point pens they have at work.
I think I’ll take a few-oh yeah, I need them for a work project I’m
going to do at home.” (I’m guilty of
this one.) Why do we even try these
things? Who do we think we are fooling
anyway? God knows everything and still
we find ourselves trying to validate doing things that we know are wrong.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And he went up from thence unto Bethel and as he was
going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and
mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up thou bald
head. And he turned back, and looked on them,
and cursed them in the Name of the Lord.
And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and
two children of them. 2 Kings, Chapter
2, verses 23-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage addresses hateful children who torment
others. Elisha didn’t say, “Oh, poor
children. They must have parents who
haven’t paid enough attention to them.”
When Elisha cursed them for tormenting him, God had a bear come and
destroy them. Although, this passage
demonstrates an extremely dramatic consequence for the inappropriate taunting
behavior of the children, I think it’s important for us to note how this
situation was handled.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What would happen today? Have we become so accustomed to rude and
tormenting behavior from children that hearing they behaved this way doesn’t
seem out of place? Isn’t that scary? I’ve seen too many talk shows where kids have
been suicidal or wanted to seek revenge because they have been tormented for
years by their peers at school. Are we
allowing our children to grow up to be rude, insulting and insensitive to
others? I don’t think we would want God
to deal with our children the same way that He did with the children in the
passage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Maybe we need to take a more active role in making
sure our children are raised to respect others.
Maybe there would be less violence in schools if everyone was committed
to enforcing appropriate guidelines with their children from infancy on. Something to think about!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the
sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and
thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to
take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any
thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even
empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when
thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and
shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is
full. So she went from him, and shut the
door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured
out. And it came to pass, when the
vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel
more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy
debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 2 Kings, Chapter 4, verses 1-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage gives me goosebumps when I read
it. It shows the great extent that God
goes to in order to take care of us.
Miraculously, He made the container of endless oil to take care of this
widow and her sons. It makes me think of
how foolish I am to worry about bills and finances. If God provided for this widow and her
children, He can surely provide for me!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In this passage, Naaman is a leper. He goes to see
Elisha to see if he could cure him of his leprosy. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So Naaman came
with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of
Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto
him, saying, Go and wash in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region></st1:place>
seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be
clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went
away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand,
and call on the Name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place,
and recover the leper. Are not Abana and
Pharpar, rivers of <st1:city w:st="on">Damascus</st1:city>, better than all the
waters of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto
him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest
thou not have done it? how much rather
then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven
times in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto
the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and
stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all
the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 2 Kings, Chapter 5, verses 9-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Naaman leaves Elisha saying, “That’s too easy, I
could have bathed in the rivers by my own town.
How could something so easy take care of my disease?” (Paraphrased)
Sometimes God asks us to do simple things and we don’t trust Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>All we have to do for Salvation is to believe that
Jesus is our Savior and to try to live as examples of how He works in our
lives. We are “Made in the Shade
Christians,” because God doesn’t ask us to give up everything we own, go into the
airport selling flowers, to meditate for hours or to go through great personal
sacrifice. Yet many people look
elsewhere for God and have been known to jump through all sorts of hoops to
find Salvation that is elusive, because they are not focusing on God’s simple
requirement.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Naaman eventually realized that it was worth giving
the simple request a try and it paid off.
He was cured from his leprosy by doing what God wanted him to do. I like the way God uses graphic illustrations
to demonstrate the lessons He wants me to learn.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came
to him, and said unto him, Thus said the LORD.
Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and
prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have
walked before Thee in Truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which
is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept
sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah
was gone out into the middle court, that the Word of the LORD came to him,
saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of My people, Thus saith the
LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears:
behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of
the LORD. And I will add unto thy days
fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the
king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for Mine own sake, and for My
servant David’s sake. And Isaiah said,
Take a lump of figs. And they took and
laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 2
Kings, Chapter 20, verses 1-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me realize that God takes all
things into consideration. Sometimes I
find myself thinking things happen a particular way because that’s the way they
are meant to be. This passage shows me
that although that may be true, it isn’t always the way God works. Isn’t it funny that I get caught up in trying
to figure out how God works? It’s kind
of like I’m a detective looking for clues, rather than just letting God guide
me and show me what He wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage tells me to continue praying about
issues of concern and not to give up hope, because God can decide to turn things
around. This is evidenced by God
deciding to let the king live fifteen more years after he prayed to Him. God can do anything. He is God!
He defies all explanation!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So Saul died for his transgression which he
committed against the LORD, even against the Word of the LORD, which he kept
not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire
of it: And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him and turned the
kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 1
Chronicles, Chapter 10, verses 13-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Saul had his servant contact a woman with a familiar
spirit (my Bible refers to her as a witch.)
She called Samuel up from the dead to answer Saul’s questions, but God
did NOT like this, which was the major reason that God had Saul die. Not only did Saul turn to someone who could
conjure people from the dead, but he did this rather than turning to God to ask
His will.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m including this passage because it reinforces my
belief that God wouldn’t be appreciative of people who get involved in watching
TV shows where dead relatives are contacted, even though they try to make it
sound positive with some religious connection.
We are turning to these shows rather than turning to God. I think God lets us know in this passage that
He doesn’t take kindly to us turning to anything other than Him. Actually, why would we want to turn to
anything else besides God? God takes
care of our every need!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that
were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because
His mercy endureth for ever. 1
Chronicles, Chapter 16, Verse 41.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m including this because I like the last half of
the Bible verse that states that God’s mercy endures forever. It reminds me of the saying, “Blood is
thicker than Water.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Although my sister and I live far apart and have
different jobs, hobbies and interests, we are always there for each other,
through thick and thin, which reminds me of how God’s mercy endures forever.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the
fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices;
and the Glory of the LORD filled the house.
And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the
Glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the
Glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the
ground upon the pavement, and worshipped and praised the LORD, saying, For He
is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.
2 Chronicles, Chapter 7, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage never really hit me before, but when I
read it this time it left a stronger impact on me. I started thinking about how God has had to
do all of these very dramatic miracles to get people to believe He is the One
True God. I guess if I weren’t too sure
of my faith and I saw fire come down from heaven and burn up a slab of meat,
there would be no doubt in my mind that God was responsible for it, even if I
had doubted before!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do people have to have these monumental miracles
before they believe in God? It’s kind of
sad that some of us have a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Missouri</st1:state></st1:place>
(the “Show-Me State”) mentality. Do I
have to have God “Show-Me” miracles before I’m truly willing to believe in Him
and not doubt His existence?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God does all types of miracles in my life each and
every day. When I was taking a heavy
class-load of difficult teacher preparatory classes, I didn’t know how I would
get through all of them. I had
petitioned the college to take 23 units that semester, so that I could have the
required classes to start student teaching the next semester. I was praying to God about this on the way
home from college one day. God put the
thought in my mind that I wasn’t supposed to worry about it, because He was
going to give me straight A’s.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I thought, “How could You do this? These are some of the hardest courses I have
ever taken and I don’t have enough time to properly study for all of them.” Then the thought that God had in my mind was
that He could do it, He’s God and He could do anything. I relaxed after I thought about it a few
minutes. He can do anything, provided I
trust Him to. I didn’t want to be like
Peter who sank when he got fearful, so I asked God for the willingness to trust
that He would take care of me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I would pray a quick prayer over each homework and
test question, something like, “God please take care of this one,” and the
answer or the way to solve the statistical problem would just be in my
mind. God did give me straight A’s
through all of that. It was just like
the thought He gave me those many months earlier in the car.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God works in my life in a variety of ways. I don’t always say formal prayers to God when
I have something on my mind. I just talk
to Him and I know God hears me. God
answers me in lots of different ways, but I don’t hear the actual Voice of God
from heaven saying, “Debbie, this is what you are supposed to do.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes He answers me by having things happen,
like my stalled car starts right after I pray about it. Sometimes He has things not happen, like when
my first husband and I didn’t get a house we were trying to buy. We were so disappointed at the time, but six
months afterward my husband got laid-off of work. Later, I realized that it was a good thing we
hadn’t gotten the house, because we could have lost everything we owned. When things don’t turn out the way I ask,
usually God will show me why at a later time, as in this example. Sometimes, God just puts thoughts or ideas in
my mind, just like when God let me know that He was going to give me straight
A’s. Sometimes He guides me by the
instincts He gives me. The important
thing is that I have to listen to them and not go off in my own direction,
ignoring those instincts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God does all types of miracles in our lives every
day, if we would only open our eyes to see them. Do we have the “Show-Me” mentality where we
need fire to come down from the sky before we believe in God?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said
unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for an
house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven
that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I
send pestilence among My people; If My people, which are called by My Name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land. Now Mine Eyes shall be open,
and Mine Ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this
house, that My Name may be there forever: and Mine Eyes and Mine Heart shall be
there perpetually. 2 Chronicles, Chapter
7, verses 12-16. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the
LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt,
and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore
hath He brought all this evil upon them.
2 Chronicles, Chapter 7, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This sounds like sometimes when we have droughts,
floods or pestilence like locusts, etc., God is trying to get our
attention. I feel like it’s His way of
saying, “People down on Earth, you are losing your focus on Me. You are getting caught up in worldly things
and doubt My existence by taking credit for the things I do.” God, who is infinitely merciful, goes on to
say that if we turn back to Him, He will forgive us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I want to deviate some from the writing format I’ve
been using, so far. I want to give the
background of this chapter in order to condense this. This is about 2 Chronicles, Chapter 10. I hate to include the whole chapter.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Rehoboam, who is Solomon’s son, became king after
Solomon died. The Israelites sent
spokesmen to King Rehoboam to ask him to lighten their work load. They said his father had been much too harsh
on them. They asked him to lighten their
work load and promised they would be loyal to him in return. He told them to come back in three days so
that he could have some time to think about it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>First, King Rehoboam went to get advice from the old
men who told him that if he lightened the Israelites work load and talked
nicely to them, they would be his servants forever. Then King Rehoboam went to get the advice of
the young men (his friends) who told him to tell the Israelites that if they
thought his father made their workload heavy, just wait and see how heavy he
was going to make it. His friends told
him that he was much more of a man than his father. (Paraphrased)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, after three days, the Israelites came back to
King Rehoboam to get his reply to their request to lighten their workload. He ignored the advice of the older men. <i>And answered the advice of the young men,
saying</i>, <i>My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father
chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 2 Chronicles, Chapter 10, verse 14. </i>The Israelites rebelled against
King Rehoboam.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I wish supervisors and managers would read this
passage. It shows that the treatment the
boss gives their employees can make the difference of whether the employees are
loyal and productive or whether they rebel.
The other thing that this passage reminds me of is how easy it is for
people to ignore the advice God has given them through the Bible and choose to
follow the advice of their friends instead.
Obviously, friends don’t always have the best of advice, as evidenced in
this passage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign
was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his
disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in
the one and fortieth year of his reign.
2 Chronicles 16, verses 12-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me stand up and take note. It becomes apparent to me that God wants us
to turn to Him first and foremost when we are ill. I’m not saying that physicians don’t have a
place, but I get a clear message that Asa didn’t turn to God at all. He put his faith totally in physicians, and
he died in the natural course of his disease.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In contrast, if Asa had turned to God and put his
faith in Him, he wouldn’t have died.
Sometimes it gets easy to get caught up in the world of science and
medicine and to put our total trust in them.
I feel that although there have been many medical and scientific
breakthroughs; we need to make sure our primary focus is on God. We want Him to guide us to the correct
physicians, when needed and to guide those physicians in their actions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And all <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region></st1:place> stood before the LORD, with
their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the
son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of
Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And He
said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king
Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason
of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold,
they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the
brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye
still, and see the Salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear
not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with
you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with
his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place> fell before the LORD, worshipping
the LORD. And the Levites, of the
children of the Kohathites, stood up to praise the LORD God of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>
with a loud voice on high. 2 Chronicles,
Chapter 20, verses 13-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God told Jehoshaphat that his men wouldn’t even need
to fight this battle, because God wanted them to see the Salvation of the LORD<i>.</i>
Now, Jehoshaphat didn’t doubt God. He
didn’t even tell his men to carry spears with them, just in case God didn’t
pull through. Jehoshaphat trusted God to
take care of him, just as we need to trust God will take care of us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In the following verses, it tells how the men who
wanted to fight with Jehoshaphat had hidden themselves in the countryside. Jehoshaphat had singers walk in front of his
men saying, “<i>Praise the LORD for His mercy endureth for ever.” 2 Chronicles,
Chapter 20, part of verse 21.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Anyway, the soldiers that were in the countryside
preparing to ambush Jehoshaphat and his men, killed each other instead. Jehoshaphat and his men didn’t have to lift a
finger. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It says in 2 Chronicles, Chapter 20, verse 29, <i>And
the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard
that the LORD fought against the enemies of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So, God used this battle as a sign to help people
realize that He is the One True God, all powerful, and He takes care of His
people when they obey Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of
the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and
bound him with fetters, and carried him to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city></st1:place>.
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and
humblest himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto Him: and heard his
supplication, and brought him again to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>
into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew
that the LORD, He was God. 2 Chronicles,
Chapter 33, verses 11-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is the most amazing passage! Manasseh used witchcraft, used people who
contacted the dead, cast spells, were into Astrology and had his children walk
through fire as some ritualistic show of loyalty, which really made God
upset. After Manasseh was captured and
became humbled, he asked God to forgive him and God did. Pure and simple!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Even if we have made some pretty poor choices in our
lives, God will forgive us, just as He did Manasseh if we turn to Him and truly
turn our lives around.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I really like the Book of Esther. It would be worth
reading to find out how Esther and Mordecai were able to protect their people,
the Jews, who were persecuted.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>All the while my breath is in me, and the Spirit of
God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter
deceit. God forbid that I should justify
you: till I die I won’t remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not
let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that
riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God
taketh away his soul? Will God hear his
cry when trouble cometh upon him? Job,
Chapter 27, verses 3-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is when Job had suffered many tribulations and
his so-called friends were trying to help him.
They challenged Job and his beliefs, but Job never wavered. He wouldn’t turn away from believing in God,
even amidst his tragic situation. I want
God to always keep my focus on Him. I
never want to turn my back on God or to blame Him for my problems.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness because of
mine enemies; make Thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they
flatter with their tongue. Psalm,
Chapter 5, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>People’s flattery of us does not always reflect
their true intent.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Surely men of
low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the
balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Psalm, Chapter 62, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all
the earth! Who hast set Thy glory above
the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes
and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that Thou
mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and
the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the
works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and
oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of
the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in
all the earth! Psalm, Chapter 8, verses
1-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Reading this makes me think of how foolish it is for
me to worry. If God can do all of this,
surely He can take care of my concerns.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my
heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer. Psalm, Chapter 19, verse 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have said something similar to this in church for
years, but do I always think about what I’m really saying or do I just rattle
it off in a routine fashion? I hate to
admit it, but sometimes the latter is true.
Yet, I would like the words that come out of my mouth and all my
thoughts to be ones that glorify God and make Him proud of me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I also find myself thinking and saying things that
don’t glorify God and don’t make me the best example of my love for Him. Maybe if I put more thought into what I’m
saying at church, I might be a better example of what I think and say
elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And He called
the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth
into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this
defileth a man. Matthew, Chapter 15,
verses 10-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Do not ye yet
understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and
is cast out into the draught? But those
things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they
defile the man. For out of the heart
proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with
unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matthew, Chapter 15, verses 17-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>GOD, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? why art Thou
so far from helping Me, and from the Words of My roaring? Psalm, Chapter 22,
verse 1. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the
wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare
upon Me. They part My garments among
them, and cast lots upon My vesture. But
be not Thou far from Me, O LORD, O My strength, haste Thee to help Me. Psalm, Chapter 22, verses 16-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I read this in Psalm, 22, I’m confused and
amazed at the same time! David is
talking about when Jesus is crucified yet it’s many, many years before Jesus is
even born. I don’t profess to be a
theologian, but I remember Jesus saying He had to fulfill the Scriptures. So, I guess David and others told of the
details that would happen to Jesus long before He was born. Then, when Jesus had accomplished these
prophesies, people would truly know He is the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s distressing that so many people are looking for
proof that Jesus is the Savior. It’s
like they want Jesus to come and touch them on the shoulder and say, “Sally, I
want you to quit doubting My existence.
Now that you have seen Me, you know that I’m your Savior.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sad that they are missing out on a relationship
with Him because they don’t read the Bible and are not aware of Jesus’ love for
us through His death and Resurrection.
The Bible has so many passages that foretold of the birth, life, death
and Resurrection of Jesus and how these Scriptures have been fulfilled that it
would be difficult for skeptics to continue to ignore the Truth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some other passages that foretell of Jesus
in the Old Testament:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Therefore the
Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a
Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and
choose the good. Isaiah, Chapter 7,
verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For unto us a
Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His
shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah, Chapter 9, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Who hath
believed our report? And to whom is the Arm of the LORD revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender
plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him, He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him,
He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and
with His stripes we are healed. All we
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the
LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His Mouth: He
is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a Sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so He openeth not His Mouth. He
was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation?
For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my
people was He stricken. And He made His
grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no
violence, either was any deceit in His Mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when
thou shalt make His Soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall
prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His Soul, and
shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justify many;
for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the
great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured
out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors: and He
bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah, Chapter 53, verses 1-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Behold, the
days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and
a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the
earth. In His days <st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region> shall be saved, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> shall dwell safely: and this
is His Name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah, Chapter 23, verses 5-6.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And I will
pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit
of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have
pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for His only Son, and
shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for His first
born. Zechariah, Chapter 12, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for
His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art
with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm, Chapter 23, verses 1-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like this passage because it’s so comforting. Sometimes when I’m afraid in the dark, I
think of this passage. (Sometimes when
my husband goes out of town for conferences, I hear noises that scare me in the
night.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>No, I haven’t memorized it all word for word. I don’t think a person has to be able to do
that in order to be close to God. (It is
nice to be able to do that though, because it’s like carrying special messages
from God with you all the time. Bible
passages are handy to know in case a friend needs to be comforted by
them.) Even though I don’t know this
passage by heart, God comforts me when I think about it. Then I don’t seem to be afraid anymore.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me
from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Psalm, Chapter 7, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Lead me in Thy Truth, and teach me: for Thou art
the God of my Salvation: on Thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, Thy tender mercies and Thy
loving kindnesses: for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my
transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness’ sake,
O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will He teach sinners in the way.
The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and Truth unto such as keep His covenant and
His testimonies. Psalm, Chapter 25,
verses 5-10.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your
heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm, Chapter 31, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them
that fear Him, and delivereth them.
Psalm, Chapter 34, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and
His ears are open unto their cry. Psalm,
Chapter 34, verse 15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their
inheritance shall be for ever. They
shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be
satisfied. Psalm, Chapter 37, verses
18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not
seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and His
seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and
do good; and dwell for evermore. Psalm,
Chapter 37, verses 25-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But the Salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them
from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm, Chapter 37, verses 39-40.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my
defence; I shall not be moved. In God is
my Salvation and my glory: the Rock of my strength, and my refuge is in
God. Trust in Him at all times; ye
people, pour your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm, Chapter 62, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm,
Chapter 118, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the LORD.
Psalm, Chapter 118, the first half of verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for
His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm,
Chapter 118, verse 29.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the
afflicted, and the right of the poor. Psalm, Chapter 140, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I,
will both search My sheep, and seek them out.
As a Shepherd seeketh out His flock in the day that He is among His
sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them
out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark
day. And I will bring them out from the
people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own
land, and feed them among the mountains of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> by the rivers, and in all
the inhabited places of the country. I
will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> shall their fold be: there shall they lie
in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>. I will feed My flock, and I will cause them
to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will
seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will
bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I
will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. Ezekiel, Chapter 34, verses 11-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<b><br />
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The LORD, is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I
fear? The LORD is the strength of my
life: of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm,
Chapter 27, verse 1.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I’m confused and afraid I’m going to make the
wrong decision, I pray and God Lights the way for me. He gives me a feeling of what to do. No, He doesn’t say, “Debbie, this is what you
should do.” When I talk to Him, my
prayers tend to be less formal and more like a conversation with God, except
for when I say the Lord’s Prayer.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I’m stressed and God doesn’t want me to worry,
He gives me a calm feeling I call the Peace Which Passes All Understanding.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After I pray asking God for guidance, I try to
listen to the instincts that God gives me.
If I get a calm feeling, I move forward on it. If I have an unsettling feeling, I wait
because sometimes it’s not God’s Will or the timing just isn’t right. God always sees the Big Picture and knows
when the timing is right for us. When I
trust the instincts that God gives me, my life seems much more stress-free and
things seem to fall into place.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and
shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm, Chapter 32, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes, we Christians walk around like our love
for Jesus is this private secret that we keep to ourselves, lest anyone think
we are religious fanatics. I know that I
have been guilty of this myself. God
wants us to be excited about all the wonderful things that He does in our lives
and not to hide our joy. This is
something I still need to focus on.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the
people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. Psalm, Chapter 33, verse
12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I am no authority on World History, but it seems
that predominately Christian countries have been fairly prosperous over time. It seems that when their citizens lose their
focus on God (the Father, Son and Holy Ghost), their country doesn’t fare as
well. Look at our country and the
lifestyle choices people are making.
Does it seem that people are losing their focus on God?<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The LORD looketh from heaven: He beholdeth all the
sons of men. From the place of His
habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike: He
considereth all their works. There is no
king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much
strength. Psalm, Chapter 33, verses
13-16.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God made all of us with the same kinds of
hearts. It’s up to us to choose to let
Jesus into our heart or not. That will
be the determining factor of our Salvation, not how rich, popular, high on the
social ladder or how strong we are.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not
thyself in any wise to do evil. For
evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall
inherit the earth. Psalm, Chapter 37,
verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes when people do really hateful and
inconsiderate things, I find myself plotting equally hateful things to do back
to them. Behavior like that isn’t
befitting a Christian. I need to turn
these draining feelings (they drain my Christianity out of me) over to God, so
I can get on with living the life that He wants.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A little that a righteous man hath is better than
the riches of many wicked. Psalm,
Chapter 37, verse 16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like this passage.
It’s saying that it’s better to be poor and have Jesus as our Savior
than to have all the riches and live a worldly life with no chance of
Salvation. I agree. What good does it do to have all the riches
in the world, if you lose your own soul?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember watching movies that showed people who
used to make pacts with the devil to have riches, fame or positions of
power. The movies would end with the
people realizing that no amount of prestige or wealth was worth losing their
soul. Although those are movies,
sometimes we make similar decisions by the choices we make in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the
glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away:
his glory shall not descend after him.
Psalm, Chapter 49, verses 16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right
Spirit within me. Cast me not away from
Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation; and
uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Psalm,
Chapter 51, verses 10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have a “Gimme Gimme Christian” relationship with
God. I have said these previous verses
many times in church, asking God to make me a better Christian. But the next verse says, “<i>Then will I
teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” Psalm,
Chapter 51, verse 13. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have focused on what I
want God to do for me all these years. I
want Him to forgive me for all the sinful things I have done. I want Him to give me a new heart and fresh
start so that I can go to heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I haven’t focused on the things that I should be
doing for God, as stated in that last verse, like sharing God’s love with
others. I hesitate because I think, Big
risk! Big risk! But then I wonder, do I
want to continue to be a “Gimme, Gimme Christian,” focused only on what’s in it
for me?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>O GOD, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my
soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land,
where no water is; To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in
the sanctuary. Because Thy loving
kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will
lift up my hands in Thy Name. Psalm,
Chapter 63, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I help my students analyze the descriptive writing
styles of authors. David would be a
great example of this. After reading how
much David loves God when he says that his soul thirsteth and his flesh longeth
for God in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is, makes me want to have
that same dedication in my relationship with God.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For a day in Thy courts is better than a
thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the
LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that
walk uprightly. O LORD of Hosts, blessed
is the man that trusteth in Thee. Psalm,
Chapter 84, verses 10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>David again, eloquently professes his love for
God. He says one day of life with God is
better than a thousand days of life without Him.<i> </i>He would rather have a lowly job in God’s
house than to live with all the riches that the wicked have. He tells us how well God takes care of the
people who love Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage helps me to re-evaluate my
priorities. I’m looking for a job
because we have moved back to the area where our grandchildren live. I haven’t gotten a teaching position
yet. There are some smaller jobs in the
newspaper that I haven’t applied for. Part
of me doesn’t want to go from being a teacher to a position of less
significance. I still want to impact the
lives of students!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me think that I shouldn’t
minimize jobs. It’s hard telling what
God’s plan is. It says that David would
rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness. I need to see that any position
that God puts in my life has some special significance and I need to be open to
it.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my
path. Psalm, Chapter 119, verse 105.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage has special
significance to me because my husband collects light houses. My thoughtful step-sons, daughter-in-law and
grandchildren got my husband a light house shower curtain for a gift. When we moved into our house, I decided to
paint light houses on the bathroom wall to go with the shower curtain.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My twelve year-old
grandson drew the light houses free-hand and I painted them. Being inspired when the painting was
completed; I looked for a Bible passage to paint over the door to make a
connection between God and the light houses.
There were several passages to choose from, although none spoke
specifically about light houses. I
couldn’t decide, so I prayed and asked God for guidance. I decided to use a portion of this passage: <i>Thy
Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path. Psalm, Chapter 119, verse 105.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When we went to church
with our grandsons that evening, one of the songs was<i> Thy Word Is a Lamp
Unto My Feet, and a Light Unto My Path. </i>At
that point, I knew that God had me choose the passage that He wanted. I was so excited that it was hard to wait
until after church to tell my husband and grandsons all about it. This passage pops back into my mind, at times
when I’m feeling frustrated or discouraged.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Teach me to do Thy will for Thou art my God: Thy
Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm, Chapter 143, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes, I get too
independent for my own good. I figure
that since I’m a Christian and a basically good person, I can see when someone
needs help and just take care of it. I’m
starting to realize that the “I’s” and “Me’s” get me no where and I need to
start praying for God’s guidance, first.
Sometimes I have rushed in to help someone, thinking “I” knew what was
best for them, only to find out that I had undermined their dignity without
realizing it. It sure knocked my
“Christian ego” down a few notches and hopefully, I will be more aware of this
in the future.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He telleth the number of the stars: He calleth them
all by their names. Great is our LORD,
and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the
wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the
LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth
the heaven with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to
grow upon the mountains. He giveth to
the beast his food, and to the young raven which cry. Psalm, Chapter 147, verses 4-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage had the word thanksgiving in it long
before there were any Pilgrims and national holidays. When David talks about thanksgiving, he has
the right idea. God provides for us and
all the creatures of the world. My focus
at Thanksgiving shouldn’t be on which recipes to cook, so that my relatives
brag on the spread they had at our house.
Instead, my focus should consistently be on God, thanking Him for all He
does for me. I shouldn’t just thank Him
on religious holidays. I wonder what it
might be like the other way around. God
would take care of my concerns on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The rest of the year, God would put me back
on the shelf to wait; because I interfered with all the things He was doing
during the year. I sure wouldn’t want
the tables turned!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Yet I am the Lord thy God from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Egypt</st1:placename></st1:place>, and thou shalt know no god but
Me: for there is no Saviour beside Me. I
did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they
filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they
forgotten Me. Hosea, Chapter 13, verses
4-6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him
with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding
cymbals. Let every thing that hath
breath praise the LORD, Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm, Chapter 150, verses 4-6.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize that some types of music present subject
matter and promote beliefs and actions that don’t always glorify God. There have been styles of dancing that are
less apt to be what God would approve of than others. I think that sometimes we “throw the baby out
with the bath water”. Here is another time
that we are encouraged to sing and dance, showing our love of God. In my opinion, this shows that singing and
dancing, in and of themselves aren’t bad, especially when they are done to
glorify God. Of course, we need to have
balance in all things.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These are different proverbs that give us food for
thought:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they
that deal truly are His delight.
Proverbs, Chapter 12, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous
words stir up anger. The tongue of the
wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out
foolishness. Proverbs, Chapter 15,
verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the
heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*By mercy and Truth iniquity is purged: and by the
fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at
peace with him. Proverbs, Chapter 16,
verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:
and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Proverbs, Chapter 16, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs, Chapter 20, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Even a child is known by his doings, whether his
work be pure, and whether it be right.
Proverbs, Chapter 20, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A Good name is rather to be chosen than great
riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs, Chapter 22, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the
Maker of them all. Proverbs, Chapter 22,
verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs, Chapter 22, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a
furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy
soul. Proverbs, Chapter 22, verses
24-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest
he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Proverbs, Chapter 25, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the
hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs, Chapter 27, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be
established. Turn not to the right hand
nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs, Chapter 4, verses 26-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember walking with a
friend on a dirt road that ran along the far side of my elementary school. I was rambling on about something as I
walked, only to be stopped by the squeals of delight from my walking partner. She had found a silver dollar in my tracks.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I had been so busy focused
on something else that I hadn’t watched where I was walking, as she had. If I had paid attention to what I was doing
and where I was going, I would have been the person who found the treasure. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, Christians also
have to watch where they are going and whether the choices they are making are
leading them astray. The worldly things
in life can lead us off our path of faith.
If we focus on God’s Will for us, as stated in the Bible, we are more
apt to find the treasure of Salvation at the end of our road.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing:
but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs, Chapter 13, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of the story my grandfather used to
tell me when I was little about the Ant and the Grasshopper. The ant worked busily throughout the spring,
summer and fall and put food away for the winter while the Grasshopper enjoyed
himself and played. Then when the winter
came along, the Ant had a plenty of food to last him and the lazy Grasshopper
was cold and hungry.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Slothfulness
casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a
companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs, Chapter 13, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, I have sadly noticed something over my years
as a teacher. I have often placed a
student who was a good role model next to a disruptive student. I thought the positive role model’s example
would rub off on the disruptive student.
Almost every time, I found the exact opposite to be true. It seems the role model student almost always
starts taking on some of the characteristics of the disruptive student, not the
other way around.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think that this often applies to Christians, as
well. I think we often take on the
traits of the people we hang around. If
we associate with people who live their lives focused on God, we are more apt
to live in a similar manner. If we hang
around people who have worldly values and make lifestyle choices that don’t
reflect their love for God, then we are more apt to live our lives in a like
manner. It boils down to who you think
God would want influencing your life.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that
loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs, Chapter 13, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Parents often feel guilty for being away from their
children with their work and other things that take them away from home. At times, some parents over compensate by
giving their children all they desire, overlooking the child’s disobedience
without realizing how counterproductive it is.
If a parent gives in to a child’s demands when they are young and
doesn’t provide appropriate consequences for misbehavior, do you think that
child will behave any differently as a teenager or adult? Maybe correcting children and having
reasonable expectations for them while they’re young would be to their best advantage. Our ultimate goal should be that they grow
into responsible, Christian men and women.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the
LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. Proverbs, Chapter 15, Verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, I guess I might be able to convince some that
my thoughts are always God focused and selfless, but God knows how I really am
inside. Fortunately, He forgives me and
helps to turn my selfish thoughts and resentments around to be more tolerant
and forgiving of others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but
the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: and a liar
giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted
wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he
that speaketh lies shall perish. Proverbs,
Chapter 19, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*A fool utterth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth
it in till afterwards. Proverbs, Chapter
29, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:
but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Proverbs, Chapter 15, verse 32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was a child, my
father noticed that I scuffled my feet as I walked. He knew it was a counterproductive trait, so
he had me practice walking with an appropriate gait. Being stubborn, I deliberately went back to
scuffling my feet. Now that I am older
and have recently broken my ankle, I wish I hadn’t been such a stubborn
child. It would have been nice if I had
listened to my father’s advice which would have saved me a lot of
discomfort. We have the same options in
our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
To listen, or not to listen, that is the question? (Forgive me for misquoting Shakespeare.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom;
and before honour is humility. Proverbs,
Chapter 15, verse 33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I enjoy teaching and feel my teaching style has
really improved over the years. Our
school district allows each school to make nominations for Teacher of the
Year. Somehow, I got the distorted
notion that I had been nominated for this.
Egotistical person that I can be, although most wouldn’t know it, I
prepared how I would respond when they announced my nomination at a faculty
meeting. Ironically, the award went to
someone else who was extremely deserving and probably a lot more humble.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately, no one else knew that I thought I was
going to be nominated, which was a big relief but God and I did. This was a humbling experience, to say the
least. Hopefully, it leads me to be less
self-absorbed in the future.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Every one that is proud in heart is an
abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be
unpunished. Proverbs, Chapter 16, verse
5.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of
him. Proverbs, Chapter 26, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not
what a day may bring forth. Let another
man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own
lips. Proverbs, Chapter 27, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he
that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember being with someone who I used to think
was a friend prior to this. I realized
that they weren’t someone I wished to keep company with after this
situation. This person put down a guy
with long hair in his community who was riding a motorcycle and crashed and got
killed, saying it served him right.
There was no compassion, only justified indignation at this person with
long hair who rode a motorcycle. I don’t
think it says anywhere in the Bible that only people with short hair, wear
suits to work and drive expensive cars are allowed to go to heaven. Actually, Jesus had long hair, but the main
point of this is that we aren’t to judge others or make fun of their
misfortune.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Rejoice not
when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he
stumbleth. Proverbs, Chapter 24, verse
17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are
the snare of his soul. The words of a
talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly. Proverbs, Chapter 18, verses 7-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have seen children at school go to another student
and say something like, “Fred thinks you’re ugly.” The child is crushed by this
information. In talking to the student
who shared this, I have come to realize that they thought they were doing the
child a favor by telling. I have to
explain that when they share hurtful things, even though they weren’t the one
who originally said them, they are actually being hurtful themselves.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have stopped being close friends with some adults
who manipulatively work situations to their own good. I have known those who will get a person
involved in a discussion focused on putting down another person, as well. Then they go to the other person and say what
was said, trying to get in close with that person. It’s a, “Did you know what terrible things
Fred said about you?” on a grown-up level.
This passage doesn’t sound like God takes too kindly to this type of
behavior.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it
is folly and shame unto him. Proverbs,
Chapter 18, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is good “Open
Mouth-Insert Foot” advice. I can’t tell
you how many times I have embarrassed myself by thinking I knew what someone
was talking about. Stupidly, I would interrupt
them and put my two cents in; only to find out I wasn’t even on the same topic.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is
separated from his neighbour. Proverbs,
Chapter 19, verse 4.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m somewhat embarrassed to tell you about this, but
here goes. When I was in the seventh grade,
I needed to give my little turtle to someone because I was no longer able to
keep it. The teacher let me make an
announcement to the whole class. There
were two people who wanted it. One was
the dreamboat of the class who was really popular, but self-absorbed. Then there was a nice person who wasn’t in
the popular group. I remember thinking
that the nice person would have given the turtle a better home, but I ended up
giving it to the popular one, instead. I
had seen it as my one chance to get the attention of someone popular. It saddens me to have been this shallow.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It also makes me think of how many people are
immediately friends of those who have won the lottery, who had little to do
with them prior to that.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy
soul spare for his crying. Proverbs,
Chapter 19, verse 18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes it’s all too easy to give in to our
children to keep them from nagging us.
Their best interest needs to always be in sight as our ultimate
goal. I hear children in primary grades
talk about graphic, sexual things that they must have picked up from the shows
they watch. It may be easier for parents
to just let their children watch these shows rather than to have to deal with
their children nagging them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The real question should be, “What does this do to
the child?” Little children are exposed
to all too much sexually explicit, violent and vulgar language and scenes in
the media today. The media isn’t going
to stop making these shows, so it’s up to the parent to value their child
enough to monitor the shows they view and put up with some nagging and
fits. After all, it’s their child’s
well-being that counts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if
thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of how the police will go to the
house of a man beating his wife and just give him a warning. That really doesn’t do much. He’s going to keep beating her, if not that
time, some other time when the stress gets to be too much for him. It also, reminds me of how the court system
lets rapists, killers and child molesters out into the public after they have
served some time, only to find out that the person raped, killed or molested
someone else. A person who could have
been saved, if the system had not let that rapist, killer or molester back out.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is
holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
Proverbs, Chapter 20, verse 25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I can’t explain what this passage actually means,
only how this relates to me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not supposed to have sugar because Hypoglycemia
runs in my family. It also makes me
cranky with those I care about. Anyway,
there have been times when someone brought a treat into the Teacher’s Lounge to
share. I knew it probably had too much
sugar in it. I tried to block it out of
my mind and eat it as fast as I could.
Then I would say something like, “Oh, that was really good. I bet it had sugar in it and I shouldn’t have
eaten it.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I knew full-well it had too much sugar in it to
begin with, trying to fool the people sitting around me. I may have fooled the people that I work
with, but you can’t fool God!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He and I both knew I was aware of what I was doing
all along. Well, I think this Bible
verse is saying something similar. You
can’t fool God by doing something that’s against His rules, and then play innocent
after the fact, when you really knew you shouldn’t have done it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast
said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy
knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and
none else beside me. Isaiah, Chapter 47,
verse 10.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs, Chapter 22, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If we take the time and are consistent in raising
our children with rules and appropriate consequences, our children will be the
better for it, even in their adult lives.
For one thing, it helps them have parenting skills when they are raising
their own children. As a teacher, I’ve
seen the product of the opposite. There
was a period of time, when some parents seemed to think that it was important
to cater to a child’s every wish and didn’t have any consequences for breaking
rules. When some of those kids grew up,
they didn’t know how to raise their own children or how to appropriately
discipline them, because those skills were never really modeled for them as
they grew up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise
the wisdom of thy words. Proverbs,
Chapter 23, verse 9.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes we waste our time trying to explain our beliefs
to people who just like to be contrary.
They could argue with us all day, on any issue. We are just wasting our breath on people like
this. They aren’t going to be open to
any of the things we have to tell them about our love for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There are people from a particular religion that
comes to my door to talk about God, but they don’t believe that Jesus is our
Savior. I could stand there all day and
talk to them about how the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is Savior of all,
but they won’t be open to listening. As
a Christian, it’s better for me not to debate my religion with people like
that.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For one reason, these people may be more persuasive
than we are and we may get confused.
That happened to me one time.
People from this religion were able to quote Bible verses to support the
things they were saying, and I started wondering if they were right and I had
misinterpreted things.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Later, I got my Bible and read the whole chapter
that they had pulled these verses from.
That helped me realize that the verses they mentioned were really
talking about a totally different issue.
Those adults pulled verses from the Bible out of context, making them
sound like they supported their argument.
If I could get confused by trying to defend my beliefs, then it could
possibly happen to you. It’s easier to
not get into a debate in the first place.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou
beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from
hell. Proverbs, Chapter 23, verses 13
and 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The Bible doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to beat your
child when you’ve had a hard day at work or you’ve lost your temper. I think this Bible verse is referring to them
getting a branch and swatting their child’s bottom when they have made
significant mistakes to warrant it. I
think this was done to motivate them to not make that severe of a mistake
again. (My parents used a paddle which
used to have a rubber ball attached. My
uncle drew a “frownie face” on it, which worked as a deterrent for more serious
infractions. My parents didn’t do this
in a fit of rage. Time out and logical
consequences seemed to work for most situations, but there are times when more
serious consequences are necessary.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think of talk shows that have mothers and fathers
as guests who can’t control their kids.
Their kids seem to control the adults and their household climate. Their children are hateful and self-willed
and bully other students at school. The
police are now holding the parents responsible for not controlling these
children. This Bible verse makes me
think it’s better to reprimand the children when they are younger than to have
to deal with the police later.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Of course, there are children who get into the wrong
groups and get involved in drugs and other vices that change the child’s whole
personality. That’s why it’s vitally
important that parents take an active role in their child’s life. It can be difficult when parents work and the
child has time to hang around with friends after school. Raising our children by taking them to Sunday
school and Church on a regular basis can prove to be beneficial. It is better that children grow up with
positive Christian values, rules and consequences. This may give them a better sense of right
and wrong that could keep them from being so vulnerable to negative
influences. It sure beats having to go
to court to explain why your child is unruly.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:
and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and
she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Proverbs, Chapter 23, verses 24-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he
shall give delight unto thy soul.
Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the
fear of the LORD all the day long.
Proverbs, Chapter 23, verse 17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize that as human beings we sometimes envy all
the attention people get in the popular groups.
I have found myself thinking that if I were to wear certain clothes or
behave in certain ways, then I would get all the same attention. It really isn’t worth lowering our standards
to lead that type of lifestyle. I don’t
want to be a “Sell-out Christian,” selling out my Salvation for the opportunity
to be popular.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise
not thy mother when she is old.
Proverbs, Chapter 23, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God doesn’t only have advice for parents in the
Bible; He has advice for children, as well.
He wants children to listen to their parents. We aren’t to resent our parents or ignore
them when they get older when they aren’t as convenient to take care of. I don’t think He’s saying we’ve done our bit
to put our parents away in a nursing home somewhere as long as we pay the
bills. I don’t have the perfect answer
but I’ve seen the elderly in nursing homes, starved for attention because they
haven’t seen their children in months or years.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I admired the way my family pitched together to try
to keep my grandfather at home where he felt comfortable as long as they
possibly could. My great-aunt would take
him shopping for groceries. My uncle
would come mow his yard and clean around the house and my aunt would look after
his legal issues that he was oblivious to.
My other uncle took care of his finances. My mother would balance his checkbook, trying
to locate the necessary paperwork. Many family
members were involved, some living closer and some far away. Everyone helped in whichever capacity they
felt able.<i> </i>His aging presented a
situation that seemed to pull the family together.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest
thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Proverbs, Chapter 25, verse 16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I really like this because it hits home. When I used to eat sweets, I would think a
particular pie or other delicacy was desirable.
I didn’t think I would get it again for a long time, so I would “sleece”
my way around the pie and end up eating almost the whole thing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, if you’re wondering what a “sleece” is, it’s a
word I made up to describe taking a little sliver of pie, cake, etc. It tasted so good that I would take another
and another until almost the whole thing was gone. I would feel so guilty for eating that much,
I would put my hand on the top crust of the pie and try to push it down so some
of the filling would go out the sides. I
tried to make it look like there was more pie than there actually was. I thought this would keep my family from
knowing what I had done. I used to eat
things that were special treats to the point that I made my stomach sick. I’m so fortunate that God has taken care of
my compulsive overeating.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and
if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire
upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs, Chapter 25, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United
States</st1:country-region></st1:place> has been involved in trying to deal
with the terrorist actions that took place on <st1:date day="11" month="9" w:st="on" year="2001">September 11, 2001</st1:date>. When they were trying to find the terrorists,
many were compassionate to the starving people of that country. I heard that they sent food for approximately
6,000 people on a daily basis.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>At first when I heard this, I was really
frustrated. I thought we are helping the
enemy who tried to devastate our country through terrorist acts of
violence. Then I realized that I was
being very self-centered and decided that it’s our Christian duty to take care
of all those starving people. Sometimes
the human side of me sneaks in and undermines my Christian ethics.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a
city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs, Chapter 25, verse 28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I would get kids through
the years, which had a “reputation” for not being in control of their behavior
choices. I think they had been “out of
control” for so many years that they thought they’d always be this way and so
did some of their families.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After developing a bond
with these students, they were more open to following the classroom rules and
guidelines. I tried to help them see the
improvements they were making to be more “in control” of their actions and
choices. At first, they were reluctant
to believe that they were capable of this, trying to revert back to old,
comfortable ways. After time and
continued support to “be the best they could be,” they eventually started
noticing that they were making more and more good choices and were thinking
about the consequences of their poor choices more than they ever had.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It was exciting to see
these same children leave my class at the end of the year, taking pride in
their ability to be “in control” of their lives and choices. They were better able to bounce back when
things didn’t go the way they wanted.
They left with confidence, which is a distinct contrast from the student
who had that reputation of “being out of control.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What a difference
consistent parameters make in their lives.
Ideally, all families would provide their children with consistent,
appropriate rules, not changing them at whim.
This would help their children grow up learning to feel “in control” of
their actions rather than becoming someone without rule over his own spirit.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou
also be like unto him. Proverbs, Chapter
26, verse 4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes people treat others like a fishing
tournament. The fisherman baits his hook
with some challenging remark, just enough to entice us to take the bait by
challenging our religious beliefs. Once
we bite that lure and get involved in the interaction, the fisherman yanks the
pole and starts to reel his catch in.
Usually, it’s best to resist the opportunity to respond to people when
they set us up.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs, Chapter 26, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I like the visual picture I have with this
passage. One way of looking at this
passage might be to think of the wood as the person who listens to gossip. The fire is the person who spreads the
gossip. If people listen to gossip, it
“adds fuel to the fire.” If no one
listened to these stories, it would put the gossiper out of business; because
they do it for the attention it gets them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and
they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs, Chapter 26, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When the righteous are in authority, the people
rejoice but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 2.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of how I explain to my students
about democracies where the people elect the government officials. This is contrasted with some countries where
the dictator takes over the country by force.
I tell them these dictators usually have their needs as a priority and
not the needs of their citizens, who often live in impoverished and inhumane
situations.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The righteous considereth the cause of the poor:
but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of
him. Proverbs, Chapter 29, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is talking about our opinion of people who go
around babbling every thought that goes through their head. Do you trust people like that to know your
deepest, darkest secrets? Do you appoint
people like that as heads of corporations?
Do you really trust them to be there in a pinch when you really need
them? They aren’t generally the people
we turn to when we need help.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man
aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs,
Chapter 29, verse 22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It seems that some people are always angry. They are abrupt with others and say hateful
things rather than try to work things out calmly. They go around upsetting people everywhere
they go, leaving a trail of arguments, fights and people with hurt
feelings. I learned a long time ago that
my life runs a lot smoother when I stay clear of people like this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s
judgment cometh from the LORD. Proverbs,
Chapter 29, verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It reminds me of politics on local level. I remember hearing about local businessmen
who bought gifts for those who govern them, hoping to get political favors in
return. (Example: Companies were told
they had to make costly anti-pollution adjustments to their factories. The newspapers would note companies that were
flagrantly non-compliant, without legal repercussions. It was implied that the business had given a
politician some gift large enough to overlook the fact that they were dumping
waste into the public water supply, etc.)
So, this passage says to me that we may try to kiss up to the
politicians of the world who might turn a blind eye to our actions, but God
really knows what we do!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to
obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young
eagles shall eat it. Proverbs, Chapter
30, verse 17.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It doesn’t sound like God thinks it’s cute when kids
are disrespectful to their parents. He’s
talking about having ravens peck out the eyes of children who are disrespectful
to their parents. It doesn’t sound like
God condones their behavior.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>How do children learn to be respectful, anyway? One way is by setting appropriate limits
while they’re little. If they’re allowed
to argue with their parents when they’re little, do you think they will argue
with their parents less when they are 16?
If they’re allowed to break the rules with no consequences when they’re
little, do you think they will break the rules less when they are 16? If they are allowed to have a lack of respect
for authority figures when they’re little, do you think they will be more
respectful of authority figures when they are 16? If they are allowed to be self-focused, not
thinking of others when they’re little, will they become more concerned about
the needs of others when they are 16?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If you don’t teach them religious principals and
allow them to develop a relationship with God when they’re little, do you think
they will gain these religious principals and develop a relationship with God
when they are 16? So, if we don’t teach
our kids to be respectful when they’re little…who will??????????<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far
above rubies. The heart of her husband
doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the
days of her life. Proverbs, Chapter 31,
verses 10-12. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It goes on to say how she will help provide for her
family, but I like verse 20: <i>She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The next verses continue to list some of the
qualities of the virtuous woman, but I, also like verse 26: <i>She openeth her
mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. </i>There are more qualities listed, and then
verse 30 says: <i>Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that
feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I especially like the last verse that I
mentioned. God wasn’t saying, “Boy are
you lucky to have a wife who is a CEO of a company.” Or, “Boy are you lucky to
have a wife who is so gorgeous that she looks like a model.” God says (paraphrased) that He values women
who look after their families, provide for them and are kind and giving to
others. In fact, God reminds us that
beauty is only skin deep. What really
matters is a person’s relationship with God and living as an example of that.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, we’ve all met some attractive, shallow people
but there are also beautiful women who have a great relationship with God. There are homely, bedraggled women who are
shallow and some who have a great relationship with God. We really can’t make decisions about people
based on their looks. Fortunately, God
doesn’t judge us by human standards. He
knows of our love for Jesus and sees how we lead our lives and what our
priorities are.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>To every thing there is a season, and a time to
every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to
plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time
to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a
time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away
stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and
a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a
time of peace. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3,
verses 1-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage brings back memories of a Simon and
Garfunkel song, but this has a deeper meaning.
I think the song was popular for many reasons. It made us realize that there are various
stages in our lives and different reactions are appropriate, depending on the
occasion. I think this passage tells
Christians to be flexible, because God will help us handle whatever comes our
way. There are going to be births and
deaths, wars and peace, etc. How we
handle these sets the foundation for how other people, especially the younger
generation, handle the trials, tribulations and joys in their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If we get depressed, drink, take drugs, yell at
others or mope around all day when we have troubles, what do you think our
children are going to do when they have problems in their lives? If we use times of joy to get involved in the
excesses of life, including eating, sex, drinking, drugs, etc., what do you
think our children are going to do when they have great joy? We need to make sure we handle situations in
ways that we would like our children to emulate under similar circumstances.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with
silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 5, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When we used to have
family gatherings, my grandfather would have all the children and adults gather
in the front room for the “Money Game.”
He would build everyone’s anticipation as he jingled all the coins in
his pockets. After a hush filled the
room, everyone watched intently as he slowly dropped the coins onto the
floor. Young and old were trying to
mentally tally the coins as they lay there, ever so briefly, before he gathered
them up again. Someone would take down
everyone’s guesses and the person who guessed the exact amount got to keep the
money.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I spent my time focused
on the money and whether I won or not.
Instead, I should have been focused on the “wealth of family
interactions” and the extra excitement my grandfather provided, creating a
lifetime of memories for everyone involved.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than
for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of when I ask my husband to read
over something I’ve written. He starts
looking at it, making comments about corrections he thinks should be made to my
paper. It’s really very frustrating to
me. The thing is-he’s right. When I incorporate the corrections he
suggests, my paper flows much better than it previously did. Although it’s still frustrating to me to have
him edit my papers, I know the advice he gives me will be beneficial in the
long run.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If I asked someone else for advice on my writing and
they told me everything was wonderful regardless of the errors, it would be
like hearing the song of fools. They
just tell you what you want to hear, but they don’t provide the input that is
beneficial. I would much rather have the
advice of the wise than a “Yes Man,” any day.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth
good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes,
Chapter 7, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My mother used to tell me that there are some who
put others down just to make themselves feel better. This saying has comforted me over the
years. The thing I never paid any
attention to is whether I did this myself.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>None of us is perfect, except Jesus. It’s funny how easy it is for us non-perfect
human beings to find fault in others. It
appears that we think that looking down on others makes us better people. NOT…as the kids say!…or No way, Jose!…or Not
on your life! I could go on, but you get
the idea.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For often times also thine own heart
knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As a teacher, the children who came to me crying
because someone called them names often were those who were notorious for
calling other children names. They could
“dish it out,” but couldn’t handle it when it happened to them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Isn’t it funny that adults are very similar? We come unglued when someone says something
rude or hateful to us, when we are often guilty of being rude and hateful to
others. Somehow, it seems different when
someone else does it. Maybe we can learn
to be more forgiving of others, in the same way that Christ forgives us for all
our actions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Our children see how we handle frustrating
experiences and will tend to handle things similarly as they grow up. We need to be forgiving, even if someone’s
just crowded into our parking spot when we had our car all lined up for it!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Thus is an evil among all things that are done under
the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of
men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after
that they go to the dead. For to him
that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than
a dead lion. For the living know that
they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a
reward; for the memory of them is forgotten, Also their love, and their hatred,
and their envy, is now perished: neither have they any more a portion for ever
in any thing that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9, verses 3-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It seems that some people spend their whole lives
angry and bitter. They should have
gotten the promotion or job that they wanted.
They deserved a nicer house or car instead of what they have. I try to stay away from people who are always
griping about how things should have been better, because I tend to feel
depressed after talking to them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We have choices in life. We can spend our lives content or always
upset when things don’t turn out the way we want. When I don’t get what I want, although I
might be a little disappointed, I recognize that God knows what is best for
me. It’s a choice we make when we choose
to harbor resentments for all the things that don’t go the way that we think we
deserve. Personally, I don’t want people
avoiding me because I’m always griping.
What’s more important, I don’t want God avoiding me thinking, “Debbie’s
always griping and ungrateful for all I’ve given her. I think I’ll focus on someone else who
appreciates what I do for them.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hear the Word of the LORD, ye rulers of <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city>; give ear unto the Law of our God, ye people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Gomorrah</st1:city></st1:place>. To what purpose is the multitude of your
sacrifices unto Me? saith the LORD: I am
full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight
not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. Isaiah, Chapter 1, verses 10-11.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We all know what happened to the people of <st1:city w:st="on">Sodom</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Gomorrah</st1:city></st1:place>. I think God is saying that they can give
offerings until “the cows come home,” but it doesn’t buy them forgiveness for
their very worldly lives. It reminds me
of people who live in the “fast lane” and feel that if they put large amounts
of money in the offering plate, it absolves them from the things they do in
their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do you think that God overlooks things like cheating
on their spouse, unethical business choices or hateful behavior to others
because they’ve put lots of money in the offering? God wants us to ask Him to forgive us and
then, out of love for Him, we are to try to live as examples of how He works in
our lives. This “Sin now, pay later
tactic” just doesn’t work for God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He shall judge among the nations, and shall
rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more. O
house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verses 4-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is a very famous passage. There is another passage in the Bible that is
the complete opposite, telling people to beat their plowshares into swords and
spears. <i>Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears:
let the weak say I am strong. Joel,
Chapter 3, verse 10</i>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These passages tell me that God has times when we
are to fight for the causes He wants.
Then there are times when we aren’t to fight and are to try to maintain
peace in all aspects of our lives, if at all possible.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of
Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the
Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It doesn’t sound like God approves of His people
getting involved in fortune telling and trying to predict the future. He probably isn’t any more pleased with
people doing things like this, today!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What’s even more abominable is that they pleased
themselves, in the children of strangers.
Does child abuse, child porn, etc. seem less objectionable when it’s
connected to children who are totally different than we are? During war times, atrocities like this are committed
as if the women and children of other countries are sub-human entities,
absolving them of any guilt for abusing them.
It’s an abomination no matter what!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Children aren’t to be exploited. Looking at child porn sites on the Internet
keeps people in the business of taking advantage of children. Are you helping to perpetuate the problem?<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and
the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted
in that day. And the idols He shall
utterly abolish. And they shall go into
the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD,
and for the Glory of His Majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the
earth. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verses 17-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember my father
reminding me not to get so high and mighty when I was spouting off about
something. I’m glad he drew my attention
to it. I don’t want God coming to me
someday saying, “Debbie, get off your high horse. You think you’re someone special just because
you have a Master’s degree. If you spent
less time focused on your career and your ‘stuff,’ you’d have more time to
focus on Me and what I want for you. It
would have been nice if you could have joined Me in heaven, but you had your
chance and blew it on worldly things-so sad!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our
God. Isaiah, Chapter 40, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When a new movie comes
out on the market, there are some who won’t go to see it immediately. They don’t just believe the advertisements
that the movie producers put out. They
are cautious, waiting until they see the movie reviews first to make sure it’s
going to be good. Well, I think that’s
why John the Baptist was important.
Others had to hear him say that Jesus was our Savior before they would
be open to believing. Those that heard
John the Baptist profess this were more willing to risk believing in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Isn’t it strange that
some have to hear someone else’s opinion before they are willing to take
risks? Well, there are people out there
who aren’t going to get to know Jesus as their Savior unless they hear us share
the positive influence Jesus has in our lives.
It makes me realize that I have a bigger responsibility than I was aware
of. My sitting quietly, rationalizing
why it’s not a good time to share this information with others may keep someone
else from getting to heaven.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related
passages from the New Testament:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet
Esaias, saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of
the Lord, make His paths straight.
Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I
send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before
Thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them
that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he. And from the days of John the
Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent
take it by force. Matthew, Chapter 11,
verses 10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil,
that put darkness for light, and Light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter! Isaiah, Chapter 5,
verse 20.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sad that having extra-marital affairs has
almost become a norm in society. People
seem to feel no remorse in doing unethical things in order to climb the ladder
of success. People who have great status
and wealth are looked upon more approvingly than those who lead good-Christian
lives. People who live according to
their Christian ethics are often ridiculed and aren’t given the same respect as
others. God calls it like He sees
it! When it comes to determining
people’s Salvation, no amount of money, status or remarks trying to justify one’s
actions are going to buy them entrance into heaven.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Which justify the wicked for reward, and take
away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,
and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and
their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the Law of the
LORD of Hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled
against His people, and He hath stretched forth His hand against them and hath
smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the
midst of the streets. For all this His
anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. Isaiah, Chapter 5, verses 23-25.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they shall teach My people the difference
between the Holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and
the clean. And in controversy they shall
stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to My judgments: and they
shall keep My Laws and My Statutes in all Mine assemblies; and they shall
hallow My Sabbaths. Ezekiel, Chapter 44,
verses 23-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so
the Lord, the God of Hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and
establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of Hosts will be
gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Amos, Chapter 5, verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is
good in the sight of the LORD, and He delighteth in them: or, Where is the God
of judgment? Malachi, Chapter 2, verse
17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of
the morning! how art thou cut down to
the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the
congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the
clouds: I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon
thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to
tremble, that did shake kingdoms. That made the world as a wilderness, and
destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? Isaiah, Chapter 14, verses 12-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is condemning Satan’s influence on mankind,
especially <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city></st1:place>. Now, if God didn’t like that Satan had tried
to become like God, don’t you think God would be equally displeased when people
professing to be Christians want to have “the god power within them?” I’m no expert, but through the things I have
read in the Bible, God usually gets pretty upset when anyone is arrogant enough
to try to gain the power of God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the
multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be
thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou are wearied in the multitude of thy
counsels. Let now the astrologers the
stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these
things that shall come upon thee.
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal
to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy
merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none
shall save thee. Isaiah, Chapter 47,
verses 12-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God seems to be telling the Babylonians
(paraphrased), “You made your bed, now lie in it!” Prior to this, God tried to refocus the
Babylonians who were being led astray.
They listened to those with power, the sorcerers and astrologers,
etc. People were paying attention to
them instead of to God. He told them
(paraphrased), “When push comes to shove, those people you looked up to are
going to hit the road and they won’t be there to protect you. But then again, you deserve it because you
ignored Me when I tried to help you. I
am the Only One who could have saved you.
So, sad!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon
Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah, Chapter 55, verses 6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s amazing, how forgiving God is. The people had been focusing on astrologers
and sorcerers rather than Him, the One True God. God told them that if they realized that they
were wrong and turned their act around, He would forgive them and take care of
them. Such divine forgiveness is
something I haven’t always been able to muster.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If people were rude to me, I might be nice to them,
but I still remembered that they had been rude to me. Well, this far surpasses any rudeness or
disloyalty we might have to endure. God
is always willing to forgive us if we ask Him and turn our act around by
focusing on His will for us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<b><br />
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot
profit. Will ye steal, murder, and
commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after
other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before Me in this house, which
is called by My Name, and say, We are delivered to do all these
abominations? Jeremiah, Chapter 7,
verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize that we don’t burn incense to idols like
Baal, and then go to church, acting like nothing ever happened. Do we do unethical things at work in order to
climb the corporate ladder and then go to church and act like nothing ever
happened? Do we flirt with people other
than our spouse and then go to church acting like nothing ever happened? Do we tell white lies to get ourselves out of
financial predicaments with the I.R.S. and then go to church acting like
nothing ever happened? Are we rude and
talk hatefully to others, even telemarketers, and then go to church acting like
nothing ever happened?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s funny how we can waltz into church acting as if
we can pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.
Maybe we can pull the wool over the eyes of most, but not God who sees
and knows who we are and what we have failed to do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Consider taking the time to tell God that you
haven’t always behaved the way He would want.
Ask Him to forgive you and give you the willingness to be a better
Christian in the future. He will do it
if you take the time to ask Him to.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn
from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. Jeremiah, Chapter 18, verse 8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember staying at my aunt’s house for a couple
of weeks during the summer. We had
wonderful fun watching the “Soaps,” eating fried egg sandwiches and just
spending time together. The girl next
door had an above ground pool. I had
been envious of her since I had gotten there.
At the end of my vacation at my aunt’s, the neighbor invited me over for
a pool party. I wasn’t allowed to go so
I ranted and raved around the house, having a “royal hissy fit” because I
didn’t get my way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My aunt had been there supporting me all along like
God supports us. Then the minute I
didn’t get everything I wanted, I had a fit and acted like everything wonderful
didn’t matter anymore. I’m sure she must
have been hurt by my ungrateful behavior, the same as God is hurt through ours.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Once I calmed down and realized how unreasonable I was,
I apologized and my aunt forgave me, much in the same way that God forgives us,
even when we have behaved hatefully. My
aunt’s forgiving nature, not harboring resentments, allowed us to enjoy our
last days of my vacation, creating fond memories to last a lifetime. Fortunately, God doesn’t keep a tally sheet
of all our shortcomings because Jesus wiped it clean. He doesn’t harbor resentments for our sinful
deeds. What an awe inspiring and
wonderful God!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And they built the high places of Baal, which are in
the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to
pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it
into My mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. Jeremiah, Chapter 32, verse 35.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What people are willing to do in the name of their
beliefs always seems to amaze me. Can
you imagine how some people were willing to have their children, their own
flesh and blood, walk through fire thinking these acts will get them
Salvation? They went to such great
lengths when all God asks of us is to<u> believe in Jesus Christ, as our
Savior, and try to live as examples of how He works in our lives</u>. He doesn’t ask that we sacrifice our
children, give all our belongings or money away to have Salvation. His request from us is pretty simple, but I
guess it seems too simple for some.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What a shame.
Some people can risk their Salvation by getting led astray by cults or
they send some TV evangelist all their money so they can get to heaven but they
aren’t turning to God. All we have to do
to get Salvation is underlined in this section.
I like to skip the middlemen and focus directly on God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nation from
before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and
dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by
following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou
inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods?
Even so will I do like wise. Thou shalt
not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which He
hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters
they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add
thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 12, verses 29-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And when the king of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Moab</st1:country-region>
saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men
that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Edom</st1:country-region></st1:place>: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have
reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>:
and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. 2 Kings, Chapter 3, verses 26-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and
said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the
astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; But there is a
God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king
Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon
thy bed, are these… Daniel, Chapter 2, verses 27-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You may want to read the rest of the second chapter
of Daniel and elsewhere in Daniel to find out what is going to happen in the
last days. It has more to do with
symbols of countries that are in power or have fallen at particular times in
history. I don’t truly understand all of
that, but I have an uncle who has studied this topic and is very knowledgeable
about this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage is included because of the people who
turned to fortune tellers, astrologers, magicians, etc. None of these could interpret the meaning of
the king’s dream, but God could. After
Daniel interpreted the dream by trusting the instincts that God gave him, the
king realized there is only One True God and it sure wasn’t the astrologers,
magicians or wizards!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do you think God would be pleased that the
influences of the astrologers, wizards and magicians have worked their way into
our lives through the newspapers, books, TV and the movies we choose? Are we spending time focusing on something
other than the One True God without even realizing it?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God had been telling Jonah to go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> to tell them to
change their ways or they would be destroyed, but Jonah had been reluctant to
do it until he was swallowed into the belly of the great fish. After God saved him, he went to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> to do God’s Will.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s
journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> shall be overthrown. So the people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> believed God, and proclaimed a fast,
and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For Word came unto the king of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place>, and he arose from
his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and
sat in ashes. And he caused it to be
proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his
nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let
them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with
sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his
evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and
turn away from His fierce anger that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned
from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that He had said that He
would do unto them; and He did it not.
Jonah, Chapter 3, verses 4-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some people believe our lives are controlled by fate
and we can’t do anything to change our lives or our fate. Well, this passage refutes that
position. The people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> lived the high
life and didn’t focus on God. They
turned their lives around after Jonah warned them that they were going to be
destroyed and God spared them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So that means that if we have made some pretty
stupid counterproductive choices in our lives, we can apologize to God and turn
our actions around. God will forgive us,
too, just like He did for the people who lived in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Bless the
LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from
destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Psalm, Chapter 103, verses 2-4.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>The LORD is
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He
keep His anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor regarded
us according to our iniquities. For as
the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear
Him. As far as the east is from the
west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the
LORD pitieth them that fear Him. Psalm,
Chapter 103, verses 8-13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But the mercy
of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His
righteousness unto children’s children: To such as keep His covenant, and to
those that remember His Commandments to do them. Psalm, Chapter 103, verses 17-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider
your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring
in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with
drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth
wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. Haggai, Chapter 1, verses 5-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me think of times when anything I
have doesn’t seem like enough. I have
food, but I wish I had better food. I
have clothes, but I wish I had better clothes.
I have friends, but I wish I had “status” friends. I have a job, but I wish I had a “high level
job”. I have money, but I wish I had
more money.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Am I ever grateful for what I have? I sure wouldn’t want God saying, “Debbie is
so ungrateful for all I’ve given her. If
she thinks things are tough now, wait until she sees tough. I’m wasting my efforts here. I’ll spend My time helping some other
Christian who appreciates what I do more than she does!” Something for me to think about, what about
you?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye
every man the Truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of Truth and peace
in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his
neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith
the Lord. Zechariah, Chapter 8, verses
16-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Boy, this makes me think of all the times that I
secretly hoped that all of the cheerleaders would get fat. What a terrible thing to wish on other
people.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been
witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt
treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not He make one? Yet had He the residue of the Spirit, and
wherefore one? That He might seek a
Godly Seed, Therefore take heed to your Spirit, and let none deal treacherously
against the wife of his youth. For the
Lord, the God of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
saith that He hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment,
saith the Lord of Hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not
treacherously. Malachi, Chapter 2,
verses 14-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some people are able to grab a Bible and quote
verses out of it to support their abuse of their wives and children. I want to tell each and every one of you now;
God <u>Does Not </u>condone abuse whether it’s physical, sexual, mental or any
other type of abuse. Anyone who thinks
God says those behaviors are permissible in the Bible, is twisting things
around (pulling passages out of context) to support their criminal and
inappropriate behavior!!! They can
possibly hide the abuse from others by trying to justify their actions, but
they can’t hide it from God.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will
be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and
against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his
wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his
right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of Hosts. Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God tells us about lots of lifestyle choices that
don’t meet with His approval. One of the
things I was thinking about is the part about not oppressing the hireling in
his wages or turning aside the stranger from his right.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I live in an area where there is a large Hispanic
population; many coming here directly from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place>. I see that business owners take advantage of
them and it’s almost a common practice.
The cost of living is high and so are the wages. The businessmen pay the Hispanic workers
sub-standard wages, being able to get away with it because these hard-working
people don’t know the system or the language to dispute this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember driving by a construction site on a
Sunday evening, about <st1:time hour="19" minute="0" w:st="on">7:00 p.m.</st1:time> There were 5-6 Hispanic workers busily
digging and installing something at the apartment complex construction site. I was thinking that the vast majority of
people wouldn’t be working on a Sunday night doing physical labor, especially
without being paid overtime. (I highly
doubt that these men were even offered any overtime.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The sad thing is these employees are generally
extremely hard workers, but are often treated without the respect they
deserve. Even if we aren’t the people
employing them and paying them the extremely low wages, we might be guilty of
not paying them the respect and dignity they deserve as God’s people?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what
profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked
mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?
Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Boy! Are we ever an “I-Me” population, looking out
for ourselves as a “What’s In It for Me Christian?” My impression is that God wants unconditional
love. He doesn’t want Christians who are
only doing it to look good to other members of society. He doesn’t want Christians who are doing it
to reap the many rewards God gives His followers. He wants Christians who genuinely love and
follow Him and His Word, regardless of the consequences, both positive and
negative.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Are we looking at our belief, saying, “Hey, what’s
it for me to get up each week and go to church?…to be kind to others? to take risks to be examples of our faith in
the workplace?” Something to think
about!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>(Well, this is my last editing before I send this
back to the publishers, and I just had to share this with you. I’ve been telling you throughout this book
that I haven’t been taking the risks to share my love for Jesus with
others. I’ve always been afraid they
would think that I’m a religious fanatic and back away. Writing this book has been an extremely
eye-opening experience for me, making me much more aware of my weaknesses as a
“Self-absorbed Christian.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, about five minutes ago, I was thumbing through
the church newsletter while I was munching on something and saw a request. It was asking for a volunteer to do a Bible
Study at a local nursing home. I
surprised myself and decided to act on it right away before I got cold
feet. Unfortunately, the person wasn’t
there but I left a message saying that I would be willing to lead the Bible
Study and asked that they call me back.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The more I got to thinking about it, I thought this
book would probably be ideal to use for the Bible Study. Nope, I’m not trying to sell more books,
although additional sales will help whichever charity I choose to donate the
proceeds to. What I was thinking is that
I have this book on my computer. I could
copy several pages each week and enlarge the print to make it easier for the
people in the nursing home to read. We
could talk about how they relate to the passages. Although I haven’t listed every passage in
the Bible that relates to a given topic, I occasionally have other passages
that support a great many of them. This
may take us off into different directions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You realize that I’m talking this all out with you,
processing it as I write. I think I like
this idea, because I know that the passages I have listed in this book come
from the King James Bible. Then I don’t
have to be concerned about which study guide to pick, worrying if another
author’s point of view matches my belief in Jesus as my Savior.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m starting to get excited about this whole new
adventure. I almost feel a little teary
eyed. When I started this book, I said
that I would see where God leads me and within minutes of being finished with
the final editing, I read the request in the newsletter. Not two weeks earlier where I would have
thought that I still had too much to do or two months later, when I might have
slipped away from my resolve to take more risks. God had me read it minutes before
finishing. God works that way in my life
and can work that way in your life too, if you let Him. I know you’re a captive audience, but thanks
for being here with me as I grow in my relationship with God. He has positively influenced my life through
reading the Bible on a daily basis and He can do this for you too. Thanks again.
D.S.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work
wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance
was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His
Name. And they shall be Mine, saith the
Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as
a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked,
between him that serveth God and him not.
Malachi, Chapter 3, verses 15-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was just talking about how some business people
take advantage of the Hispanic workforce.
Management talks behind their backs, talks down to them and takes
advantage of them financially, treating them like sub-standard human beings. Now, these workers may or may not realize
that they are being treated poorly, because some of them don’t understand the
language.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do you think we can pull the same thing on God and
get away with it? Think again! He knows when we have a perfect opportunity
to share our belief with others, but we are too embarrassed to mention it. He knows when we take advantage of others or
make fun of them. He knows when we put
work before Him and our families. He
knows when we only turn to Him in dire trouble, but we forget about Him until
the next traumatic situation. He knows
when we harbor hatred, jealousy and resentment toward others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Although He is very forgiving, God will remember
these things, using them to help determine if we are one of His “Jewels” or
not. Are you one of His “Jewels”? It’s never too late to reassess your actions
and to change them around. Reading this
book has given you the opportunity to see things from a different perspective.
You have a choice. You can decide to
start reading the Bible on a daily basis or you can ignore what you have
read. I pray that God opens your heart
to be willing to do His will. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For, Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an
oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and
the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall
leave them neither root nor branch. But
unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in
His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they
shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this,
saith the Lord of Hosts. Malachi,
Chapter 4, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think of when I’m driving the speed
limit and someone in my car gets annoyed.
They tell me that I need to just “blend in” with the others (going the
same speed that others are driving, so as to not be noticed). At times, I let people persuade me to go
faster to “blend in” with the flow of traffic, still knowing I’m driving at a
speed that’s against the law.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Are we, as Christians, finding ourselves “blending
in” with a lifestyle speed of the people we associate with, so our actions go
unnoticed? Do we use God’s Name in vain
because everyone else does? That way we
don’t stand out in a crowd as a Christian.
Do we do unethical things at work because everyone else does them? Well, we are exceeding God’s speed limit for
our lives and we know it. Even if we
“blend in” with lifestyles similar to others, we have to make a decision. Do we want to be one of God’s “Jewels” or
just “blend in” with the traffic of lifestyle choices that won’t get us to
Heaven?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You have a chance to make a monumental change in
your life and to show your commitment to God.
No, you don’t have to shave your head and sell flowers on street
corners! You just have to make a
conscious effort to live as an example of God’s influence on your life. If you listen to the instincts that God gives
you instead of listening to the urges of society to “blend in” with the traffic
of life, you will attain the ultimate goal of Salvation through Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I want to, again, explain that I do not profess to
be an expert on the Bible. Read the
passages noted and see what God is saying to you through them. I have read the Bible from cover to cover
sixteen plus times now, and every time I read a passage, I get something
totally new from of it. God gave me a
feeling that I should share how reading the Bible on a regular basis has
positively influenced my life and deepened my relationship with Him, and may do
the same for you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I apologize if I have offended anyone, because that
isn’t the intent of this book. There
were times I thought about not writing particular things, not wanting to offend
people I care about or for fear of antagonizing the media and the business
world. If I had done that, I would just
be “blending in” with the traffic of life instead of genuinely expressing how
God has influenced my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It is my desire that you will come to relate to the
Bible in a way that is personally significant to you. If nothing else, I hope that this gives you
things to think about as you use the instincts that God gives you while reading
your Bible.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 297pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>D. S.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
</b><div class="WordSection2">
<h1>
About the Author<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Debra Seiling has a unique
way of explaining how selected Bible passages can influence the reader’s
life. Her fifteen years of teaching
experience, M.Ed. and a quest for accuracy, led her to read the Bible from
cover to cover to locate the often quoted saying, “god helps him who helps
himself.” Although surprised with her
findings, she enjoyed reading the Bible so much that she continued to read it
sixteen plus times. The author states
that each time she reads the Bible; she gets whole new insights from it. It is her desire that readers will become
empowered to relate to the Bible in a more personal way, as they read <i>Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>
As you read the book, look
for some of the interesting types of Christians that the author refers to
throughout the book.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: auto; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span>
<br />
</b><div class="WordSection3">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Show Off Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Have Your Cake and Eat It Too Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Back Seat Driver Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dragging Your Feet Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Freeloader Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hold Grudges Against Others Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Just When It’s Convenient Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Blind Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Self-righteous Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Old Maid Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bird in the Hand Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Gimme Gimme Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Luke-warm Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Selective Listening Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Do as I Say, Not as I Do Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sell-out Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Made in the Shade Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What’s In It for Me Christian<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Self-absorbed Christian</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/">A Christian Caregiver</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://itsnotcool2bully.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">It's Not Cool 2 Bully!</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ's Grace Abounds</span></a></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://creation-matters.blogspot.com/">Creation: What's It Matter?</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://jesusissonofgod.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Know Jesus Is God's Son</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="http://free2sharevbs.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Free 2 Share VBS (Free VBS Curriculum)</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support Links</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatdoyouractionssay2jesus.blogspot.com/">Jesus Calls, But Do Your Actions Say You Don't Desire Him?</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><a href="https://videoanswersaboutgod.blogspot.com/">Video Answers About God, Jesus, Creation, Disaster, Etc. via You Tube</a></u></span></b><br />
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-20238063741524220462020-03-26T09:46:00.004-05:002023-02-08T17:39:06.519-06:001st Portion of Bible Passages for Free-Click these Words: The Rest is in the 2nd Picture Link Below This<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixrvgzRFJUjCcBLP4qcEe8Xs5EH3N121QI3fe5HSSjeH2S41muzFU3BpTKMpSoIPUGvNYRHEFpInwAv2Ye5iCKI2dzzfRcbKCi0flsp60sP5pdiJLSwovW6uNDdqis2rKXN2u1ljulFY/s320/Cropped+Book+Cover.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>During this time of Rapid Change, We Need to Connect to Christ and the Message He Has for Us in the Bible.</b></span><br />
<b> I wanted easier access for you to get the whole book to read for free. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="WordSection1">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">This
book is dedicated to God who inspires me on a daily basis</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">through</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bible</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">passages</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">that</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">touch</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">and</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">influence</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">my life.
He has provided me with wonderful family, friends</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and co-workers. These wonderful people have supported me,
listened to me or have given me feedback throughout the writing process. They did this regardless of whether my
interpretations were similar to theirs, or not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>I feel truly blessed!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>D. S.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Special Thanks go to Bev,
who spent many long hours helping to edit this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; page-break-before: always;" />
<br clear="all" style="break-before: page; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</b><br />
<h1>
Foreword<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>In much the same way that Reality shows allow the
observer to take a glimpse into another person’s life, thoughts and decisions,
this book allows you a very candid, enlightening glimpse into my personal and
spiritual life. The Reality show doesn’t
just portray the strengths of the person observed. It also portrays the weaknesses, as does this
book. Reading the Bible on a daily basis
has positively enriched my life in ways that go far beyond literal
interpretation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Although this book has the potential of being
controversial, it is not my intent to offend any person, group or religious
belief. I feel obliged to honestly
express how the selected Bible passages have influenced my life and would be
negligent, as an author and a Christian, to do anything less.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>It’s my desire for readers of all ages and religious
backgrounds to find that reading the Bible never becomes outdated and continues
to hold personal significance for all types of readers of the new millennium.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b> D.S.</b></span></div></div>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Would you believe that a fable got me started
reading the Bible? In 1980, someone said
something to me about, “god helps him who helps himself,” and referred to it
being in the Bible. I had heard this
saying over the years, but realized it contradicted some other things I had
read in the Bible. I looked through the
Concordance at the back of my Bible but couldn’t find this passage
anywhere. Perplexed, I decided the only
way I would know if it was in the Bible was for me to read it from cover to
cover for myself. Now, this decision
wasn’t based solely on my frustration about this quote. I had a neighbor who quoted different
contradictory things from the Bible, as well.
I figured that I needed to read the Bible to see what God really said
about the topics the neighbor kept referring to. I get concerned when people quote passages
from the Bible out of context, making them sound the way they want.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, it’s twenty-three years later and I have
completely read the Bible from cover to cover sixteen plus times. “God helps him who helps himself,” is not in
it anywhere! Actually, the Bible says
that we are supposed to turn to God for our every need, trusting that He will
provide for us (paraphrased.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was frustrated as I continued to hear people quote
this, because I couldn’t figure out where people got it. Most of the people who used this quote, said
it as if they thought it came from the Bible.
Well, I finally have closure on this…after all this time!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was reading some <i>Aesop’s Fables</i> to my
students. They have to be able to
identify the moral of a story for a test they have in the spring. I decided that I could help them be more
successful on the test if I had them identify the morals from <i>Aesop’s
Fables. </i>Well, after reading “<i>Hercules and the Wagoner,</i>” I finally
realized where “god helps him who helps himself” came from. It’s from this fable! The moral written for this fable is “Self
help is the best help” and “Heaven helps those who help themselves.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When they are talking about god, they aren’t talking
about God. They are talking about the
mythological character, Hercules. I bet
most people haven’t the slightest idea that they are quoting a fable instead of
the Bible.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This may seem like a trivial thing, but it has been
a confusing issue to me for twenty-three years and now it’s resolved! I feel so relieved and wanted to share this
with others. Actually, this has really
worked out well in the long run. If it
hadn’t been for my inability to find this quote in the Bible, I might not have
been motivated to read the Bible from cover to cover. I enjoy reading it so much that I continue to
read it from cover to cover again and again.
Every time I read it, I get something new out of it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Particular passages in the Bible have really
influenced my life and have molded my relationship with God. I felt led to share these with you, since
they may have a similar impact on your life, as well.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Whenever someone quotes Bible passages, it’s really
good to read them for yourself. You should
read a portion before and after the passage.
This helps you know if people are pulling these passages from the Bible
out of context, distorting the meaning by making it sound the way they want.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I use the King James Bible for my quotes which tends
to spell things somewhat differently than we do (example: labour for
labor). In order to keep the passages
just as they are in the Bible, I use the exact spellings, punctuation,
capitalizations or lack thereof in order to not alter the passage. I do attempt to explain what these passages
mean to me, or I describe how they have influenced my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not a minister and don’t profess to be one, but
I feel that reading the Bible can influence your life, as well. Will it impact your life in exactly the same
way? Probably not, the Bible is a very
personal thing. If 1,000 different
people read the Bible, there would be 1,000 different interpretations. Every time I read the Bible, passages I have
read before often mean something totally different to me, depending on what is
going on in my life at the time. God
uses the Bible as a means of communicating His personal message for each and
every one of us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Reading the Bible may seem like a major undertaking
for some of you. Actually, after you get
through the “thee’s” and “thou’s,” it’s not as difficult to understand as you
might think. A chapter in the Bible isn’t like a chapter in a novel. A Bible chapter is generally about one to two
columns long. It’s hardly ever longer
than a page or two, at most. I read at
least one to two chapters a day for about 10-15 minutes. It takes me an anywhere from one year to two
years to read the Bible from cover to cover, depending on how many chapters I
read each day. It’s so rewarding that
you might consider reading it yourself!
The quiet time I have with God each day as I read the Bible, sets a
positive tone for my day and my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was just beginning to read the New Testament when
I started writing this book. That’s why
the New Testament is written first and the Old Testament is written
afterward. After I finished writing the
book, I had thought about cutting and pasting the Old Testament first but
realized it wouldn’t work. As I wrote
the book, I made comments about passages and referred back to them at other
times. If I put the Old Testament in the
beginning, some of the comments I share with you would be out of sequence. I am hoping that leaving the book in this
order doesn’t cause a problem for anyone.
If it does, I apologize in advance, but still feel this book has many
redeeming qualities, more significant than whether the Old Testament is listed
first or second.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The passages in <i>italics</i> are from the
Bible. Otherwise, they are my personal
comments on how these passages have influenced my life. I also try to capitalize any reference to
God/Jesus out of respect, which makes it easier for you to follow who is
speaking or being spoken to. I may group
similar passages from the Bible together so that you have an approximate idea
of how many times God stresses a particular topic. The sheer number of times that God has had
something mentioned in the Bible has led me to make changes in my life. Although you may not relate to these passages
in the same ways I have, the reader can be influenced by the Bible in a way
that is personally significant to them. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then was Jesus
led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty
nights, He was afterward an hungered.
And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread.
But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God. Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was a child, I saw a big bowl of my mother’s
home-made butterscotch pudding sitting on the kitchen cupboard. I looked around and couldn’t see anyone, so I
sneaked over to the bowl and ran my finger around the side of the bowl. I ever so carefully got a small amount of
pudding on my pudgy finger and licked it off.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I thought I was going to get off “Scott free” but I
didn’t realize there were spies about and a bounty on pudding thieves. After being told the pudding had to be thrown
out because I had gotten germs all over it, my consequence was to be sent to my
room. Instead of being remorseful for
what I did, my thoughts were, “If I had known the pudding would be thrown out,
I would have eaten a whole bunch instead of a little bit. That would have made my consequence much more
worthwhile.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I gave in to these temptations and lost my
perspective of right and wrong and I hadn’t even been fasting for forty days
like Jesus. In fact, I had eaten a
filling lunch but still was vulnerable to the lure dangled in front of me. Now some might think that this isn’t a major
sin but don’t realize that Satan works in very subtle ways to get us to
rationalize our actions. He is able to
lead us astray without our ever realizing it.
Fortunately for me, Jesus didn’t give in to the temptations for food,
status or power that we often fall prey to.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Then the
devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the
temple, And saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for
it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee; and in their
hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a
stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written
again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 5-7.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Again, the
devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth Him all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: And saith unto Him, all these
things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence,
Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only
shalt thou serve. Matthew, Chapter 4, verses
8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus,
walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew
his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me and I will
make you fishers of men. And they
straightway left their nets, and followed Him.
Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 18-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember getting a round hot pad called a “Round
Tuit.” It’s a gag gift you give to
people who always answer that they will do things when they get “around to
it.” I realize that the disciples didn’t
even know Jesus, but when He asked them to be fishers of men, the disciples
dropped everything, no questions asked.
In contrast, here I am asking for a “Round Tuit” saying by my actions,
“Well, I’m busy right now, God, but I might talk to others about the impact
You’ve left on my life when I get around to it.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And going on
from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called
them. And they immediately left the ship
and their father and followed Him.
Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And another
of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my
father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow
Me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew, Chapter 8, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And as Jesus
passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt
of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow Me, And he arose, and followed
Him. Matthew, Chapter 9, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*So when they
had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more
than these? He saith unto Him, Yea,
Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He
saith unto him, Feed My lambs. He saith
unto him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: Thou knowest
that I love Thee. He saith unto him,
Feed My sheep. He saith unto him the
third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest Thou Me? Peter was grieved because He said unto him
the third time, Lovest thou Me? And he
said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love
Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed My
sheep. John, Chapter 21, verses 15-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He opened
His Mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall
see God. Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for My sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 2-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I picture this as a pep talk with Jesus as the coach
of a team of Christians. He might say
something like, “Of course there are teams that get ahead because they do
unethical things, and the ones focused on playing a good honest game on earth
don’t get ahead. I know the team takes a
hit for playing the game ethically and sometimes gets laughed at. I know you definitely don’t rake in the big
bucks and status the way other players do.
I promise that you will have your compensation in heaven for all your
hard work and sacrifice on My behalf.
Your efforts never go unnoticed and will be repaid. Keep up the good work and don’t let the world
get you down!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And every one
that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or
wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit everlasting life.
Matthew, Chapter 19, verse 29.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid. Neither do men light a candle, and
put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light unto all that
are in the house. Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven. Matthew, Chapter 5,
verses 14-16.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’ve kept my relationship with God hidden under a
bushel for most of my life. I’m not much
for walking door to door to talk to strangers about God. I haven’t done much to try to actively
convert people. I guess writing this
book isn’t any big-time “shining” when you think about it. I’m sharing this information in a low risk
fashion. I need to make more of an
attempt to take the risks that God needs me to on His behalf. I guess I have to start somewhere and this is
it. I will see where God leads me from
here.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye have heard
that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say
unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 27-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This makes me think of when I am attracted to
particular male movie stars and have thought inappropriate things that only God
knows about. He also knows all the times
that I think mean, hateful things about other people. Of course, no one else knows these things
except for God and me, but I just stuff them under my spiritual rug like
someone who can’t find a dustpan. God
sees what I think and what’s under my rug, so I need to start “cleaning house”
soon!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an
eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but
whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other side
also. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 38-39.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When frustrated with someone who has been rude or
insensitive to me, it’s really easy for me to say something back, displaying
less than Christian behavior. I may not
say something rude, but if I pull an attitude, harboring hatred or resentment
toward that person, I haven’t genuinely turned the other cheek. It’s important for me to remember to turn my
feelings over to God when these occasions arise.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on
the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For
if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 43-46.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God isn’t asking me to ignore hurtful and spiteful
things that people do because I am a Christian.
He is<i> </i>asking me to go further than that. He wants me to be nice to them in return,
despite their actions and to pray for them.
I think we are much better examples of our beliefs when we don’t stoop
to the same level as others, but it’s difficult at times. God can take care of my pride if I ask Him
to, making me a better example of how He works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be
seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in
heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine
alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their
reward. But when thou doest alms, let
not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in
secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee
openly. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me very aware that I need to be
discreet about giving to the church and other charities. I remember that there was a time in my life
that I routinely did favors and nice things for others. What I really was waiting for was a “thank
you” or what I call a “Good Debbie.” I
was waiting for someone else to tell me what a wonderful person I was as if to
validate my existence here on earth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize my goal as a Christian is to do nice
things discreetly. So now I do them for
God and not the “Good Debbie’s”. The
good works we do for others shouldn’t be to show off or to prove to others what
good Christians we are. They should be
out of our love for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants me to be discreet when I pray, as
well. I shouldn’t do it in a way that
attracts other people’s attention, especially when to do so might put me in the
position to gain the respect or admiration of others. My prayers aren’t for personal gain but are
my personal communication with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking. Matthew, Chapter 6, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I get caught up in thinking that I’m saying these
wonderful prayers, but I recognize that they don’t mean anything if I’m
daydreaming about situations at work or what I need to get at the store. I realize that when I say the same prayers
over and over without thinking about what I’m saying to God, they ARE vain
repetitions! God doesn’t want me just
going through the motions when I pray.
He wants any communication I have with Him to be meaningful enough to
focus on it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>This people
draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but
their heart is far from Me. But in vain
they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew, Chapter 15, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Every time I pray, I ask God to forgive all of my
sins, but do I do the same? I find
myself harboring resentment towards others instead of letting it go. I find that if I hold onto hatred, anger or
resentment, which eats at me, I’m not the example that God wants me to be in my
everyday life. I can set a better
Christian example by forgiving others, letting God take the resentment away
when I ask Him. One of the best ways I
have to let my “light shine” for God is by being an example of how He works in
my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of
a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto
men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine
head, and wash thy face, That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy
Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward
thee openly. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses
16-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember when I was little, the neighbor kids and
I would gloat in front of others by saying things like, “Ha, ha, ha. I have a new bike and you don’t!” These statements were to bring about the envy
of some and the admiration of others.
Well, as Christians, we are tempted to “show off” for the very same
reasons.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realized through this passage that God doesn’t
want me to be a martyr, getting the attention of others when I fast or do
things for Him. That draws too much
attention to me. There’s the possibility
that I might get caught up in trying to be a “Show off Christian” so others
will see how pious I am.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, because it’s
my way of trying to focus on all the suffering Jesus went through for us. When I fast, I need to make sure not to draw
undue attention to myself. That’s
exactly what would happen if I sat with others at work and made it very
apparent that I wasn’t eating anything.
Now I develop a plan to do it in a manner that doesn’t let anyone else
know what I’m doing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The feeling I get when we read the Bible is that
anything we do for God should be done privately. Drawing attention to ourselves and what we
are doing for Him is counterproductive.
It takes away from our gesture for God and should be done out of pure
love and not for the attention we can milk out of it!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 19-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think my faith in Jesus is like a savings account,
but the bank isn’t here on earth, it’s in heaven. My belief in Jesus is the minimum investment
a Christian has to make to get this special savings account. This investment can lie there dormant, with
no additional deposits made and eventually be put in the inactive file. Or I can make deposits by the things I do as
an example of how Jesus works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, thieves can steal the money from banks on
earth, but the only one who will take away the “money” from my heavenly account
is me, by leading a worldly life that leads me astray. If I’m planning on having a good “nest egg”
built up in my Salvation account, then I should be more focused on leading a
Christian life, reflecting this goal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man
hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom
of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had
found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought
it. Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 44-46.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">No man can
serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else
he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[wealth, riches and possessions]<i>. Matthew, Chapter 6, verse 24.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I have tried to be a “Have My Cake and Eat It Too
Christian,” but it just doesn’t work that way.
I thought I could balance my faith like a teeter totter, with Jesus on
one side and getting ahead in my job, having nice things and a decent bank
account on the other side. Well, what I
have found is that when my focus is on getting ahead in my job, possessions and
wealth; the worldly end of the teeter totter goes up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was pleased by the growth I saw in these worldly
areas, but when I looked back on the other side of the teeter totter, I saw
Jesus sitting there at the bottom of my priorities. Although I’ve tried various ways to maintain
a balance to have my cake and eat it too, it just doesn’t work. I need to make the necessary changes to have
Jesus on top as my primary goal. When I
do this, the job, possessions and wealth are at the bottom of my priorities
which doesn’t really seem to matter much, because Jesus provides for my every
need.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>No servant can serve two masters: for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God
and mammon. Luke, Chapter 16, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>These are some of my most favorite Bible
verses. In fact, I love this passage so
much that I asked the minister to say this at my wedding. It is long but it’s wonderful!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your
life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye
shall put on. Is not the life more than
meat, and the body than raiment? Behold
the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they
grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much
more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed? (For after all these things do
the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>,
and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for
the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof. Matthew, Chapter 6, verses
25-34.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage has been instrumental in a major change
in my relationship with God. Most people
have some type of vice. Various people
drink, some have affairs, others use drugs, but mine is my need to be in
control. It’s really difficult for me to
not be in total control of all aspects of my life, as well as, other situations
that arise. I remember how I used to
plan, calculate and budget every single cent.
I would do this a month in advance, fretting over my finances the rest
of the month. Although, this might be
good for someone who spends too much money, it wasn’t good for me because I
wasn’t letting God be in control of my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think people with control issues are probably
great people to have on committees, because they make sure all the details are
taken care of. It’s not always a
blessing to be that much in control of things.
When I’m in total control of everything in my life, I’m not trusting God
to take care of me because I’m too busy trying to plan everything. It’s kind of like I’m saying, “Wait in the
wings, God. Let me see what I can do
first and if I can’t figure it out, then I’ll turn to You for help.” Everything I read in the Bible states
repeatedly that God wants me to turn to Him for everything. That’s why I’m writing this book. It’s to show people that God doesn’t say,
“God helps him who helps himself.” God wants us to turn to Him in all things
(paraphrased).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Control also played a part in my eating
problem. I used to be around 70-80
pounds heavier. I always figured that I
could lose the weight if I went on my “good diet” and stuck with it. I joined about every weight loss group around
and several times, at that! I went on my
“good diet” and found it wasn’t productive either. Then I sat down in my bedroom one day and
said, “I give up, God. I’m always going
to be heavy. God, if you want me to ever
be thin, You’ll have to take care of it because I can’t,”…and you know what, He
did!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>From that moment on, the desire for sweets and great
quantities of food were taken away from me.
I didn’t do anything, in and of myself.
God did it all! This all happened
because I asked God to take care of it.
I guess this was probably one of the first times I had really given up
my control. The reason I said this
prayer wasn’t because I was expecting God to take all my weight away. I was just giving up and was turning it all
over to God because I didn’t want to worry about being heavy anymore. He used this miracle to turn my life around
and to show me that He needs to be the One in control of my life, not me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If God takes care of things in nature, He will
surely take care of me and all my needs.
I find that when I’m not spending so much time trying to be in control
of situations and people, I have much more time to spend focusing on God and my
family. That’s because I’m trusting God
to take care of situations that arise.
Now, this isn’t to say I don’t slip into that control mode, at
times. It’s my vice. I think Satan knows that anytime I’m in my
control mode, I’m using the “I’s” and “Me’s” to make things happen. In other words, I’m controlling situations,
which means I’m not focusing on God. I’m
glad God takes the time to keep reminding me that I need to turn to Him in all
things.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There is a similar passage to this that will be
included elsewhere in the book.
Sometimes I include those passages separately because there is something
significant that I would like to share at that time. Other times, I include additional or related
Bible verses below the passage. I find
it interesting to compare other passages with similar topics.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And when they had sent away the multitude, they took
Him even as He was in the ship. And
there were also with Him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship,
so that it was now full. And He was in
the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say
unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the
wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?
how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to
another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey
Him? Mark, Chapter 4, verses 36-41.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Give not that
which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest
they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Matthew, Chapter 7, verse 6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was in high school there were lots of
different groups of kids. Well, they
called one of these groups the “dopers” mainly because their lives revolved
around recreational drugs, losing sight of all else. As a Christian, I value my faith in Jesus
above all else (my pearls.) I could have
walked into the crowd of “dopers” and told them that Jesus has positively influenced
my life in ways that I would like to share with them. Do you think I would get a warm
response? You’re right; they would tell
me to get out of there and give me a hard time, not being open to any of the
things that I wanted to share with them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My faith in Jesus is better shared with those who
might possibly be open to listening to me.
Now that doesn’t mean that I am not to share my faith with those who use
recreational drugs or have worldly lifestyles.
I can choose my timing wisely and approach those people one-on-one, at a
time where I think they might be more receptive. If I really want to share my relationship
with Jesus, I will try to maximize my potential of successfully doing this.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And whosoever
shall not receive you, nor hear your Words, when ye depart out of that house or
city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Sodom</st1:placename></st1:place> and Gomorrha in the day of
judgment, than for that city. Matthew,
Chapter 10, verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath
day. And when He was departed thence, He
went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand
withered. And they asked Him, saying, Is
it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse Him. And He said unto them, What man shall there
be among you, that shall have one sheep, and it fall into a pit on the Sabbath
day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep?
Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 8-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This was of special interest to me. I had read in several different sections in
the Bible that we aren’t to do work on the Sabbath. This isn’t something my particular church
promotes, but it’s written in the Bible in so many places that I figured God
wants people to pay attention to it. I
don’t really think it matters to God whether people choose Saturday or Sunday
to worship Him, as long as we choose one of the days to abstain from work while
focusing on Him and relaxing. My
impression is that God realized some people are workaholics and need some down
time. If people worked on the Sabbath
and didn’t have a family day to relax and worship together, each family member
might be likely to go off in a different direction.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I had a dilemma a few years ago that relates to this
passage. When I went to visit my elderly
grandparents after church, I wanted to do household jobs that they couldn’t do
but didn’t want to go against the Bible by working on the Sabbath. This passage solved that dilemma, because
Jesus said that it was alright to help someone on the Sabbath. After realizing this, I was able to help my
grandparents and not feel like I was compromising my beliefs.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes the related passages that I list below the
main entry refer to the same general topic.
Other times the related passages that are below the main entry sound
almost identical. I feel it’s important
for the reader to see these even though they may sound redundant. Many of the disciples were with Jesus and got
an opportunity to see and experience some of the same things. They shared these observations from their
perspective as God led them to write portions of the Bible. Although these accounts may differ somewhat
in wording, they are especially significant because they show that Jesus really
did exist and is not a figment of someone’s imagination. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that
He entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand
was withered. And the scribes and
Pharisees watched Him, whether He would heal on the Sabbath day; that they
might find an accusation against Him.
But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered
hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.
And he arose and stood forth.
Then said Jesus unto them. I will
ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do
evil? to save life, or to destroy
it? And looking round about upon them
all, He said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored
whole as the other. And they were filled
with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. And it came to pass in those days, that He
went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to
God. And when it was day, He called Him
His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles. Luke, Chapter 6, verses 6-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And the ruler of the synagogue answered with
indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto
the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore
come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou
hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from
the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a
daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed
from this bond on the Sabbath day? And when He had said these things, all His
adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious
things that were done by Him. Luke, Chapter
13, verses 14-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And behold, there was a certain man before him
which had the dropsy. And Jesus
answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on
the Sabbath day? And they held their
peace. And He took him, and healed him,
and let him go; And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an
ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath
day? And they could not answer Him again
to these things. Luke, Chapter 14,
verses 2-6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from
doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of
the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own pleasure, nor
speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I
will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with
the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the Mouth of the LORD hath spoken
it. Isaiah, Chapter 58, verses 13-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then was
brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed
him, insomuch that the blind and the dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is
not this the Son of David? But when the
Pharisees heard it, they said, This Fellow doth not cast out devils, but by
Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And
Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself
shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself;
how shall then his kingdom stand? And if
I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of
God, then the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is come unto
you. Or else how can one enter into a
strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong
man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with Me is against Me; and he
that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be
forgiven unto men. And whosoever
speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever
speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this
world, neither in the world to come.
Matthew, Chapter 12, verses 22-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I found that my students had their limits. They may have tolerated someone calling them
names and teasing them, but once someone said something hateful about their
Mother, it put the situation in a whole other ballpark. Well, I think Jesus is responding in a
similar fashion. I think He’s saying
something like, “O.K. I may have put up with you saying stupid things like I
must be Satan, because I am able to heal the deaf and dumb. It really doesn’t make any sense to start
with. A house divided against itself
will fall, so Satan couldn’t cast himself out.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>“You’re just looking for things to confuse people
and discredit the miracles that I do to prove that I’m your Savior. Well, I may have tolerated you belittling Me,
but I sure won’t tolerate you belittling the Holy Ghost. I’m warning you now; if you continue to do
that, you will live to regret it because it’s intolerable! Although you don’t know it yet, I’m here to
save you from your sins, but people who say hateful things against the Holy
Ghost won’t even get a second chance.
They will lose any hope for Salvation.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Therefore
speak I to them in parables; because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear
not, neither do they understand. And in
them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall
hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not
perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>But
blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets
and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not
seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard
them. Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’ve walked up to a child who was upset. I had planned to distract them from their
anger by telling them the class was going to do something fun like cook or do a
craft, but they were so angry that they couldn’t hear what I was going to tell
them. When they saw me approaching, they
covered their ears and started making sounds to block out anything I might
say. I usually walk away thinking that
it’s their loss, because they miss out on the fun activity that I was going to
tell them about.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s a shame that there are still some who aren’t
open to hearing that Jesus is our Savior.
They are the ones who will miss out on the opportunity for Salvation,
which is sad. It’s difficult to get
through to people when they have deliberately closed their minds, eyes and ears
to what we have to share.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Another
parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a
man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[weeds]<i> among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought
forth fruit, then appeared tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst
not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done
this. The servants said unto him, Wilt
thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares ye root up also the
wheat with them. Let both grow together
until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather
ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather
the wheat into my barn. Matthew, Chapter
13, verses 24-30. <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then Jesus
sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto
Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that
soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; The field is the world; the good seed
are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked
one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the
world; and the reapers are the angels.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it
be in the end of this world. The Son of
Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all
things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who
hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 36-43.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is also like when you make popcorn. Pretend all the fully popped kernels are
those who believe Jesus is their Savior and try to lead their lives
accordingly. The unpopped kernels or “Old
Maids” are those who have fallen prey to Satan’s enticements to live a worldly
life. After you pop the popcorn, you
debate whether to pick out all the “Old Maids,” since there are quite a few, or
to leave them in.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Some of the popcorn kernels are partially popped,
but you decide to count them as “Old Maids,” because they really aren’t the
same as fully popped popcorn. This is
similar to people who know Jesus is our Savior, but don’t put any effort into
praying or leading a life that reflects their love for Him. You think about it and decide to dump all the
popcorn into a paper bag to eat rather than pulling the “Old Maids” out. That symbolizes both Christians and
non-Christians living together on earth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The fully popped popcorn is chosen and is removed
from the bag, representing the Christians who will be chosen and will have Salvation
in heaven. All the “Old Maids” and
partial “Old Maids” will be discarded when you throw the paper bag into the
garbage can. This represents those with
a worldly focus who will be going to hell.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want be discarded like an “Old Maid
Christian,” so I need to live my life accordingly.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered
of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and
gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the
angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall
cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth. Matthew, Chapter 13, verses
47-50.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Another
parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a
woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was
leavened. Matthew, Chapter 13, verse 33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not really sure what this means but will explain
what it makes me think of. It reminds me
of an office that I worked in for the government, some years ago. When I first started working there, the group
of ladies I had break with, spent a lot of time complaining and harping about
unproductive issues. After I felt more
comfortable and mentioned my faith in Jesus, I found that some of those ladies
opened up about their faith, as well, and the tone of our breaks seemed to
change. They seemed kinder to each other
and our discussions weren’t focused around unproductive issues and griping.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think Christians have the ability to be a positive
influence through their example, even though it may seem insignificant at the
time. This may set the foundation for
spiritual growth in someone, similar to how the flour grew from a little bit of
yeast.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This Bible passage is when Jesus walked on the water
to meet the boat with the disciples on it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But straight way Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be
of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto
Thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship,
he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the
wind ceased. Then they that were in the
ship came and worshipped Him, saying Of a Truth Thou art the Son of God. Matthew, Chapter 14, verses 27-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After God allowed me to experience the miracle of
losing 75 pounds of excess weight, my church was having a garage sale. I looked at my big clothes and thought I
probably should keep them in case I gained all the weight back. The thought was in my head that I didn’t
trust God to take care of me. I was
virtually saying, “God I’m going to keep these big clothes just in case you
don’t continue to take care of my weight problem.” This realization made a major difference in
my life. I decided to get rid of the big
clothes immediately. I definitely don’t
want to start sinking like Peter did when He wasn’t trusting Jesus to take care
of him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye
shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove, and nothing shall be impossible to you.
Matthew, Chapter 17, verse 20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>While He yet
spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a Voice out of the
cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye
Him. And when the disciples heard it,
they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Matthew, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You know how famous football players and movie stars
are on commercials endorsing particular products they like, so others will come
to know how good they are? Well, this is
an endorsement from God so the disciples of Jesus would know how good He is. His is an endorsement that defies all
explanation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It makes me wonder what God’s endorsement of me
would be. “This is one of my supposed
followers, Debbie. She is a ‘Back Seat
Driver Christian,’ telling others how they should live their lives as
Christians, unwilling to do the same. It
would have been nice to count her as one of My flock, but she backed away from
opportunities that I have given her to share her faith-so sad!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus
called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receiveth
Me. But whoso shall offend one of these
little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but
woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 2-7. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Take heed that ye despise not one of these little
ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face
of My Father which is in heaven.
Matthew, Chapter 18, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Usually, I interpret this passage to mean that we
should have the faith of a little child in order to go to heaven. This time, this passage was saying to me that
the people who abuse children physically, sexually and emotionally better
beware because God doesn’t want anyone hurting children under any
circumstances. I noticed that there are
exclamation marks used in this passage a couple of times and I don’t see them
used much in the Bible. I take it to
mean that Jesus is emphatically telling people to beware not to harm children.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s so sad.
The court systems are full of children who have been neglected and
abused in one form or another. What’s
even worse is that some of these children have been abused by their own family
members who are supposed to love them and protect them from harm.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>What can we do as Christians? We can make an effort to not become so
desensitized to the needs of abused children because we see it so frequently in
the news. We can support legislators to
enact laws to make it more difficult for the court system to let out
pedophiles, rapists and aggressive criminals.
We can mentor a child who appears to need a little extra attention. Going to read or play games with children in
the Women’s Shelters can be beneficial, because these children need someone in
their corner. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We can encourage our children to include others who
appear to be loners. This helps not only
the isolated child, but it teaches our children to be sensitive to the needs of
others instead of being “I”, “Me” focused.
The list of things we could do is endless.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Then said He unto the disciples, It is
impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they
come! It were better for him that a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he
should offend one of these little ones.
Luke, Chapter 17, verses 1-2.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Moreover if
thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee
and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with
thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word
may be established. And if he shall
neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew,
Chapter 18, verses 15-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God doesn’t want us to give up on people easily, but
we are to follow a progression from approaching them privately to publicly, if
necessary.<i> </i>First, we are to have a confidential talk
with the person who is going down the wrong path. If that doesn’t work, we are to get others to
help. It reminds me of something that
I’ve seen on TV where loved ones gather together for an “Intervention” to tell
a drug user that they need to go through drug rehab for their sake and all
those who care about them. If that
doesn’t work, we are to turn to the church for support to confront this
person. If nothing works, we have to cut
our losses, disassociating ourselves from that person so that we don’t
inadvertently get caught up in their lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Again I say
unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that
they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together
in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 19-20.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of the saying: Two heads are better
than one. Well, in this passage two
people praying are better than one and it’s a situation of: the more the
merrier. So when I’m concerned about
someone’s health, I call my church’s prayer chain and raise my hand during the
Joys and Concerns portion of the church service.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Of course, God answers prayers in whatever way He determines
is best. Sometimes it isn’t always the
way we had hoped things would turn out.
Although it may be difficult to understand, I ultimately need to have
faith in God’s decisions and timing for everything.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord how oft shall
my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
till seven times? Jesus saith
unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times
seven. Therefore is the Kingdom of
heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his
servants. And when he had begun to
reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and
payment to be made. The servant
therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all. Then the lord
of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the
debt. But the same servant went out, and
found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid
hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at this feet,
and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt. So
when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and
told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion
on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to
the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also
unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother his
trespasses. Matthew, Chapter 18, verses
21-35.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God forgave us all our sins by sending His son,
Jesus, to die for us and to arise again.
Just think of all the humiliation Jesus had to go through for us. After all of that torment, Jesus asked God to
forgive everyone involved in His crucifixion.
I have a lot of nerve holding onto petty grudges against other
people. It makes me feel like I am the
first servant who is forgiven his large debt (all my sins) and I’m not showing
the same forgiveness to others who have done so much less. This reminds me that I need to be more
forgiving and tolerant of others because I don’t want to be delivered unto the
tormentors on The Last Day.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>But I say
unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in
danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca </i>[worthless],<i> shall be in danger of the council: but
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the
altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee: Leave
there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 22-24.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And, behold,
one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may
have eternal life? and He said unto
him. Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God: but
if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments. He saith unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou
shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false
witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself. The young man saith unto
Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect,
go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come and follow Me. But
when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great
possessions. Then said Jesus unto His
disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the
kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto
you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a
rich man to enter into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>. When His disciples heard it, they were
exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew, Chapter 19, verses 16-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, it can be easy to ignore this passage and think
that this just doesn’t pertain to me because I’m not rich. Being rich is a relative thing. (I wanted to say some corny thing about all
your relatives coming around if you were rich.
Forgive me, but I couldn’t resist!)
Don’t you think those from a Third World Country would think that
American’s on welfare are rich? We have
so much, but don’t realize it when we compare ourselves to others who seem to
have so much more.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think it’s about how all our stuff and the desire
for more stuff, money or wealth interfere with our total focus on God. Everything we couldn’t bear to put in a
Salvation Army, Goodwill or other charitable bin has some control on us. Its importance has worked a very subtle wedge
in our relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was trying to think about which things might be
excluded from this. First, I thought
about my toothbrush, because it seems like an essential item. Then I thought that the disciples didn’t have
toothbrushes when they followed Jesus.
If Jesus told me I needed to follow Him and be willing to give up my
toothbrush I would need to, no questions asked.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Next, I thought about my shoes, because I thought
they were essential. I realize having
27-35 pairs of shoes in my closet right now for casual, work or dress wear
throughout the year is highly questionable.
Well, I looked in the Bible and found this passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the people asked Him, saying, What shall we do
then? He answereth and saith unto them,
He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath
meat, let him do likewise. Luke, Chapter
3, verses 10-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think this is a good rule of thumb. I don’t know much about the philosophy of
those who write books about simplifying your life by giving up things, but it
seems this passage would support the general principal of how things become too
important to us. There is no way I want
the extra pairs of shoes I own to become a wedge in my relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was just thinking that if I could get my shoes
down to one pair of tennis shoes instead of five different types, a pair of
dress shoes, etc. and give the rest to a charitable organization, I would be
more in-tune with what God wants for me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me
good? none is good, save One, that is, God. Thou knowest the Commandments, Do not commit
adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy
father and thy mother. And he said, All
these have I kept from my youth up. Now
when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing:
sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very
rich. And when Jesus saw that he was
very sorrowful, He said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>! And they that heard it said, Who
then can be saved? And He said, The
things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke, Chapter 18, verses 18-27.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in
robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Psalm, Chapter 62, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is the reply of
Jesus to the chief priests who were asking Him questions, trying to trick Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But what think ye?
A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son go
work today in my vineyard. He answered
and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went
not. Whether of them twain did the will
of his father? They say unto Him, the
first, Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the
harlots go into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> before you. For John came unto you in the way of
righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots
believed him:; and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye
might believe him. Matthew, Chapter 21,
verses 28-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus makes a pretty bold
statement here, saying that the commonly despised tax collectors (publicans)
and the prostitutes will go to heaven, because they believed in Jesus when John
the Baptist told them. I’m glad God is
no respecter of status, but I’m concerned about the second brother who is a
“Dragging Your Feet Christian.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When his father asks him,
he spouts off (paraphrased), “Sure, I’ll help you, Dad,” but he never did what
he promised to do. Actually, that seems
worse than being honest and saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t do it right now,”
because at least people can plan accordingly and not depend on that person to
accomplish the task. I do this when I
read how we’re supposed to share our love for Jesus with those who might not
know Him. I say, “Sure I will, God. I really love You and I want to do whatever
it is that You want.” Do I do it? Nope.
I just plan to share my faith with others, but I’m still dragging my
feet.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, the father in this
parable forgave the son who said he wouldn’t do it but changed his mind and did
it after all, but that wasn’t the case for the other son. I don’t want God saying, “Debbie said she’d
share her faith, but did she? Yeah, she
wrote this book, but she never went out of her comfort zone and really took any
risks. What would have happened if Jesus
never took the risks to be humiliated, crucified and rise from the grave? He went through all of that for her and she
thinks she can fool Me. She says that
she’s only too glad to help out, but doesn’t do a single thing. I’ve got her number!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables,
and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a
marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden
to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another
to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them
spitefully, and slew them. But when the
king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed
those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were
bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore
into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways,
and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the
wedding was furnished with guests. And
when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a
wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not
having a wedding garment? And he was
speechless. Then said the king to the
servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into the
outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 1-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I guess I’m on a party
theme. This passage is about a wedding,
but when I went to explain this, the thought in my mind is to compare it to a
surprise birthday party for your boss.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is a black tie
affair and you’ve sent out invitations to all your co-workers, asking them to
R.S.V.P. It’s several days before the
party, but only a few people have called to say they are coming. You have reserved this big banquet hall and
have paid for the caterers. Getting nervous,
you call the people who haven’t responded.
Well, you get one lame excuse after another. You overhear a couple of co-workers in the
restroom saying that they are going to a golf tournament that day, but they
told you they had a sick family member.
You decide very quickly that you can do without friends like that, but
your boss will be embarrassed if the banquet hall is almost empty. You don’t want him to be humiliated, so you
think of a plan, fast!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You decide to go invite
the people who work in the stock room and the mail room. They hardly ever interact with your boss, but
it’s better than having an empty banquet hall.
You give them the invitations, with directions to the banquet hall and
busy yourself with all the last minute preparations. Now you can relax, because
you know the banquet hall will be full of people. You start to realize that these lower status
people are more dependable and more deserving than your so-called friends who
gave you lame excuses.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>On the day of the
surprise party you welcome all the loyal stock room and mail room workers. You thank them for coming and tell them where
to hide to surprise the boss. Just then,
some guy comes in dressed in khaki shorts and a Polo shirt. You ask him what he could have been thinking
about when he decided to come dressed like that. You tell him to leave, because he’s not
welcome at this black tie affair. Those
who put some effort in and did what they were supposed to were welcome
regardless of their financial or social standing. You don’t want a freeloader who doesn’t even
put the effort into properly getting ready for the party.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, sometimes I’m a
“Freeloader Christian,” too. Jesus asks
all of us to put some effort into being one of His chosen few. He even gave His own life for us, so we could
be invited to His party in heaven on the Last Day. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have qualified for an
invitation of that magnitude. Some of us
will do our part, although we can never truly earn admission to such a swanky
affair. Jesus did that for us. We have a free ride on His coat tails,
provided we aren’t being an ungrateful freeloader.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, Jesus calls each and every one of us, but how
many of us come up with reasons why we can’t go to church, why we are too busy
to pray or too embarrassed to let others know that we are Christian? Well, if we don’t respond when He calls us,
He will invite others to take our place in Heaven with Him. That’s not what I want!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related
passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great
supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that
were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make
excuse. The first said unto him, I have
bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me
excused. And another said, I have bought
five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and
therefore I cannot come. So that servant
came, and showed his lord these things.
Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out
quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor,
and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you hast commanded, and yet
there is room. And the lord said unto
the servant, Go out unto the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,
that my house may be filled. For I say
unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my
supper. Luke, Chapter 14, verses 16-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But be not ye called Rabbi: for One is your Master,
even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no man your father upon the earth: for One is your Father,
which is in heaven. Neither be ye called
masters: for One is your Master, even Christ.
Matthew, Chapter 23, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God wants us to hold Him in highest regard and no
other.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone. Matthew, Chapter 23, verse 23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Of course we don’t give spices when they pass the
offering plate around at church. This
passage reminds me of some who put large sums of money in as an indicator of
their faith in God, yet their daily actions show quite the opposite. Outside of church, they may be critical and
judgmental of others, not generous to those less fortunate or unforgiving of others. The thing that matters to God is how we live
our lives as examples of His positive influence on us, not how much we put in
the offering plate.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and
of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which
is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses 25-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones,
and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also
outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses
27-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets,
and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the
days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of
the prophets. Matthew, Chapter 23,
verses 29-30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;">
<b>And many false
prophets shall rise, and deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come. Matthew, Chapter 24, verses
11-14.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Many will try to entice us to believe things that
won’t lead us to Salvation. They will
encourage us to belong to churches that sound like they follow God’s Will, but
really misconstrue what is said in the Bible.
God doesn’t want us to be taken in by these people, but wants us to
continue to share His Word with others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the
Christ, or there; believe it not. For
there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs
and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. Behold, I have told you before, Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret
chambers; believe it not. Matthew,
Chapter 24, verses 23-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou
hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy, Chapter 3, verses 13-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>BUT THERE were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring
in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. And many
shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the Way Of Truth shall be
evil spoken of. And through covetousness
shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a
long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter, Chapter 2, verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then said the prophet Jeremaiah unto Hananiah the
prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this
people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus
saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth; this
year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in
the seventh month. Jeremiah, Chapter 28,
verses 15-17. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the
ears of Jeremiah the prophet. Then came
the Word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Send to all them of the captivity,
saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that
Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to
trust in a lie: Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah
the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among his
people: neither shall he behold the good that I will do for My people, saith
the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD. Jeremiah, Chapter 29, verses 29-32.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all
the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And
before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from
another, as a Shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the
sheep on His right Hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His
right Hand, Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and
ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying,
Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee
drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and
took, Thee in? or naked, and clothed
Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in
prison, and came unto Thee? And the King
shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say also unto them on the left
hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
and his angels: For I was hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye
clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord
when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or
in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?
Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31-46.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We aren’t just supposed to say, “I am a Christian so
I will have Salvation regardless of my actions.” There is a passage in Romans that talks about
whether we are saved by our works alone, which is definitely not going to
happen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Neither yield
ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves
unto God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not
under the Law, but under grace. What
then? shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under grace? God forbid!
Romans, Chapter 6, verses 13-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We are to be examples of how God works in our lives,
not just to those we consider worthy of our attention. We are to include those who are down and out
and those that society deems as unworthy.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the angel
answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified. He is not here: for
He is risen, as He said. Come see the
place where the Lord lay. And go quickly,
and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth
before you into <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>; there shall ye see
Him: lo, I have told you. And they
departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to
bring His disciples word. Matthew,
Chapter 28, verses 5-8.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>A little bit ago, I was reading the part of the
Bible that makes me the saddest, where they spit on Jesus and mock Him when
He’s preparing to give His life for our sins…even for those that treated Him so
terribly. Now, I’m reading this part
which makes me exceedingly happy. I get
goose bumps thinking of how amazing it must have been to be there when Jesus
had arisen just as He had told them, such wonderful news that defies all
explanation!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then He taught them many things by parables, and
said to them in His doctrine: Hearken: Behold, there went out a sower to
sow. And it came to pass, as he sowed,
some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it
up. And some fell on stony ground, where
it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of
earth: But when the sun was up, it was
scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns
grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and
increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And He said unto them, He that hath ears to
hear, let him hear. Mark Chapter 4,
verses 2- 9. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and
how then will ye know all parables? The
sower soweth the Word. And these are
they by the way side, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan
cometh immediately, and taketh away the Word that was sown in their
hearts. And these are they likewise
which are sown on stony ground; who when they have heard the Word, immediately
receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for
a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake
immediately they are offended. And these
are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, And the cares of
this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things
entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good
ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some
thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or
under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid which shall not be
manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him
hear. Mark, Chapter 4, verses 13-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Since many who hear the message of Salvation, start
out well-intentioned but are led astray, it’s important for me to not take my
faith for granted. It’s something that
needs to be an integral part of my everyday life. I should live my faith outwardly and develop
it further so I don’t become vulnerable to the influences of others and the
world.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And He spake
many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and
devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth:
and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when
the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered
away. And some fell among thorns; and
the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and
brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 3-9. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">*Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom,
and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that
which was sown in this heart. This is he
which received seed by the way side. But
he that received the seed into stony</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> places, the
same is he that heareth the Word, anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not
root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns
is he that heareth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness
of riches, choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good
ground is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth
fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 18-23.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to
eat. And they say unto Him, Shall we go
and buy two hundred penny worth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye?
Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And He commanded them to make all sit down by
companies upon the green grass. And they
sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up
to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to
set before them: and the two fishes divided He among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments,
and of the fishes. And they that did eat
of the loaves were about five thousand men.
Mark, Chapter 6, verses 37-44.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I had always enjoyed reading about this miracle that
Jesus did, but I was really surprised when I was reading the Bible and found
there was another time Jesus fed the multitudes. At first, I thought it was a different
disciple telling about the loaves and fishes and was just off on some of the
basic facts a little. Then after reading
the Bible many times, I realized it was Mark who told about the first feeding
of the five thousand and he was the same one who told about the feeding of four
thousand. These were two different, but
similar miracles that Jesus did.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In those days the multitude being very great, and
having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and saith unto
them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me
three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their
own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And His disciples answered Him, From whence
can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And He asked
them, How many loaves have ye? And they
said, Seven. And He commanded the people
to sit down on the ground: and He took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and
brake, and gave to His disciples to set before them; and they did set them
before the people. And they had a few
small fishes and He blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled, and they
took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four
thousand: and He sent them away. Mark,
Chapter 8, verses 1-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This amazed me, but I still figured I must be
mistaken. This next passage, also
written by Mark, puts the whole thing together.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He left them, and entering into the ship again
departed to the other side. Now the
disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them
more than one loaf. And He charged them
saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of
Herod. And they reasoned among
themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it. He saith unto them,
Why reason ye, because ye have no bread?
Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears,
hear ye not? And do ye not remember?
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full
of fragments took ye up? They say unto
Him, Twelve. And when the seven among
four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they say Seven. And He said unto them, How is it that ye do
not understand? Mark, Chapter 8, verses
13-21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I know, I know! This may not be the most profound
religious experience you have ever had.
I just thought it was interesting to know that there were two totally
different times that Jesus provided food for the multitudes and Mark told about
both of them. It influenced me to start
reading more in-depth to not miss the details.
Then, Jesus refers to both miracles when He asks His Disciples why they
were so worried about having enough food; didn’t they remember the two recent
miracles He had done in their midst?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I guess the lesson I would get out of all of this is
to remember that God does so much for me.
He provides for my every need. He
gets me through all types of situations.
Now, do I remember these things when I’m faced with uncertainty? Nope!
Just like the disciples, I’m too quick to fret and worry about things,
forgetting God will provide for all my needs and take care of me, if I let Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>When Jesus then lifted up His Eyes, and saw a
great company come unto Him, He saith unto Phillip, whence shall we buy bread,
that these may eat? And this He said to
prove Him: for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth
of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a
little. One of His disciples, Andrew,
Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here, which hath five
barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus
said, Make the men sit down. Now there
was much grass in the place, So the men sat down, in number about five
thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and
when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to
them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, He said unto His
disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and
filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which
remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the
miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a Truth that Prophet that should come
unto the world. John, Chapter 6, verses
5-14.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then Jesus
said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the
Sadducees. And they reasoned among
themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto
them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves because ye have
brought no bread? Do ye not yet
understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many
baskets ye took up? Neither the seven
loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I
spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then
understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of
the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 6-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the
temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold
doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the
temple. And He taught, saying unto them,
Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?
but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark, Chapter 11, verses 15-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think this passage shows a time where even Jesus
says through His actions, “Enough Is Enough!”
It really got me thinking.
Generally, I hide behind my Christian faith to justify my passive
interactions. In this instance, Jesus
didn’t handle the situation in a passive manner. It leads me to believe there are times that
stronger actions are needed to get the point across! Anything less, would be condoning the
inappropriate behavior or situation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of a Cultural Diversity training my
husband arranged for co-workers. They
were talking about being in a situation where someone is putting down others
whether for racial, gender, sexual reasons or otherwise. They said to just stand there and not say
anything is the same as participating in the put-downs, because our lack of
action condones that behavior. They said
people should actually take a stand and tell the ones making the rude comments
that we find them objectionable and would prefer that they discontinue them
immediately.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Now, the passive side of me that doesn’t want to
stand out in a crowd has to come to terms with this one. Not only am I drawing attention to myself, I
am also risking the possibility that someone may get angry with me or
disapprove of my opinion. Jesus took an
active stand on an important issue and I think that I need to work on being
able to confront people who are belittling others, despite my
insecurities. Jesus didn’t stop and
think, “Now, if I tell them to quit selling all their wares in the church, they
may be angry with Me. Maybe I shouldn’t
risk this because they might not like Me anymore.” He took action because He knew it was
wrong! I need to take action because I
know belittling others is wrong!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And Jesus
went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the
temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them
that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shalt be called
the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 12-13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And He went into the temple, and began to
cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is
written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of
thieves. Luke, Chapter 19, verses 45-46.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And the Jew’s passover was at hand, and Jesus
went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep
and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of
small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen;
and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto
them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an
house of merchandise. And His disciples
remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up. John, Chapter 2, verses 13-17.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus, answering saith unto them, Have faith in
God. For verily I say unto you, That
whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into
the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things
which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever
ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark, Chapter 11, verses 22-24.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of how I ask God to take care of me,
but I’m really establishing a plan in my mind of how to handle the situation or
I’m continuing to worry about it. It’s
like I’m saying, “God, I want You to handle this situation but just in case You
don’t take care of me, I will have a ‘Plan B’ ready or worry until it’s
resolved.” It’s just like telling God I
don’t really trust Him to take care of me.
I need to be much more aware of displaying total trust in God to take
care of my needs, concerns and my family.
<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing
wavering. For he that wavereth is like a
wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James, Chapter 1, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Jesus
answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt
not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye
shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;
It shall be done. And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 21-22.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he
that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that
is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish
give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask
an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If
ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much
more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? Luke,
Chapter 11, verses 9-13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ask, and it
shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth: and to
him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or
what man is there of you whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a
stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give
him a serpent? If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father
which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 7-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they
shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land
devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will raise up for them a plant of
renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither
bear the shame of the heathen any more.
Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that
they, even the house of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
are My people, saith the Lord GOD. And
ye My flock, the flock of MY pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the
Lord GOD. Ezekiel, Chapter 34, verses
28-31.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught
against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your
trespasses. But if ye do not forgive,
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark, Chapter 11, verses 25-26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage makes me think I’m a “Hold Grudges
Against Others Christian,” because I remember insensitive or hurtful things
people have done to me. God doesn’t want
me to hold onto these feelings. I’m sure
I have done my share of insensitive and hurtful things to others in my
life. I sure don’t want to be judged by
God with the same harsh standards that I impose on others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die,
and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should
take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first
took a wife, and dying left no seed. And
the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third
likewise. And the seven had her, and
left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall
she be of them? for the seven had her to
wife. And Jesus answering said unto
them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the
power of God? For when they shall rise
from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the
angels which are in heaven. Mark,
Chapter 12, verses 19-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This was really interesting to me, especially
because I have remarried and my first husband was not a very nice person. This is a relief, because now I know we won’t
be in heaven joined with our past or present spouses.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, which
deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked Him, Saying, Master, Moses
wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without
children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his
brother. There were therefore seven
brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died
childless. And the third took her; and
in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of
them is she? for seven had her to wife.
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry,
and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain
that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in
marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels;
and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses
showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is
not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him. Then certain of the scribes answering said,
Master, Thou hast well said. Luke,
Chapter 20, verses 27-39.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye
not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of
the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
Mark, Chapter 12, verses 26-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage causes me to refocus my thinking. Rather than focus on what it’s going to be
like in heaven, I need to focus on how my life reflects my belief in God, right
now, here on Earth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And one of the scribes came, and having heard them
reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him,
Which is the first Commandment of all?
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the Commandments is: Hear, O
Israel; The Lord our God, is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all
thy strength: this is the first Commandment.
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself. There is none other Commandment
greater than these. Mark, Chapter 12,
verses 28-31.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m reminded that I can’t be a “Just When It’s
Convenient Christian.” I’m to make my
faith a priority. God wants me to treat
others nicely, even if…Even if they are rude to me…Even if they get the job I
wanted…Even if they have more money than I do and didn’t deserve it…Even if
they take advantage of me…Even if they are hateful…Even if they talk down to
me…Even if they make really poor lifestyle choices…Even if they cut in front of
me on the freeway…Even if they don’t believe the way I do…Even if they are a
telemarketer and don’t let me off the phone when I want to get off. (I really have to work on this one!) If I get caught up in being resentful, rude
or hateful, I’m not being the example that God wants me to be of how He works
in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Then one of
them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,</i> <i>Master, which is the great Commandment in
the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind. This is the first and great
Commandment. And the second is like unto
it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the prophets. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses 35-40.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He said unto them in His Doctrine, Beware of the
scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the
marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at
feasts: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers:
these shall receive greater damnation.
Mark, Chapter 12, verses 38-40.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reinforces that God wants us to live our
faith. We are to be good examples of
this faith in all that we do, not just at church by doing showy things so
others think we are righteous. Our faith
in God should be something that is an integral part of our daily lives,
tempered with discreetness and humility.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Then spake
Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe,
that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do
not. For they bind heavy burdens and
grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will
not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses 1-6.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld
how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in
much. And there came a certain poor
widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. and He called unto Him His disciples, and
saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in,
than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in out
of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all
her living. Mark, Chapter 12, verses
41-44.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I get very self-righteous thinking about how I do
nice things for people and donate to the needy.
I was on a work mission with our church’s youth group in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Juarez</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Someone in the group told us how they were
going to leave behind their clothes to donate to the people of that community. I thought about it awhile and decided it was
a nice thing to do. So, I looked at
things I didn’t mind donating.
Basically, they were the things more worn and less desirable. Then this passage flashed back in my mind,
and I realized I was only giving to others out of my excess where it still felt
comfortable. I was not giving to others
out of my need. It took me a long time
and a lot of prayer with God as I agonized over this-mostly because my favorite
nightgown was in my suitcase.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If I had just left a few things to donate to the
people of the community, no one would have been the wiser. If I had donated everything I owned except my
favorite nightgown, no one would have even known, but God and I knew. The thing that bothered me the most was how
long it took before I was finally willing to leave all my things for the
needy. It showed me how worldly I had
become. That certain possessions
mattered to me, appalled me, because I had always prided myself in being a
“Good Christian.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Obviously, we can fool ourselves. I’m so thankful that God provided this
opportunity for personal growth. I still
find it easier to give to others out of the excesses of my time, money and possessions. I have to be reminded that I’m not truly
giving until I give out of my need, or at least closer to it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting
their gifts into the treasury. And He
saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, Of a Truth I say unto you, that
this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their
abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in
all the living that she had. Luke,
Chapter 21, verses 1-4.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall
reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for
God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is
able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
<i>in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 9, verses 6-8.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without
grudging. 1 Peter, Chapter 4, verses
8-9.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For the poor shall never cease out of the land:
therefore I command thee, saying Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy
brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. Deuteronomy, Chapter 15, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he
that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Proverbs, Chapter 28, verse 27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped
Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room
for them in the inn. Luke, Chapter 2,
verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Royalty usually are shown
living in castles or expensive mansions<i>.
</i>I think it’s difficult for today’s royalty to move around without
lots of Paparazzi following them everywhere.
It’s to the point that they can’t even go for a walk without people
snapping their picture. Customers buy up
these magazines, because they are in awe of royalty or celebrities, of one kind
or another.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus came into this
world in very humble surroundings. There
was no fanfare or notoriety, unless you figure an angel notifying the shepherds
and a star guiding the wise men, fits into this category. Jesus lived a humble life. He didn’t live in a castle with great wealth
and servants even though He could have chosen to. In fact, He didn’t even own property. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and
the birds of the air have</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>nests; but the Son of Man hath not where
to lay His head. Matthew, Chapter 8,
verse 20.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He could have chosen to
lead the good life, but chose poverty and persecution for me. Do I deserve it? No way!
Nothing I ever do will be anything close to earning all that Jesus went
though on my behalf. The only thing I
can do is make sure that I’m not just a “Holiday Christian,” only focusing on
God or only attending church on religious holidays. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The only way I can thank Him is by trying to live my
life as an example, so others can come to know Him as I do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when
the time is. For the Son of Man is as a
man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his
servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the
master of the house cometh, at even, or at <st1:time hour="0" minute="0" w:st="on">midnight</st1:time>,
or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you
sleeping. And what I say unto you I say
unto all, Watch</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Mark
13, verses 33-37. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There is a similar passage
in<i> Luke, Chapter 12, verses 42-47.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage helps me realize that I’m supposed to
live the life God wants, all the time. I
could have a more self-involved attitude where I wanted to be worldly now,
focusing my time and attention on earning the most I could, attending all-night
parties, living life in the fast lane, with heavy drinking and recreational
drugs, thinking I could focus my attention on my faith later on in life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I might not ever get a second chance to do
that. I could be in an accident five
minutes from now or the world could end.
Who knows? Only God does and I
may never get another chance to turn my life around.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do you think the owner will continue to employ the
servant who fell asleep while he was supposed to guard the owner’s home? I doubt it.
Well, God wants us to live the life of a Christian all the time, not
sometime later, when we feel like settling down a little more. That time may never come.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is in no way meant to imply people who have
lived their lives in the fast lane can’t go to heaven. The operative word is “lived.” This means the person has made a choice to
change their life around because of their faith in Jesus and start living the
life of a Christian. None of us knows
when God is going to come for us, so we can’t put off these choices
indefinitely. We need to put a lot of
prayerful thought into whether we think God would be pleased with the life we
are leading?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall
not pass away. But of that day and hour
knoweth no man, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24, verses 35-36. </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your
Lord doth come. But know this, that if
the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would
have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man
cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise
servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in
due season? Blessed is that servant,
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him
ruler over all his goods. But and if
that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And
shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and
in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him
his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. Matthew, Chapter 24, verses
42-51.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
Matthew, Chapter 25, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Let your loins be girded about, and your lights
burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will
return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto
him immediately. Blessed are those
servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto
you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will
come forth and serve them. And if he
shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so,
blessed are those servants. And this
know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would
come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of
Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke, Chapter 12, verses 35-40.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and
wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them
their portion of meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing. Of a Truth I say unto you, that
he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and
to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not
for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and
will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant which knew his lord’s will,
and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten
with many stripes. But he that knew not,
and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will
ask the more. Luke, Chapter 12, verses
42-48.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the
<st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename>
should come, He answered them and said, The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo
there! for, behold the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
is within you. And He said unto the
disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of
the Son of Man, and ye shall not see it.
And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them,
nor follow them. Luke, Chapter 17,
verses 20-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*And as it was in the days of Noe </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[Noah]<i>,
so shall it be also in the days of the Son of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Man.</st1:state></st1:place>
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and
destroyed them all. Likewise also as it
was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they
planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained
fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son
of Man is revealed. Luke, Chapter 17,
verses 26-30.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they asked Him, saying, Master, but when shall
these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to
pass? And He said, Take heed that ye be
not deceived: for many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and the time
draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
And when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for
these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Luke, Chapter 21, verses 7-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My Words
shall not pass away. But of that day and
that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the
Son, but the Father. Mark, Chapter 13,
verses 31-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and
godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat? 2 Peter, Chapter 3, verses
10-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
Him. For this we say unto you by the
Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall
rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another
with these Words. 1 Thessalonians,
Chapter 4, verses 13-18.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He entered into one of the ships, which was
Simon’s and prayed Him that He would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people out of
the ship. Now when He had left speaking,
He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a
draught. And Simon answering said unto
Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless
at Thy Word I will let down the net. And
when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their
net brake. And they beckoned unto their
partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help
them. And they came, and filled both the
ships, so that they began to sink. When
Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, Depart from me; for I
am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was
astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they
had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were
partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto
Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke, Chapter 5, verses
3-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus impressed me when He turned the work of these
three gentlemen from being fishers, who supply man’s human needs, to being
fishers of men, who supply man’s spiritual needs. I think Jesus wants us to be fishers of men
too. We need to each listen to the
instincts that He gives us about this so we can do His will.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do
good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you. And unto him that
smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away
thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luke, Chapter 6, verses 27-29.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I used to get caught up in being angry and resentful
when people were rude or insensitive to me.
I can’t say that I don’t ever get caught up in those human emotions
anymore. Fortunately, these passages
will pop into my mind in the middle of those feelings.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize that God wants me to pray for these people
rather than waste my time being angry with them. I think anger can be a very counterproductive
emotion, at times. I remember a time
when I was working under a very insensitive-demanding supervisor. I was almost to the point of tears at work
when I went into the bathroom because I didn’t want anyone to see me
crying. This passage popped into my mind,
so I prayed for the supervisor and for God to bless her. I was only expecting God to make me feel
better so I could leave the restroom without anyone realizing I had been
crying.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I left the bathroom after saying that quick
prayer, not only did I feel relieved but the supervisor was much nicer to
me. I really wasn’t expecting that to
happen. Since it happened this way the
first time, I have gone to the bathroom to pray many times over the years. Every time I have done this, the situation
was much better afterward. It’s amazing
to see how God is personally involved in our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s important that I do not respond to these people
in like manner. Coming back with an
equally hateful or insensitive remark isn’t being the example God wants me to
be of how He works in my life. When I
pray for these people, I’m putting them in God’s very capable hands. Actually, it would be wonderful if these
hurtful or rude people would have their lives turned around by God who can
cause miraculous changes in anyone.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse
not. Romans, Chapter 12, verse 14. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all
men. If it be possible, as much as lieth
in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans, Chapter 12, verses 17-18.
<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he
thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his
head. Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good. Romans, Chapter 12, verses 20-21.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> There is also a similar passage in Matthew,
Chapter 5, verse 44.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And if any
man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak,
also. And whosoever shalt compel thee to
go a mile, go with him twain. Give to
him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 40-42.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*The disciple is not above his Master, nor the
servant above his Lord. It is enough for
the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the Master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household? Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 24-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him
that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. Luke, Chapter 6, verse 30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God wants us to give freely to those in
need. I’m not sure about the
interpretation of the second part of this passage. I have taken it to be an answer to a dilemma
I have with giving to others. I think
there is a fine line between empowering and enabling. There are times when a person gives to others
and it empowers them, giving them a hand-up to be the best they can be. Then there are times where you give to others
and it creates an enabling dependency that is counterproductive and isn’t
healthy for that person. So I don’t give
to people I think are going to use the money to buy another bottle or to people
who are deliberately trying to take advantage of me or scam me.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not sure that’s what the second part of this
passage was really saying and I apologize if I’m misleading anyone, but that’s
the way I have taken it. A good rule of
thumb is to trust the instincts that God gives you. I try to let those instincts guide me in giving. Don’t forget giving isn’t only of our
money. Sometimes giving is by treating
others with respect or taking the time to listen to their story whether you’ve
heard similar stories a million times over.
Giving of your time by being there for someone else when they need
someone in their corner can be a much more powerful thing than any monetary
gift. Sometimes people who are down and
out just need a hand-up, a little respect and a smile or two.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>(As I read this passage while I’m editing the book,
I wonder if God doesn’t want us to give even if we think someone is going to
buy another bottle. Who are we to say
whether our kindness might leave a positive impact on that person which goes
far beyond anything we might ever realize.
As I said originally, trust the instincts that God gives you on this
subject. Those will be right for your
situation.)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye
also to them likewise. For if ye love
them which love you, what thank have ye?
for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to
you, what thank have ye? for sinners
also do even the same. And if ye lend to
them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive
as much again. But love ye your enemies,
and do good, and lend hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great
and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke, Chapter 6, verses 31-36.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God is telling us He wants us to be nice,
considerate and giving to everyone, especially those who aren’t nice,
considerate and giving to us. He says
it’s easy to be giving to people who are nice to us, so that’s not very difficult. We are really doing a bigger thing when we
are giving to those we don’t care for, those who aren’t nice to us or those who
don’t look like people we would ever associate with. I can’t say I always do this, but I pray that
God gives me the willingness to be the example that He wants me to be to
others, especially those I’m reluctant to interact with.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not,
and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it
shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and
running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to
you again. Luke, Chapter 6, verses
37-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This message reminds me that I would NOT want God to
judge me by the same standards I use to judge other people. I’m very thankful that He reminds me of this,
because I often find myself being critical or judgmental of others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When we genuinely give to others out of our need,
God will always make sure we are provided for.
This is a miracle unto itself, similar to the loaves and fishes. I do have some concerns though. There are some supposed churches that promote
giving to others as a plan to get financial reward in return. They talk to their parishioners about giving
lots of money to the church or to causes in order to get great wealth for their
good deeds. Well, this is God we are
talking about and He’s all-knowing. He
can tell when we are genuinely giving to others and when we are giving to
others with ulterior motives. You can’t
con God!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a
woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto
Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such
should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?
This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger
wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted
up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first
cast a stone at her. And again He
stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went
out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left
alone; and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto
her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?
hath no man condemned thee? She
said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto
her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I
am the Light of the World: He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the Light of Life. John,
Chapter 8, verses 3-12.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever
thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is
according to Truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest
them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the
judgment of God? Romans, Chapter 2,
verses 1-3.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment: and with what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 1-2.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead
the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke, Chapter 6, verse 39.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes we get into a routine of doing whatever
everyone else is doing. If they are
going to a particular church, we try it out.
If our friends use God’s Name in vain, we forget what we learned in
Sunday school while we were growing up and start using His Name in vain
too. If everyone else is doing it, it
must not be all that bad. Right???<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>We need to make sure the people we choose to follow
are those who make choices God would approve of, or we just might be following
someone right to Hell (the ditch). That
definitely isn’t the direction I want to go!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Let them
alone: they be blind leaders of the blind, And if the blind lead the blind,
both shall fall into the ditch. Matthew,
Chapter 15, verse 14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother,
Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself
beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out
of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is
in thy brother’s eye</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Luke,
Chapter 6, verses 41-42.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">From what I have read in the
Bible, God doesn’t want us to get to the point we EVER feel so self-righteous
that we can be critiquing other</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> people’s behavior or choices. We need to focus on our own choices and make
sure we are being the best example of our faith we can possibly be.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And why
beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the
beam that is in thine own eye? Or how
wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou
see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 3-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and
doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an
house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood
arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for
it was founded upon a rock. But he that
heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house
upon the earth; against which the storm did beat vehemently, and immediately it
fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Luke, Chapter 6, verses 47-49.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to make sure that my faith in God has a firm
foundation like the house built on rock, because my faith has to withstand all
the human temptations that arise. Some
of those temptations are very subtle and can let little things into our lives
that seem very minor but still shake our foundation. Food has always been one of my bigger vices.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>My younger brother has always been very giving and
still is. I’m ashamed to say that I took
advantage of him when he wasn’t even in school yet. Being the youngest and the only boy in the
family, he had a piggy bank full of money.
When my parents weren’t around, I talked him into breaking into his
piggy bank to get all his money out to take with us to the movies. Being the generous person that he is, he
shared all his money with his older sister.
I bought ice cream after ice cream, followed by enough candy bars to
make a person sick. He had trusted me,
but my ulterior motives interfered with being an example of my faith. Like I said, we have to be careful about the
subtle things in life that sneak in and shake our foundation on rock. Something very minor could cause that foundation
to crumble!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for
it was founded upon a rock. And every
one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened
unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:
and great was the fall of it. And it
came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at
His doctrine. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses
24-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He said to them all, If any man will come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the
whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luke, Chapter 9, verses 23-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think God is telling us that we have to be totally
dedicated to Him. It’s all too easy to
get caught up in our daily lives and focus on getting ahead in the world. It’s especially difficult since there is so
much pressure to try to keep up with the Jones’s that we might lose sight of
our goal. To paraphrase what Jesus said,
“What good is it to have all these worldly things and lose your Salvation in
the process? Those that are willing to
give up everything, including their worldly lives for Me, will have eternal
life in Heaven.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He that
loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth
son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 37-38.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then said
Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose
his life for My sake shall find it. For
what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul? or what shall a man give in
exchange for his soul? For the Son of
Man shall come in the Glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall
reward every man according to his works.
Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 24-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My
Words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own
Glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. Luke, Chapter 9, verse 26.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This relates to a situation that made a major
difference in my relationship with God.
One time, I was doing something that was an outward sign of my faith. It was in a place where other people could
see what I was doing and would have known I am a Christian. I’m ashamed to say that this had made me
really uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The thought in my mind shortly after this was about
the movie “<i>American Graffiti</i>”. One of the main characters had been in charge
of keeping an eye on a young pre-teen or teenage girl. He had a reputation of being “cool” and
didn’t like being a glorified babysitter.
Later, he and the young lady got to know each other better and became
friends. Then there was a point in the
movie where he was driving down the main drag and he saw a group of his
friends. He realized that they would see
him with this young girl and it could hurt his “cool image” if they knew he was
babysitting. So he asked his new found
friend to duck down in the seat so his other friends wouldn’t see her sitting
in his car, thus maintaining his reputation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, that’s what I was doing with God. I was saying to God, “You are really
important to me and I love you a lot, but I don’t want other people to know how
important You are to me. I want to look
‘cool’ to others and don’t want them to think I’m a religious fanatic. So, God, please duck down so they don’t know
I’m a Christian.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This movie impacted my life and my relationship with
God because it helped me realize that I used to shy away from mentioning
anything about God or my faith to anyone.
I can’t say it’s all that easy for me now, because I’m still very weak
and have a hard time risking ridicule from others. I do try to say things like, “Boy, God was
really looking after you,” when there was a miracle in someone’s life that they
may have overlooked.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I do this, I’m generally anxious because I
never know how anyone is going to respond to these statements. I’m always afraid that they are going to
think I’m a fanatic and shy away from me, but I have never received that
response from anyone. In fact, people
have been very appreciative and it has opened up opportunities for the other
person to share their perspective of how God has influenced their life. I need to continue to focus on being more
willing to take risks for God. I would
never want Him to turn His back on me the way I have done to Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of
them should be greatest. And Jesus,
perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, and
said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My Name receiveth Me: and
whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least
among you all, the same shall be great.
Luke, Chapter 9, verses 46-48.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Being a “Self-righteous Christian” too many times to
mention, this passage reminds us that we shouldn’t get caught up in determining
how great we are for all the good things we do in God’s Name. That isn’t what it’s all about. God says, “<i>For he who is least among you all, the same shall be great</i>.” I need to make sure that I’m focused on
living the life God wants for me rather than trying to look pious to others by
attaining religious status.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus,
And who is my neighbour? And Jesus
answering said, A certain man went down from <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city></st1:place>, and
fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and
departed leaving him half dead. And by
chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. And
likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed
by on the other side. But a certain
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had
compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and
wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of
him. And on the morrow when he departed,
he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care
of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay
thee. Which now of these three, thinkest
thou, was neighbour unto him that fell, among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him,
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke, Chapter 10, verses 29-37.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It makes me think of all the people that need help
on the side of the road that I ignore. I
have a dilemma. It isn’t very safe to be
picking up people by the side of the road these days, but I bet there are
things I can do to help anyway. I could
probably ask them if they need me to call a tow truck or something. That might be risky too. What I have been doing is using my cell
phone, at times, to call the highway patrol to tell them the approximate
location of the broken down car. I know
it’s not as big an effort as the Samaritan made, but I think we all need to
start someplace. I get too caught up in
my own little world and tend to ignore the things that make me uncomfortable or
that I really don’t want to deal with. I
need to be more sensitive to the needs of others, being an example on a regular
basis of how God works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a
certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is
the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked. But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they
that hear the Word of God, and keep it.
Luke, Chapter 11, verses 27-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God lets me know in this passage that it’s not good
enough to hear the Word of God. We are
supposed to live the life that He suggests.
It reminds me of teaching math to children. I would explain a new math concept to nodding
heads. I would ask if anyone had a
question, but they rarely did. I thought
they really understood the concept, but as I walked around the room, I found
that although the children thought they understood the concept, they weren’t
applying it and were lost.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s pretty easy to hear things in church and feel
it’s impacted your life. If we are just
“Sunday Christians” cussing at other motorists, yelling at our kids or being
rude to others the rest of the week, we may not be living our lives as examples
of how God works in us.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which
is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew, Chapter 12, verse 50.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For there is nothing covered, that shall not be
revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the
Light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed
upon the housetops. And I say unto you
My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no
more that they can do. Luke, Chapter 12,
verses 2-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I think Jesus was probably talking about the people
who were plotting against Him. Those who
said all these hateful things about Him in private thought it was private, but
God knows all.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m not totally sure of God’s message in this
one. What I think about when I read this
passage is more directed to me, personally.
It feels like God is saying to me, “You know you profess to be such a
good Christian, don’t you? But I see
when you are gossiping with others and saying less than kind things. You know your actions are supposed to be an
example of your faith in Me. You think
those things you say in secret are really secret, but I know everything! You ought to think about whether this is
really what you want Me to hear coming out of your mouth. Think about it, Debbie, because I care about
you.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied
before the angels of God. And whosoever
shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto
him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luke, Chapter 12, verses 9-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Sometimes I feel awkward talking to others about my
faith in God. I’m afraid they will shy
away from me the same way I want to hide in my house when a particular
religious group that has a belief that isn’t compatible with mine, comes
knocking on my door. I hate it that God
sees all the times I’m afraid to risk on His behalf. I want to be a strong Christian He can depend
on, not the “Self-serving Christian” who is worried about what others think.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and
unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall
answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same
hour what ye ought to say. Luke, Chapter
12, verses 11-12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus is really talking to the disciples and other
people, preparing them not to worry about what they should say if they are
questioned about their beliefs, because the Holy Spirit will provide the right
words for them to say. Well, I have
found this is also beneficial for me to bear in mind in all types of
situations.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I found myself worrying about a job I really
wanted. I remembered that it’s all in
God’s hands no matter which way it turned out.
When I realized that, I relaxed knowing He would take care of it.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Shortly before I went for the interview, I said a
quick prayer and asked God to take care of the words (meaning the words that
come out of my mouth) and my willingness to let Him take care of the
words. It was amazing! When I came out of the interview, I reviewed
it over and over in my mind, amazed at how the words just flowed out of my
mouth. I couldn’t believe some of the
answers I had given to questions I knew little about or had never thought about
before.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I guess I shouldn’t have been so amazed. God always takes good care of me and hadn’t I
just asked Him to take care of the words?
Should I have expected any less?
Now before stressful situations, I try to remember to ask God to take
care of the words and my willingness to let Him take care of the words and He
always does!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And ye shall
be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them
and the Gentiles. But when they deliver
you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you
in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which
speaketh in you. Matthew, Chapter 10,
verses 18-20.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And one of the company said unto Him, Master, speak
to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And He said unto him, Man, who made Me a
judge or a divider over you? And He said
unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The
ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within
himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down
my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul,
thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and
be merry. But God said unto him, Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke, Chapter 12, verses 13-21.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Our belief in God isn’t a “Once a Christian-Always a
Christian Guarantee” that once you have it, you always have it regardless of
your actions. If it were, people could
become a Christian, go rob a bank and shoot someone because they need their
next fix, not worrying because they think they have Salvation regardless of
their actions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s like planting a garden using seeds. That gardener’s energy and enthusiasm are
there after they have hoed the rows, preparing them for the seeds to be
planted. He carefully plants the seeds
and waters them regularly, just as a person who starts a relationship with God
has energy and enthusiasm for their new-found faith.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If that gardener were to go on vacation right after
planting his garden and expected to find fully grown plants when he returns, he
would be greatly surprised! The garden
would be overgrown and the vegetables would be strangled by the weeds while the
remnants of the garden would still be there.
This is similar to what happens to the Christian who doesn’t tend to
their faith regularly by making it a DAILY part of their life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>That Christian’s faith will wither away, strangled
by the weeds of worldly living while the remnants of that faith will still be
there. Our faith needs constant
cultivation and care just as the garden does in order to grow and flourish.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto
you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body,
what ye shall put on. The life is more
than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have
storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the
fowls? And which of you with taking
thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye
thought for the rest? Consider the
lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you,
that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is
today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He
clothe you, O ye of little faith? And
seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of
doubtful mind. For all these things do
the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need
of these things. But rather seek ye the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>; and all these things shall be added
unto you. Fear not, little flock, for it
is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke, Chapter 12, verses 22-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> one of my favorite passages
in the whole Bible. It has personal
significance to me because of my experience with it. Years ago, I was on a very tight budget. It was so tight that I had to buy powdered
milk in case I didn’t have enough money to have milk for my children’s
breakfast. Now, I know our situation
wasn’t as bad as some, but I just want you to know that things were tight and I
had to be very careful about my spending.
Now, one of my biggest vices, as I’ve shared, is the need to be in
control of my life.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Since things were so tight, I would spend hours
making a budget or revising it every time there appeared to be a need. I lived my life by this budget and tried very
hard to not deviate from it. I spent
most of my waking hours trying to plan, scheme and figure out ways to get by
through the month. Then one day, God had
me read this particular passage and it totally turned my life and my
relationship with God around!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I found out that God didn’t want me spending the
vast majority of my time fretting over bills and figuring out ways to make ends
meet. When I was doing that, I was
showing that I didn’t trust God to provide for my family’s needs. I was also wasting a lot of time planning
when I could have spent that time reading the Bible, praying or spending time
with my family.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It was like I was saying, “God, you know I love you
and I think you’re wonderful, but I just don’t think you are going to take good
enough care of my family. I’m going to
devise a plan to take care of them, just in case you fail us.” Well, that isn’t the message I want to be
giving God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I can’t say I don’t ever get caught up in worrying
about finances anymore, but quite often God will put the thought of this
passage in my mind which helps me refocus.
I need to trust God to take care of my family’s needs and I need to be
an example of how God works in my life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This is a disclaimer of sorts. This doesn’t mean a person should go out and
spend their family’s money on gambling, alcohol, Bingo, possessions, etc. and
God will make sure that all their needs are met. I don’t think He wants us to ever take
advantage of Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It would be like telling an unemployed relative that
he could stay with you for a month or two while he gets back on his feet. While your relative goes out to look for work
every day you tell him, “Don’t worry about cleaning up your room. I have a little extra time and I’ll take care
of it.” This is a genuine offer and you
don’t mind cleaning up the minor things the relative leaves around.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then the relative starts taking advantage of the
fact that he has someone taking care of him.
The relative starts leaving all his clothes on the floor. He leaves his dirty towels lying around instead
of putting them in the hamper. He leaves
his dirty dishes lying on the table.
It’s bad enough that you have to take his dirty dishes to the sink and
wash them, but they are hard, crusty and difficult to wash.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>To top this all off, the relative is getting used to
having someone pay all the bills, cook the meals and clean up after him. Having a job, getting up early and going to
work is looking less and less attractive to him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Your relative isn’t getting up early in the morning
anymore to look for work. In fact, he
seems to be staying in bed later and later every day. You bring the paper to your relative with
some potential jobs circled and find that he has tossed it on the floor with
the rest of his dirty clothes, making no attempt to look for work or even call
any of the ads you carefully circled.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>You aren’t empowering your relative by helping him
become the best he can be. Instead, you
realize that you are enabling him and making him dependent on you. Finally, you recognize that enough is enough
and you tell your relative that you aren’t going to be doing things for him
anymore. You notify him that he has to
be responsible for himself and if he doesn’t get a job in a certain amount of
time or at least make a decent effort; he will be out on his ear.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, don’t you think that if we could feel this
way, maybe God would get a little upset if we took advantage of Him? I don’t think He would like it if we spent
our money carelessly so that we didn’t have enough for our bills, but relied on
Him to pick up all the pieces and work everything out. So, although I’m saying God will take care of
our every need (and He really does, even better than I ever did when I was
budgeting so tightly), we still need to be responsible about our finances and
choices by not taking advantage of God’s forgiving nature.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Surely Thou
wilt slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, ye bloody men, For they
speak against Thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy Name in vain. Psalm, Chapter 139, verses 19-20. <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It doesn’t sound to me that God takes it lightly
when people curse Him or use His Name inappropriately. That’s why I am very concerned about people
casually using “God” and “Jesus” in their everyday speech. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t think people realize how strongly God feels
about it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All the passages that say we aren’t to profane God’s
Name or to use His Name in vain really made me stop and think. It has become very common these days for
people to say “God” or “Jesus,” without really any thought. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You hear people say things like, “God that was a
great game!” “Jesus Christ! I ran out of
bread again!” “Oh, good God, get off
your high horse and give me a hand around here.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Of course, I can’t mention all the possible ways
I’ve heard people use God’s Name inappropriately. The point of great concern is that these
people really aren’t focusing on God when they say these things. They aren’t praying or genuinely telling
other people about God or glorifying Him either. God states very clearly throughout the Bible
that we aren’t supposed to use His Name in vain.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Reading many passages about this in the Bible has
caused me to become alarmed about this issue.
I don’t think people realize how often they’re saying “God” or “Jesus,”
in their everyday language. It’s on TV
and it’s in the movies. Almost everyone
seems to be doing it, even the little kids and people we respect. Some people who are doing this consider
themselves to be good Christians. I
don’t think these people even know they are using God’s Name in vain or that
they are being a poor example of their faith in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I realize that some people may not like hearing
this. Most of us like thinking we are
pretty good people. This may hurt our
self-perception of the type of Christian we think we are. I’m hoping that we will get beyond this and
become much more aware of the words we choose to use.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Using God’s Name in vain has become just casual
slang, like, “Shucks” used to be when I was a kid. I hope one of the things that you get out of
this book is a deeper awareness of this issue.
Listen to people talk. What if
each and every person who used God’s Name in vain as slang was to lose their
Salvation? That would be a pitiful
thing. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Maybe that’s what my job is. Maybe I’m supposed to make people aware that
they are doing this. Maybe I’m supposed
to draw their attention to the possible repercussions of using God’s Name in
vain. I have no idea. I just know I felt led to write this book and
God will take care of the rest!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately, God is very merciful and will forgive
us if we ask Him to, provided we make the necessary changes to only use His
Name in ways that glorify Him. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thou shalt
not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him
guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.
Exodus, Chapter 20, verse 7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;">
<b>*And ye shall not swear by My Name falsely, neither
shalt thou profane the Name of thy God: I am the LORD. Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><b>*And thou shalt speak unto the children of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> saying, Whosoever curseth
his God shall bear his sin. And he that
blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the
congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is
born in the land, when he blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, shall be put to
death. Leviticus, Chapter 24, verses
15-16.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through
the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God: I am the
LORD. Leviticus, Chapter 18, verse 21.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in
vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in
vain. Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify
it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine
ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Egypt</st1:placename></st1:place>, and that the LORD thy God brought
thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out Arm: therefore the
LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, verses 11-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;">
<b>*I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin
not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is
before me. Psalm, Chapter 39, verse 1.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he
that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs, Chapter 13, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good
manners. 1 Corinthians, Chapter
15, verse 33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig
tree planted in his vineyard and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found
none. Then said he unto the dresser of
his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree,
and find none: cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it
alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear
fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 6-9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If a person stole from stores and then said to God,
“I’m sorry I am not the Christian You want me to be; please forgive me,” but
neglected to try to change anything, God would be patient with him up to a
point. This passage makes me think that
there comes a time when God says that He’s given enough chances for the person
to change their actions and if they haven’t, then He cuts His losses.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Fortunately for us, God is very forgiving. If that person finally turns his life around
to be the Christian that God wants; all will be forgiven. God doesn’t want us to put off our faith
until the last minute.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And now also
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Whose fan is
in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into
the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 12.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ye are the
salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be
salted? It is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Ye shall know
them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit. Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them. Not every one that saith unto Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will
of My Father which is in heaven. Many
will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and
in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful
works? And then will I profess unto
them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 16-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But He answered
and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be
rooted up. Matthew, Chapter 15, verse
13.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then said He, Unto what is the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his
garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in
the branches of it. Luke, Chapter 13,
verses 18-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>This reminds me of when I mention to someone else
about how God looked after me in a particular situation. It’s like planting a seed that has the
potential to grow and to continue to grow into a full-fledged belief in
God. It’s just like the mustard tree
that grows from that tiny seed that is planted.<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>It makes me think that we never know how the little
things we share might make a difference in someone else’s life. My being fearful of sharing my relationship
with God may not be giving that person the opportunity to come to have a relationship
with God.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Another
parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a
grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed
is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs,
and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the
branches thereof. Matthew, Chapter 13,
verses 31-32.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And He said, Whereunto shall we liken the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>? or with what comparison shall we
compare it? It is like a grain of mustard
seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be
in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all
herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge
under the shadow of it. Mark, Chapter 4,
verses 30-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be
saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many,
I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen
up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at
the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto
you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten
and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not
whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 23-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This reminds me of when I was heavy and there were
people that weren’t really friendly to me.
When I lost the weight, all of a sudden these same people were much
friendlier. I didn’t really want to be
close friends with them at that point.
They had an opportunity to be friendly with me before when I was heavy,
and they hadn’t chosen to.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus may be telling us something very similar about
putting off our decision to become active Christians. If we don’t acknowledge Him when He calls us,
maybe He won’t remember us when we get around to asking Him for help.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Something unexpected like an accident might happen
where we don’t ever get another chance.
If I’m a “Bird in the Hand Christian,” I need to develop my relationship
with God now, while I have the chance.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 13-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets,
and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy
children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would
not! Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me, until the time come
when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 34-35.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>When I was reading my Bible this morning, I was
thinking about how God uses picturesque language throughout the Bible to give
us a mental picture of what He is trying to convey to us. This passage is a good example of that.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I can picture a mother hen spreading her wings
trying to focus her children to go in the correct direction, just as Jesus does
for us. Do we listen? No, just like kids we say we want to do
things our own way and tend to wander off, losing our focus. Now, when something traumatic happens in our
lives or the lives of our loved ones, BAM, we are right back on target, asking
God to help with this situation.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>On Judgment Day, do you think Jesus will have pity
on us who decide at that moment that we are finally ready to become Christian
when our lives haven’t reflected that dedication all along????<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto
thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall
not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name
of the Lord. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses
37-39.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke, Chapter 14, verse 11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In the previous three verses in the Bible, Jesus was
talking about a wedding to teach us to have humility. Rather than go to a wedding and sit in a seat
of honor, only to be embarrassed when asked to sit in a position of lower
status, it was better to be humble and sit in the lower status seats. and then,
to be asked to sit in the position of honor.
I think He was trying to convey that He doesn’t want us getting so
self-righteous and big-headed that we lose our focus and humility.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But many that are first shall be last; and the last
shall be first. Matthew, Chapter 19,
verse 30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*But Jesus
called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles
exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon
them. But it shall not be so among you:
but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let
him be your servant: Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew, Chapter 20, verses 25-28.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And there was also a strife among them, which of
them should be accounted the greatest.
And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over
them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is
greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that
doth serve. For whether is greater, he
that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? but I
am among you as He that serveth. Luke,
Chapter 22, verses 24-27.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then said He also to him that bade Him, When thou
makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither
thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a
recompense be made thee. But when thou
makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt
be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at
the resurrection of the just. Luke,
Chapter 14, verses 12-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage lets me know that when I do nice things
for others I need to make sure that I’m doing them for people who really need
it and not to do it to gain some sort of personal recognition for my actions.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It’s sometimes a hard one to live by because it
makes me look at my motives for doing favors.
Yes, I have found there have been times when I was choosing to do things
for someone to draw attention to myself.
Now, I’m trying to be more discreet in my favors to avoid this
self-focus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh
not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke, Chapter 14, verse 33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I spent all day yesterday packing up my
classroom. My husband has taken a job in
a state that we had previously lived in.
I thought it would only take a few hours to finish packing, but it was <st1:time hour="19" minute="0" w:st="on">7:00 p.m.</st1:time> when my husband and I
finally pulled away from the school.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I was amazed because I had given so many teaching
resources away during the year and still had so much stuff. One of the teachers came by and made a
comment about how I should get rid of all the stuff. I was appalled with the idea. I couldn’t get rid of all my stuff. It was important to me!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>The stuff in my life becomes too important and gets
in the way of my relationship with God.
I would hate for Jesus to tell me that I couldn’t come to heaven to be
with Him because my stuff had become more important than He was.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I had to come back and add this to what I had
written this morning. My husband came
home and I was preparing to paint the bathroom before we put our house on the
market. I said something about taking
all my paint to our new house so I can try my hand at sponge painting the next
house we buy. He said it would take too
much room and we can get more paint after we move. I got upset with him for even thinking of
getting rid of it. Then I realized that
I hadn’t learned very much from writing about this earlier. I was still having a hard time letting go of
stuff!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>God had perfect timing by having me deal with this
particular passage right now. It wasn’t
one week earlier or a month later. It
was the exact same day that I am having stuff withdrawal issues. Isn’t it wonderful that God could time this
so precisely? He knows as well as I do,
I really need to continue to work on this one!!!!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>In that day, he which shall be upon the
housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away:
and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>’s
wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his
life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke, Chapter 17, verses 31-33.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Let him which is on the housetop not come down to
take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return
back to take his clothes. Matthew,
Chapter 24, verses 17-18.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He said, A certain man had two sons: And the
younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that
falleth to me. And he divided unto them
his living. And not many days after the
younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and
there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and
he began to be in want. And he went and
joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to
feed swine, And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the
swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as
one of thy hired servants. And he arose,
and came to his father. But when he was
yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell
on his neck, and kissed him. And the son
said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am
no more worthy to be called thy son. But
the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;
and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted
calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and
is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
And they began to be merry. Now
his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he
heard music and dancing. And he called
one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, thy brother is come;
and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe
and sound. And he was angry, and would
not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo,
these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy
Commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with
my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy
living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with
me, and all that I have is thine. It was
meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and
is alive again, and was lost, and is found.
Luke, Chapter 15, verses 11-32.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I could get my Christian nose out of joint from this
passage, but I do the same thing in the classroom. I love teaching kids, but where I get the
most personal reward isn’t from the gifted kids who could be successful on
their own; it’s from helping students who thought they weren’t competent. I try to help them find out how capable they
really are. I guess God likes seeing
people turn their lives and their focus around, in somewhat a similar manner.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related
passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And He spake this parable unto them, saying,
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not
leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost,
until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders
rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he
calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me;
for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance. Luke, Chapter 15, verses 2-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if
she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek
diligently till she find it? And when
she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying,
Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke, Chapter 15, verses 8-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For the Son of Man is come to save that which was
lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of
them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the
mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say
unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which
went not astray. Even so it is not the
will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should
perish. Matthew, Chapter 18, verses
11-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is
an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his
vineyard. And when he had agreed with
the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw
others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them, Go ye also into
the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour,
and did likewise. And about the eleventh
hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why
stand ye here all day idle? They say
unto him, Because no man hath hired us.
He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is
right, that shall ye receive. So when
even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the
labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the
eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received
more: and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured
against the goodman of the house, Saying These last have wrought but one hour,
and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of
the day. But he answered one of them,
and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a
penny? Take that thine is, and go thy
way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will
with mine own? Is thine eye evil,
because I am good? So the last shall be
first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew, Chapter 20, verses 1-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m ashamed to say that I relate all too well with
the first laborers who wanted more than what was promised for their extra time
and effort. If I’m truly being honest,
there have been times where I expected preferential treatment because I tried
to be good and follow all the rules. I
have deliberately flaunted the good choices I have made in hopes that teachers,
employers and family members would like me better than others. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Well, it may have possibly worked since the people
mentioned are human beings who could not see my ulterior motives, but God
doesn’t get suckered into struggles for attention. He loves us all the way we are. So the prostitute, the rock star, the
janitor, the prisoner, the president, the former drug addict, the school
teacher and anyone else who loves Jesus as their Savior can go to heaven. There is no preferential treatment
there! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all
these things: and they derided Him. And
He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God
knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination
in the sight of God. Luke, Chapter 16,
verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>People tend to look up to people who are rich,
famous or have climbed their way up the corporate ladder. I like to watch the channel that shows the
lives of famous T.V. and movie stars, past and present. Some, but not all of these, have been
involved in lifestyles that included drugs, excessive drinking and some
heavy-duty partying.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Even though people admire these stars, I think God
would consider that type of lifestyle an abomination. Fortunately, some of these stars have had the
opportunity to turn their lives around as they tell how they’ve gone from their
party-hardy lifestyles to making God a priority in their lives.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in
purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain
beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring
to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the
dogs came and licked his sores. And it
came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into
Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up
his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom. And he cried and said, Father
Abraham have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger
in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son remember that thou in
thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but
now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19-25.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Do I want all the notoriety of the rich, famous and
those who have climbed up the corporate ladder or would I prefer to focus on
leading a lifestyle that allows me to go to heaven? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In order to get to heaven, I have to make sure I’m
focused on Jesus, living as an example of how He works in my life on a daily
basis. It’s not always easy because I’m
human and let greed and jealousy sneak into my life. I keep praying that God gives me the
willingness to be the example He wants me to be, despite my very human nature.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass
against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times
in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou
shalt forgive him. Luke, Chapter 17,
verses 3-4.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I’m sitting at the computer thinking about getting a
job when we move instead of focusing on this.
I said a little prayer and asked God to forgive me for being so
distracted, and then it all came to me!
God forgives me ninety billion times a day. He forgives all my distractions, angry,
jealous and other human thoughts on a regular basis. When I ask God to forgive me, He never says,
“No way! You’ve already long passed your
quota of times to be forgiven.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If God forgives me an unlimited number of times,
then He wants me to be more forgiving and tolerant of others. I shouldn’t be there with my little mental
clipboard saying, “Well, you’ve done this three times and that’s it. I will no longer forgive you or be your
friend!” If God treated me like that, I
would have been “a gonner” a long time ago!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our
faith. And the Lord said, If ye had
faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou
plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey
you. Luke, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage seems especially appropriate since I’m
a “Focused on Other Things Christian,” thinking about selling my house, finding
a job and buying another house. If I
were really paying attention to what I’m writing, I would realize my faith is
weak, because I am worrying and having sleepless nights.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I need to focus on God and things will fall into
place. He works everything out so
beautifully in timing, if I have the patience to let Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and
not one of them is forgotten before God?
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than
many sparrows. Luke, Chapter 12, verses
6-7.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>Are not two
sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of
them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are
of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 29-31.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it came to pass, as He went to <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>
that He passed through the midst of <st1:city w:st="on">Samaria</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>. And as He
entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which
stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have
mercy on us. And when He saw them, He
said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they
were cleansed. And one of them, when he
saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And
fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten
cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give
glory to God, save this stranger. And He
said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke, Chapter 17, verses 11-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I pray to God about things that concern me in my
everyday life. Do I stop and thank Him
for resolving all these issues? Not for
the most part! My life runs smoothly
because the problem has been resolved and I go on with my life, putting Jesus back
on the shelf until I need him again.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After I read this passage, I thought about how
ungrateful the nine healed lepers were.
Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing when I don’t take the time to thank
God for resolving the issues in my life?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Luke, Chapter 17, verses 34-37, is very
controversial. I have heard many
different opinions from supposed authorities on these passages. I decided years ago that it’s more important
for me to continue to focus on my relationship with God. Spending my time arguing over how and when I
am going to heaven is time wasted, in my opinion, when I could have spent the
time being a better example of Jesus’ influence on my life. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I don’t have to spend years trying to figure out
whose interpretation of this Bible passage is correct. My Salvation is guaranteed through Jesus’
death and Resurrection as long as I continue to love Him as my Lord and Savior
and try to lead a life that reflects my faith in Him. If I do these, I will have Salvation at the time
and in the manner that God deems is best.
I think God has other things He would like me to focus on, like reading
the Bible rather than worrying about the details of how and when this is all
going to happen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted
in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up
into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would
not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,
God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell
you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every
one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted. Luke, Chapter 18, verses
9-14.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage is kind of like Biblical irony. The Pharisee with the higher status,
self-righteous attitude and brags about all the wonderful things he has done
for others, isn’t justified. The humble
man with the low status, who states how unworthy he is, is justified.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>It really opens my eyes. Sometimes I become very self-righteous like
the Pharisee, boasting to myself about all the good things I’ve done. (Actually it wasn’t me doing them in the
first place. God gave me the instincts
to do those things, but I was taking credit for them while boasting.) I need to be much more humble and not get so
caught up in the egotistical part.
That’s how Satan sneaks in and leads Christians astray!<i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And they brought unto Him also infants, that He
would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto Him, and said,
Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke, Chapter 18, verses 15-17.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>As an elementary school teacher, it never ceases to
amaze me how sweet, trusting and honest little children are. It seems some get corrupted as they grow up
and become cynical by the ways of the world, media and life, in general. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>In the early grades the children would play with
almost any other person that was willing to play with them. They generally got along well with everyone
except for little squabbles, regardless of ethnicity or any other factor. Nearing the intermediate grades, these same
groups of children would no longer associate with some of the children that
they used to consider their best friends.
They seemed to group themselves by ethnicity and other factors like
income. I think Jesus wants us to be
“Uncorrupted Christians” who generally get along well with others, regardless
of ethnicity or any other factor.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Then were
there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them,
and pray: and the disciples rebuked them, But Jesus said, Suffer little
children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of
heaven. And He laid His hands on them and
departed thence. Matthew, Chapter 19,
verses 13-15.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto
them, Behold, we go up to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place>,
and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall
be accomplished. For He shall be
delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and
spitted on: And they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day
He shall rise again. Luke, Chapter 18,
verses 31-33.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>This passage is soooooo amazing! Jesus knows how terribly they are going to
treat Him, how they are going to mock Him, spit on Him and crucify Him. Yet Jesus is still willing to go through all
that utter humiliation to save us from our sins. Now a parent might possibly be willing to go
through all of that to save the life of their child, but would they be willing
to go through all of that for complete strangers, for people who are hateful
and rude to them? No way!!! Jesus gave His life for us knowing in advance
how terribly humiliating it would be, because He loves us that much!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus told the disciples about what was going to
happen to Him in advance. He wanted them
to remember what He had told them as another proof that Jesus is the One True
Savior of all. It’s sad that Jesus can
be willing to give His life for us, and we need ALL this proof first before we
are willing to believe in Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>From that
time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto
Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him,
saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned and said unto Peter, Get thee
behind Me, Satan, thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the
things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 21-23.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And they came
down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man,
until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead. Matthew, Chapter 17, verse 9.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And while
they abode in <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>, Jesus said unto them,
The Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill
Him, and the third day He shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. Matthew, Chapter 17, verses 22-23.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And Jesus
going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto
them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto
the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death,
And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify
Him: and the third day He shall rise again.
Matthew, Chapter 20, verses 17-19.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of
death. Then did they spit on His face,
and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands. Saying, Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is
he that smote Thee? Matthew, Chapter 26,
verses 66-68.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*For scarcely for a righteous man will one
die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies
we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by His life. And not
only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have
now received the atonement. Romans,
Chapter 5, verses 7-11.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and
from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might
deliver us from this present evil world, according to the Will of God and our
Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. Galatians, Chapter 1,
verses 3-5.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city></st1:place>, a certain blind
man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked
what it meant. And they told him, that
Jesus of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:city></st1:place>
passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus,
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And
they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried
so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be
brought unto Him: and when he was come near, He asked him, Saying, What wilt
thou that I shall do unto thee? And he
said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved
thee. And immediately he received his
sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people when they saw it,
gave praise unto God. Luke, Chapter 18,
verses 35-43.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus is on His way to His crucifixion knowing full
well what terrible things are going to happen to Him, but Jesus still takes
time out to heal this blind man despite all He is about to go through. It reinforces how Jesus takes time to be
there for me and my very trivial concerns.
I’m so fortunate to have Jesus as my Savior!!!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*And the blind
and the lame came to Him in the temple: and He healed them. And when the chief priest and scribes saw the
wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and
saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased. And said unto Him, Hearest thou what these
say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea;
have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected
praise. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses
14-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And Jesus entered and passed through <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city></st1:place>. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus,
which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and
could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a
sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked
up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for
today I must abide at thy house. And he
made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured,
saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord;
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any
thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is
Salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost. Luke, Chapter
19, verses 1-10.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>I remember hearing a group of people talking amongst
themselves saying something about not associating with sinners. That rushed through my mind when I saw a
display outside a church that said, “Sinners Welcome!” Jesus didn’t give His life to save those who
are perfect. (That would mean He had
given His life to save Himself since Jesus is the only perfect person. Now that doesn’t even make sense!)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus died and rose to save sinners like you and
me. He gave His life for those people
who were judgmental of others and the people they thought were unworthy of
their association. If Jesus can turn the
life of Zacchaeus around who was a self-serving tax collector, then who is to
say that He can’t turn around the lives of those people deemed unfit?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>If no one invites or welcomes these people into
church, how will they be saved? Do you
want it on your shoulders that you had the opportunity to befriend one of these
“undesirable” people by being an example of how God works in your life, but you
ignored that responsibility because you decided that those people didn’t
deserve it? Something I wouldn’t want to
have to explain to God on Judgment Day!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>And when the
Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with
publicans and sinners? But when Jesus
heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but
they that are sick. But go ye and learn
what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 11-13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>And as they heard these things, He added and spake a
parable, because He was nigh to <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city>, and
because they thought that the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> should immediately
appear. He said therefore, A certain
nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to
return. And he called his ten servants,
and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a
message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was
returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be
called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much
every man had gained by trading. Then
came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good
servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority
over ten cities. And the second came,
saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also
over five cities. And another came,
saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou
layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth
will I judge thee, thou wicked servant.
Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down,
and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money unto
the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take
from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto
every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he
hath shall be taken away from him. But
those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring
hither, and slay them before me. Luke,
Chapter 19, verses 11-27.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Jesus may say on the Last Day, “You were all given
the same task to be examples of how I work in your lives and to share your love
of Me with others. Did you do it? When you had problems you turned to Me but
when I solved those problems for you, you didn’t even take the time to thank
Me. You just turned back to your life
like I didn’t exist until the next problem or religious holiday came
around. Then, you were so focused on
showing off your new clothes at church that you didn’t even pay attention to Me
and the real reason for the season.
Sorry, Charlie, you’re not making it to heaven!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>*<i>For the
kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own
servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey. Then he that had received the
five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he
also gained other two. But he that had
received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants
cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so
he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them
five talents more. His lord said unto
him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of
thy lord. He also that had received two
talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I
have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he
which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou
art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering where thou
hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth:
lo there thou hast that is thine. His
lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest
that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou
oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give
it unto him which hath ten talents. For
unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from
him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into
outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of Man shall come in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His
glory. And before Him shall be gathered
all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd
divideth His sheep from the goats. And
He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 14-33.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>………………………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Then began He to speak to the people this parable: A
certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a
far country for a long time. And at the
season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the
fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant; and they
beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded
him also, and cast him out. Then said
the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may
be they will reverence him when they see him.
But when the husbandmen saw him they reasoned among themselves, saying,
This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and
killed him. What therefore shall the lord
of the vineyard do unto them? He shall
come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God
forbid. Luke, Chapter 20, verses 9-16.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>After reading the parable, this is my opinion of
what God might say. “I protected My
people and promised them a Savior (Jesus).
Then I sent them prophets to tell of Jesus’ coming and they ignored
them. I thought that they just didn’t
understand that I’m trying to help them turn their lives around so that they can
have Salvation with Me. So, I decided to
send John the Baptist and they ignored and killed him. I figured surely they will acknowledge My
only begotten Son, Jesus, so I sent Jesus to them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>“They totally ignored the fact that Jesus is the Son
of God, and then they had the audacity to kill Him. That way they didn’t have to feel guilty
anymore for living their worldly lives not focused on My teachings. They didn’t have any idea about who they were
dealing with, because Jesus arose from the grave on the third day to fulfill
the Scriptures. He conquered death so
that all who truly believe in Him will have eternal life in heaven.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>“You are ungrateful people! You killed My only begotten Son and don’t
deserve the gift of Salvation that Jesus has provided for you. I’m going to give that gift to anyone who
believes that Jesus is their Savior, because you aren’t worthy of it!”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-22127099538719399502018-05-21T03:00:00.000-05:002018-05-21T03:00:14.201-05:00A Walking Billboard for God, Although You May Have the Best of Intentions, Is a Person a Christian Just Because They Say They Are? Posts-<b>Since <i>Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, </i>is now on line through individual posts, I am now putting several links together for each post. I found groupings of three posts worked well for anyone interested in using these for a Bible study group. Debbie Seiling</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-walking-billboard-for-god.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Walking Billboard for God...</b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong><i>Know ye not that ye are the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the <st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename>, him shall God destroy; for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3, verses 16-17.</i></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I have heard that some religions have interpreted this passage to say that Christians shouldn’t get their ears pierced or get tattoos but that isn’t what this passage means to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage is telling me that I’m a Christian 24/7 (24 hours a day/7 days a week) and God dwells in me all the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
My actions, thoughts, words and deeds make me a walking billboard for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A billboard works as an advertisement to draw people toward a particular business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the sign were sloppy, had misspellings or poor grammar, the billboard would reflect poorly on the owner of the business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Now, if I go out and get drunk, take drugs, am rude to others or use God’s Name in vain, it’s like I’ve used bad grammar on my billboard which would reflect poorly on God who dwells in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to make sure that I’m attempting to live in a manner that makes me a good example of how God works in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Here is a related passage:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong>*<i>I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Galatians, Chapter 2, verse 20.</i></strong></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/08/although-you-may-have-best-of.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Although You May Have the Best of Intentions...</b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>I wrote to you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 5:9-13. </strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I think God talks to us through Paul like a parent talks to their teenager about people who might be poor influences on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A parent might say something like, “I think it’s very important for you to be cautious about what type of people you hang around with at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I want you to be polite to everyone, because we aren’t to be judgmental of others, but we are supposed to be aware of the lifestyle choices others make.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Although you may have the best of intentions, sometimes other people’s bad habits rub off on us even without our being aware of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it’s important that you don’t hang with kids that you think do drugs, drink, and party or are rude and crude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s hard because some of the kids who make poor choices are the ones who seem the most popular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you know that I’m only telling you this because I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t want to see you get involved with the wrong type of people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I think God often guides us like a loving parent, as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Here is a related passage:<i></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>*Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath Light with darkness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Corinthians, Chapter 6:14-15</strong>.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/08/is-person-christian-just-because-they.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is a Person a Christian Just Because They Say They Are?</b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong><i>And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man whether thou shalt save thy wife? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 7, verses 13-16.</i></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
God gives His approval for staying in a good marriage with a non-Christian spouse, because you might be able to lead your spouse to Christianity through your relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, I think it says that if you’re in an unhealthy relationship, whether the person does or doesn’t profess to be a Christian, God absolves us from our marital commitment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Now, some may think this passage doesn’t apply to them because God only absolves them if their partner is a non-Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you really think a person is a Christian just because they say they are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you think they are supposed to be a “Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is Christian,” by really living a life that reflects their belief in Jesus?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
So, if a spouse drinks up all the money in the house and there’s no money to pay for food or clothes for the children, do you really think God considers this person a Christian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a spouse is so involved in drugs or other vices and causes constant turmoil in the family, do you really think God considers this person a Christian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a spouse has a hard day at work and hits the kids or you, do you really think God considers this person a Christian just because they profess to be one?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I think that God is saying the “till death do you part” portion of your marriage vow doesn’t apply because God said, <strong>“<i>A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.”</i></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, God would like all marriages to work out and doesn’t want people to leave just because they feel they may have missed out on all the fun that they think their single friends are having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That isn’t what this is discussing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
God loves the non-Christian, the alcoholic, the drug addict and the abusive person, all of which can turn their lives around and become Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would have to be more than just saying they are a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would have to really live their lives as a Christian.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Sometimes we just aren’t the ones who can bring these people to God. Male or female, we have to be able to assess whether we are in a healthy environment for ourselves and our children. If we aren’t, we are absolved from the “till death do you part” commitment, because being in an unhealthy or life-threatening environment isn’t what God would want for any of us.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/">A Christian Caregiver</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ's Grace Abounds</span></a></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://creation-matters.blogspot.com/">Creation: What's It Matter?</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://jesusissonofgod.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Know Jesus Is God's Son</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="http://free2sharevbs.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Free 2 Share VBS (Free VBS Curriculum)</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support Links</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatdoyouractionssay2jesus.blogspot.com/">Jesus Calls, But Do Your Actions Say You Don't Desire Him?</a></span></b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-37192829359325537822018-05-17T03:00:00.000-05:002018-05-17T03:00:06.859-05:00Remember This Before I Give a Sarcastic Reply, Instead of Worrying About What Everyone Else Is Doing, Reading the Bible Calms Me Down and Comforts Me Posts-<b>Since <i>Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, </i>is now on line through individual posts, I am now putting several links together for each post. I found groupings of three posts worked well for anyone interested in using these for a Bible study group. Debbie Seiling</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/07/remember-this-before-i-give-sarcastic.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember This Before I Give a Sarcastic Reply..</b></span>.</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law. Romans, Chapter 13, verses 8-10.</strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I think God had this passage written for people like me who get caught up in trying to remember too many things and end up forgetting most of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This way I don’t have to remember all types of different rules about being a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to lead my life as an example of how God works through me, I just have to remember one rule: <i><strong>Love thy neighbor as thyself</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>This covers everything else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When I contemplate talking rudely to a sales person who has been less than courteous to me, all I have to do is think, “Is this how God would want me to treat someone else?” I wish I could say I always remember that before I give a sarcastic reply, but it often pops in my mind and I’m less apt to respond hatefully. I definitely am not perfect but want to work toward being a better example of how God works in my life.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/07/instead-of-worrying-about-what-everyone.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Instead of Worrying About What Everyone Else Is Doing...</b></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own Master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. Romans, Chapter 14, verses 1-6. <o:p></o:p></strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For meat destroy not the work of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hast thou faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have it to thyself before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans, Chapter 14, verses 13-23.</strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
These passages have influenced my life in a number of ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been struggling for years about whether we should be going to church on Saturday or on Sunday, or whether it was okay to eat meat or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admire my aunt and uncle who are very devout Christians who go to church on a different day and eat somewhat differently than I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
God says that whether we eat meat or not, or go to church on Saturday or Sunday doesn’t determine our Salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Salvation is because of our faith in Jesus and living as an example of how He works in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What matters is that we follow our beliefs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He also tells us that we aren’t supposed to taunt others because their beliefs are different than ours by putting a stumbling block before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An example would be, having friends over for dinner who don’t eat meat for religious reasons and only having meat courses, putting them in an awkward position.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
We need to support others and not be judgmental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to keep focusing on God to lead me in the direction that He wants instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing or not doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like these details don’t matter to Him as long as they are done to glorify God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong>*<i>But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Corinthians, Chapter 8, verses 8-9.<o:p></o:p></i></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>*Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lustest after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart. Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water. Deuteronomy, Chapter 12, verses 15-16.</strong></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2013/07/reading-bible-calms-me-down-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reading the Bible Calms Me Down and Comforts Me...</b></span></a></div>
<br />
<i><strong>For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans, Chapter 15, verses 4-6.</strong></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When I get upset about things or worried about family situations, I will often pick up the Bible. I don’t usually open it to the spot where I left off the last time. I pick up the Bible with both hands and open it and read whatever is on those pages. I always say a little prayer first for God to take care of my understanding, comprehension and retention. Although it doesn’t happen every time, it’s amazing how many times I open the Bible to pages that specifically relate to my particular situation. I feel God guides me to the particular pages He wants me to read which calm me down and comfort me, just like this passage says.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/">A Christian Caregiver</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ's Grace Abounds</span></a></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://creation-matters.blogspot.com/">Creation: What's It Matter?</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="https://jesusissonofgod.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Know Jesus Is God's Son</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="http://free2sharevbs.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Free 2 Share VBS (Free VBS Curriculum)</span></a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support Links</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatdoyouractionssay2jesus.blogspot.com/">Jesus Calls, But Do Your Actions Say You Don't Desire Him?</a></span></b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-82639514075921991202015-07-30T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-30T06:30:02.263-05:00Do You Just Blend In?<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>For, Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an
oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and
the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall
leave them neither root nor branch. But
unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in
His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they
shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this,
saith the Lord of Hosts. Malachi, Chapter
4, verses 1-3.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This makes me think of when I’m driving the speed
limit and someone in my car gets annoyed.
They tell me that I need to just “blend in” with the others (going the
same speed that others are driving, so as to not be noticed). At times, I let people persuade me to go
faster to “blend in” with the flow of traffic, still knowing I’m driving at a
speed that’s against the law.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Are we, as Christians, finding ourselves “blending
in” with a lifestyle speed of the people we associate with, so our actions go
unnoticed? Do we use God’s Name in vain
because everyone else does? That way we
don’t stand out in a crowd as a Christian.
Do we do unethical things at work because everyone else does them? Well, we are exceeding God’s speed limit for
our lives and we know it. Even if we
“blend in” with lifestyles similar to others, we have to make a decision. Do we want to be one of God’s “Jewels” or
just “blend in” with the traffic of lifestyle choices that won’t get us to
Heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You have a chance to make a monumental change in
your life and to show your commitment to God.
No, you don’t have to shave your head and sell flowers on street
corners! You just have to make a conscious
effort to live as an example of God’s influence on your life. If you listen to the instincts that God gives
you instead of listening to the urges of society to “blend in” with the traffic
of life, you will attain the ultimate goal of Salvation through Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I want to, again, explain that I do not profess to
be an expert on the Bible. Read the
passages noted and see what God is saying to you through them. I have read the Bible from cover to cover
sixteen plus times now, and every time I read a passage, I get something
totally new from of it. God gave me a
feeling that I should share how reading the Bible on a regular basis has
positively influenced my life and deepened my relationship with Him, and may do
the same for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I apologize if I have offended anyone, because that
isn’t the intent of this book. There
were times I thought about not writing particular things, not wanting to offend
people I care about or for fear of antagonizing the media and the business
world. If I had done that, I would just
be “blending in” with the traffic of life instead of genuinely expressing how
God has influenced my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It is my desire that you will come to relate to the
Bible in a way that is personally significant to you. If nothing else, I hope that this gives you
things to think about as you use the instincts that God gives you while reading
your Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="text-indent: 0px;">The whole book: <u><i>Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life</i></u> has now been printed and shared on this blog for free. You can read it all, starting at the original post, but it really doesn't need to be read in order to see examples of how a person can relate the Bible to their daily life.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 297.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">D. S.</span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-49205786540201544852015-07-27T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-27T06:30:00.616-05:00Are You One of God's Jewels?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work
wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance
was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His
Name. And they shall be Mine, saith the
Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as
a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked,
between him that serveth God and him not.
Malachi, Chapter 3, verses 15-18.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I was just talking about how some business people
take advantage of the Hispanic workforce.
Management talks behind their backs, talks down to them and takes
advantage of them financially, treating them like sub-standard human
beings. Now, these workers may or may
not realize that they are being treated poorly, because some of them don’t
understand the language.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Do you think we can pull the same thing on God and
get away with it? Think again! He knows when we have a perfect opportunity
to share our belief with others, but we are too embarrassed to mention it. He knows when we take advantage of others or
make fun of them. He knows when we put
work before Him and our families. He
knows when we only turn to Him in dire trouble, but we forget about Him until
the next traumatic situation. He knows
when we harbor hatred, jealousy and resentment toward others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Although He is very
forgiving, God will remember these things, using them to help determine if we
are one of His “Jewels” or not. <b>Are you
one of His “Jewels”?</b> It’s never too late
to reassess your actions and to change them around. Reading this book has given you the
opportunity to see things from a different perspective. You have a choice. You can decide to start reading the Bible on
a daily basis or you can ignore what you have read. I pray that God opens your heart to be
willing to do His will. </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-45532378915088832762015-07-23T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-23T06:30:01.790-05:00Are We What's in it For Me Christians?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what
profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked
mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?
Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 14.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Boy! Are we ever an “I-Me” population, looking out
for ourselves as a “<b>What’s In It for Me Christian?</b>” My impression is that God wants unconditional
love. He doesn’t want Christians who are
only doing it to look good to other members of society. He doesn’t want Christians who are doing it
to reap the many rewards God gives His followers. He wants Christians who genuinely love and
follow Him and His Word, regardless of the consequences, both positive and
negative.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Are we looking at our belief, saying, “Hey, what’s
it for me to get up each week and go to church?…to be kind to others? to take risks to be examples of our faith in
the workplace?” Something to think
about!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
(Well, this is my last editing before I send this
back to the publishers, and I just had to share this with you. I’ve been telling you throughout this book
that I haven’t been taking the risks to share my love for Jesus with
others. I’ve always been afraid they would
think that I’m a religious fanatic and back away. Writing this book has been an extremely
eye-opening experience for me, making me much more aware of my weaknesses as a
“Self-absorbed Christian.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Well, about five minutes ago, I was thumbing through
the church newsletter while I was munching on something and saw a request. It was asking for a volunteer to do a Bible
Study at a local nursing home. I
surprised myself and decided to act on it right away before I got cold
feet. Unfortunately, the person wasn’t
there but I left a message saying that I would be willing to lead the Bible
Study and asked that they call me back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
The more I got to thinking about it, I thought this
book would probably be ideal to use for the Bible Study. Nope, I’m not trying to sell more books,
although additional sales will help whichever charity I choose to donate the
proceeds to. What I was thinking is that
I have this book on my computer. I could
copy several pages each week and enlarge the print to make it easier for the
people in the nursing home to read. We
could talk about how they relate to the passages. Although I haven’t listed every passage in
the Bible that relates to a given topic, I occasionally have other passages
that support a great many of them. This
may take us off into different directions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
You realize that I’m talking this all out with you,
processing it as I write. I think I like
this idea, because I know that the passages I have listed in this book come
from the King James Bible. Then I don’t
have to be concerned about which study guide to pick, worrying if another
author’s point of view matches my belief in Jesus as my Savior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m starting to get excited about this whole new
adventure. I almost feel a little teary
eyed. When I started this book, I said
that I would see where God leads me and within minutes of being finished with
the final editing, I read the request in the newsletter. Not two weeks earlier where I would have
thought that I still had too much to do or two months later, when I might have
slipped away from my resolve to take more risks. God had me read it minutes before
finishing. God works that way in my life
and can work that way in your life too, if you let Him. I know you’re a captive audience, but thanks
for being here with me as I grow in my relationship with God. He has positively influenced my life through
reading the Bible on a daily basis and He can do this for you too. Thanks again.
D.S.)<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-57073746920898949442015-07-20T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-20T06:30:00.099-05:00Employers Who Take Advantage of Minority Employees<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will
be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and
against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his
wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his
right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of Hosts. Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 5.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
God tells us about lots of lifestyle choices that
don’t meet with His approval. One of the
things I was thinking about is the part about not oppressing the hireling in
his wages or turning aside the stranger from his right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I live in an area where there is a large Hispanic
population; many coming here directly from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place>. I see that business owners take advantage of
them and it’s almost a common practice.
The cost of living is high and so are the wages. The businessmen pay the Hispanic workers
sub-standard wages, being able to get away with it because these hard-working
people don’t know the system or the language to dispute this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I remember driving by a construction site on a
Sunday evening, about <st1:time hour="19" minute="0" w:st="on">7:00 p.m.</st1:time> There were 5-6 Hispanic workers busily
digging and installing something at the apartment complex construction
site. I was thinking that the vast
majority of people wouldn’t be working on a Sunday night doing physical labor,
especially without being paid overtime.
(I highly doubt that these men were even offered any overtime.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
The sad thing is these employees are generally
extremely hard workers, but are often treated without the respect they
deserve. Even if we aren’t the people
employing them and paying them the extremely low wages, we might be guilty of
not paying them the respect and dignity they deserve as God’s people?<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-28948061008296414452015-07-16T11:24:00.007-05:002016-08-23T13:30:41.564-05:00Planting the Seeds of Faith<b>Since I already have individual posts on-line for the whole book, Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, I am now putting several links together for each post. Just click on the title of the post if you'd like to read more. Thanks! Debbie Seiling</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2012/09/planting-seeds-of-faith.html"><b>Planting the Seeds of Faith</b></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>Then said He, Unto what is the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">kingdom</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">God</placename></place> like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 18-19.</strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong>This reminds me of when I mention to someone else about how God looked after me in a particular situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like planting a seed that has the potential to grow and to continue to grow into a full-fledged belief in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just like the mustard tree that grows from that tiny seed that is planted.</strong></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong>It makes me think that we never know how the little things we share might make a difference in someone else’s life. My being fearful of sharing my relationship with God may not be giving that person the opportunity to come to have a relationship with God. Click on the Post title to read another related Bible passage.</strong></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong><a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-bird-in-hand-christian_1.html">A Bird in the Hand Christian</a></strong></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 23-27.</strong></i><br />
<i><strong><br /></strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This reminds me of when I was heavy and there were people that weren’t really friendly to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I lost the weight, all of a sudden these same people were much friendlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really want to be close friends with them at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had an opportunity to be friendly with me before when I was heavy, and they hadn’t chosen to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Jesus may be telling us something very similar about putting off our decision to become active Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we don’t acknowledge Him when He calls us, maybe He won’t remember us when we get around to asking Him for help. Click on the Post title to read more.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bible-passages.blogspot.com/2012/10/wandering-off-losing-our-focus.html"><b>Wandering Off-Losing Our Focus</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><strong>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 34-35.<o:p></o:p></strong></i><br />
<i><strong><br /></strong></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When I was reading my Bible this morning, I was thinking about how God uses picturesque language throughout the Bible to give us a mental picture of what He is trying to convey to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage is a good example of that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I can picture a mother hen spreading her wings trying to focus her children to go in the correct direction, just as Jesus does for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we listen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, just like kids we say we want to do things our own way and tend to wander off, losing our focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, when something traumatic happens in our lives or the lives of our loved ones, BAM, we are right back on target, asking God to help with this situation. Click on the Post title to read more.</div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>These are other blogs I felt led to create:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-73791998883826328622015-07-16T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-16T10:01:19.875-05:00God DOES NOT Condone Abuse<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been
witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt
treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not He make one? Yet had He the residue of the Spirit, and
wherefore one? That He might seek a
Godly Seed, Therefore take heed to your Spirit, and let none deal treacherously
against the wife of his youth. For the
Lord, the God of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
saith that He hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment,
saith the Lord of Hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not
treacherously. Malachi, Chapter 2,
verses 14-16.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Some people are able to grab a Bible and quote
verses out of it to support their abuse of their wives and children. I want to tell each and every one of you now;
God <u>Does Not </u>condone abuse whether it’s physical, sexual, mental or any
other type of abuse. Anyone who thinks
God says those behaviors are permissible in the Bible, is twisting things
around (pulling passages out of context) to support their criminal and
inappropriate behavior!!! They can
possibly hide the abuse from others by trying to justify their actions, but
they can’t hide it from God.<i style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-61212160270851963272015-07-13T06:30:00.000-05:002016-08-22T15:22:39.644-05:00Regretted Wishes<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye
every man the Truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of Truth and peace
in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his
neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith
the Lord. Zechariah, Chapter 8, verses
16-17.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Boy, this makes me think of all the times that I
secretly hoped that all of the cheerleaders would get fat. What a terrible thing to wish on other
people.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-79978250997524602632015-07-09T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-09T06:30:00.789-05:00Always Wishing for More<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider
your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring
in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with
drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth
wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. Haggai, Chapter 1, verses 5-7.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
This passage makes me think of times when anything I
have doesn’t seem like enough. I have
food, but I wish I had better food. I
have clothes, but I wish I had better clothes.
I have friends, but I wish I had “status” friends. I have a job, but I wish I had a “high level
job”. I have money, but I wish I had
more money.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Am I ever grateful for what I have? I sure wouldn’t want God saying, “Debbie is
so ungrateful for all I’ve given her. If
she thinks things are tough now, wait until she sees tough. I’m wasting my efforts here. I’ll spend My time helping some other
Christian who appreciates what I do more than she does!” Something for me to think about, what about
you?<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-42004474936459529852015-07-06T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-06T06:30:01.095-05:00The Bible Doesn't Say Our Lives Are Controlled by Fate<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
God had been telling Jonah to go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> to tell them to
change their ways or they would be destroyed, but Jonah had been reluctant to
do it until he was swallowed into the belly of the great fish. After God saved him, he went to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> to do God’s Will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s
journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> shall be overthrown. So the people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> believed God, and proclaimed a fast,
and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For Word came unto the king of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place>, and he arose from
his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and
sat in ashes. And he caused it to be
proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles,
saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them
not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and
cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from
the violence that is in their hands. Who
can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger that
we perish not? And God saw their works,
that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that He had
said that He would do unto them; and He did it not. Jonah, Chapter 3, verses 4-10.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Some people believe our lives are controlled by fate
and we can’t do anything to change our lives or our fate. Well, this passage refutes that
position. The people of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place> lived the high
life and didn’t focus on God. They
turned their lives around after Jonah warned them that they were going to be
destroyed and God spared them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
So that means that if we have made some pretty
stupid counterproductive choices in our lives, we can apologize to God and turn
our actions around. God will forgive us,
too, just like He did for the people who lived in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Nineveh</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<b>*<i>Bless the
LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from
destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Psalm, Chapter 103, verses 2-4.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<b>*<i>The LORD is
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He
keep His anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor regarded
us according to our iniquities. For as
the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear
Him. As far as the east is from the
west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the
LORD pitieth them that fear Him. Psalm,
Chapter 103, verses 8-13.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*But the mercy
of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His
righteousness unto children’s children: To such as keep His covenant, and to
those that remember His Commandments to do them. Psalm, Chapter 103, verses 17-18.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-35818245218558713802015-07-02T06:30:00.000-05:002015-07-02T06:30:01.667-05:00One True God and It Sure Wasn't the Astrologers, Magicians or Wizards!<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and
said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the
astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; But there is a
God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king
Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon
thy bed, are these… Daniel, Chapter 2, verses 27-28.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
You may want to read the rest of the second chapter
of Daniel and elsewhere in Daniel to find out what is going to happen in the
last days. It has more to do with
symbols of countries that are in power or have fallen at particular times in
history. I don’t truly understand all of
that, but I have an uncle who has studied this topic and is very knowledgeable
about this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
This passage is included because of the people who
turned to fortune tellers, astrologers, magicians, etc. None of these could interpret the meaning of
the king’s dream, but God could. After
Daniel interpreted the dream by trusting the instincts that God gave him, the
king realized there is only <u>One True God and it sure wasn’t the astrologers,
magicians or wizards!</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Do you think God would be pleased that the
influences of the astrologers, wizards and magicians have worked their way into
our lives through the newspapers, books, TV and the movies we choose? Are we spending time focusing on something
other than the One True God without even realizing it?<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-31885947321059003092015-06-29T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-29T06:30:03.759-05:00Going to Great Lengths to Prove Their Faith When It Is Unnecessary<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And they built the high places of Baal, which are in
the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to
pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it
into My mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. Jeremiah, Chapter 32, verse 35.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
What people are willing to do in the name of their
beliefs always seems to amaze me. Can
you imagine how some people were willing to have their children, their own
flesh and blood, walk through fire thinking these acts will get them
Salvation? They went to such great
lengths when all God asks of us is to<u> believe in Jesus Christ, as our
Savior, and try to live as examples of how He works in our lives</u>. He doesn’t ask that we sacrifice our
children, give all our belongings or money away to have Salvation. His request from us is pretty simple, but I
guess it seems too simple for some.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
What a shame.
Some people can risk their Salvation by getting led astray by cults or
they send some TV evangelist all their money so they can get to heaven but they
aren’t turning to God. All we have to do
to get Salvation is underlined in this section.
I like to skip the middlemen and focus directly on God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nation from
before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and
dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by
following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou
inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods?
Even so will I do like wise. Thou shalt
not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which He
hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters
they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add
thereto, nor diminish from it. Deuteronomy,
Chapter 12, verses 29-32.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*And when the king of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Moab</st1:country-region>
saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men
that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Edom</st1:country-region></st1:place>: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have
reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>:
and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. 2 Kings, Chapter 3, verses 26-27. </b></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-71476263459323366032015-06-25T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-25T06:30:02.210-05:00Acting Like Nothing Ever Happened<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot
profit. Will ye steal, murder, and
commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after
other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before Me in this house, which
is called by My Name, and say, We are delivered to do all these
abominations? Jeremiah, Chapter 7,
verses 8-10.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I realize that we don’t burn incense to idols like
Baal, and then go to church, acting like nothing ever happened. Do we do unethical things at work in order to
climb the corporate ladder and then go to church and act like nothing ever
happened? Do we flirt with people other
than our spouse and then go to church acting like nothing ever happened? Do we tell white lies to get ourselves out of
financial predicaments with the I.R.S. and then go to church acting like
nothing ever happened? Are we rude and
talk hatefully to others, even telemarketers, and then go to church acting like
nothing ever happened?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
It’s funny how we can waltz into church acting as if
we can pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.
Maybe we can pull the wool over the eyes of most, but not God who sees
and knows who we are and what we have failed to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Consider taking the time to tell God that you
haven’t always behaved the way He would want.
Ask Him to forgive you and give you the willingness to be a better
Christian in the future. He will do it
if you take the time to ask Him to.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-89409811562248226742015-06-22T06:30:00.000-05:002016-08-22T15:10:11.283-05:00Turning Our Act Around<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon
Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah, Chapter 55, verses 6-7.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
It’s amazing, how forgiving God is. The people had been focusing on astrologers
and sorcerers rather than Him, the One True God. God told them that if they realized that they
were wrong and turned their act around, He would forgive them and take care of
them. Such divine forgiveness is
something I haven’t always been able to muster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
If people were rude to me, I might be nice to them,
but I still remembered that they had been rude to me. Well, this far surpasses any rudeness or
disloyalty we might have to endure. God
is always willing to forgive us if we ask Him and turn our act around by
focusing on His will for us.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-14033241560444709402015-06-18T06:30:00.000-05:002016-08-22T15:05:44.993-05:00You Made Your Bed, Now Lie in It<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the
multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be
thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou are wearied in the multitude of thy
counsels. Let now the astrologers the
stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these
things that shall come upon thee.
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal
to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy
merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none
shall save thee. Isaiah, Chapter 47,
verses 12-15.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
God seems to be telling the Babylonians
(paraphrased), “You made your bed, now lie in it!” Prior to this, God tried to refocus the
Babylonians who were being led astray.
They listened to those with power, the sorcerers and astrologers, etc. People were paying attention to them instead
of to God. He told them (paraphrased),
“When push comes to shove, those people you looked up to are going to hit the
road and they won’t be there to protect you.
But then again, you deserve it because you ignored Me when I tried to
help you. I am the Only One who could
have saved you. So, sad!<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-11888770338221058772015-06-15T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-15T06:30:01.814-05:00How Does God Feel About People Who Believe in Using the God Power Within Them?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of
the morning! how art thou cut down to
the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the
congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the
clouds: I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon
thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to
tremble, that did shake kingdoms. That made the world as a wilderness, and
destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? Isaiah, Chapter 14, verses 12-17.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
God is condemning Satan’s influence on mankind,
especially <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Babylon</st1:city></st1:place>. Now, if God didn’t like that Satan had tried
to become like God, don’t you think God would be equally displeased when people
professing to be Christians want to have “the god power within them?” I’m no expert, but through the things I have
read in the Bible, God usually gets pretty upset when anyone is arrogant enough
to try to gain the power of God.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-16424404438337693702015-06-11T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-11T06:30:00.843-05:00Are Extra-Marital Affairs Becoming the Norm?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil,
that put darkness for light, and Light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter! Isaiah, Chapter 5,
verse 20.</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
It’s sad that having extra-marital affairs has
almost become a norm in society. People
seem to feel no remorse in doing unethical things in order to climb the ladder
of success. People who have great status
and wealth are looked upon more approvingly than those who lead good-Christian
lives. People who live according to
their Christian ethics are often ridiculed and aren’t given the same respect as
others. God calls it like He sees it! When it comes to determining people’s
Salvation, no amount of money, status or remarks trying to justify one’s
actions are going to buy them entrance into heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Here are some related passages:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<b>*<i>Which justify the wicked for reward, and take
away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,
and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and
their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the Law of the
LORD of Hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled
against His people, and He hath stretched forth His hand against them and hath
smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the
midst of the streets. For all this His
anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. Isaiah, Chapter 5, verses 23-25.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*And they shall teach My people the difference
between the Holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and
the clean. And in controversy they shall
stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to My judgments: and they
shall keep My Laws and My Statutes in all Mine assemblies; and they shall
hallow My Sabbaths. Ezekiel, Chapter 44,
verses 23-24.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so
the Lord, the God of Hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and
establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of Hosts will be
gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Amos, Chapter 5, verses 14-15.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is
good in the sight of the LORD, and He delighteth in them: or, Where is the God
of judgment? Malachi, Chapter 2, verse
17.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://Relate2theBible@blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 18pt;"><b></b></a><br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-76839367268107506312015-06-08T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-08T06:30:02.322-05:00Relying on Someone Else's Opinion<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our
God. Isaiah, Chapter 40, verse 3.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
When a new movie comes
out on the market, there are some who won’t go to see it immediately. They don’t just believe the advertisements
that the movie producers put out. They
are cautious, waiting until they see the movie reviews first to make sure it’s
going to be good. Well, I think that’s
why John the Baptist was important.
Others had to hear him say that Jesus was our Savior before they would
be open to believing. Those that heard
John the Baptist profess this were more willing to risk believing in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Isn’t it strange that
some have to hear someone else’s opinion before they are willing to take
risks? Well, there are people out there
who aren’t going to get to know Jesus as their Savior unless they hear us share
the positive influence Jesus has in our lives.
It makes me realize that I have a bigger responsibility than I was aware
of. My sitting quietly, rationalizing
why it’s not a good time to share this information with others may keep someone
else from getting to heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Here are some related
passages from the New Testament:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet
Esaias, saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of
the Lord, make His paths straight.
Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 3.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>*For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I
send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before
Thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them
that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he. And from the days of John the
Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent
take it by force. Matthew, Chapter 11,
verses 10-12.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://Relate2theBible@blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 18pt;"><b></b></a><br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-83142119912202545382015-06-04T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-04T06:30:02.185-05:00Get Off Your High Horse<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and
the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted
in that day. And the idols He shall
utterly abolish. And they shall go into
the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD,
and for the Glory of His Majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the
earth. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verses 17-19.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
I remember my father
reminding me not to get so high and mighty when I was spouting off about
something. I’m glad he drew my attention
to it. I don’t want God coming to me
someday saying, “Debbie, get off your high horse. You think you’re someone special just because
you have a Master’s degree. If you spent
less time focused on your career and your ‘stuff,’ you’d have more time to
focus on Me and what I want for you. It
would have been nice if you could have joined Me in heaven, but you had your
chance and blew it on worldly things-so sad!”</div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://Relate2theBible@blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 18pt;"><b></b></a><br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-9981888241724309872015-06-01T06:30:00.000-05:002015-06-01T06:30:00.928-05:00Those Who Validate Atrocities to Those Different From Us<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>Therefore thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of
Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the
Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verse 6.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
It doesn’t sound like God approves of His people
getting involved in fortune telling and trying to predict the future. He probably isn’t any more pleased with
people doing things like this, today!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
What’s even more abominable is that they pleased
themselves, in the children of strangers.
Does child abuse, child porn, etc. seem less objectionable when it’s connected
to children who are totally different than we are? During war times, atrocities like this are
committed as if the women and children of other countries are sub-human
entities, absolving them of any guilt for abusing them. It’s an abomination no matter what!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
Children aren’t to be exploited. Looking at child porn sites on the Internet
keeps people in the business of taking advantage of children. Are you helping to perpetuate the problem?<i style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://Relate2theBible@blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 18pt;"><b></b></a><br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong><br />
<div>
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2625119289041301040.post-88343529293279487052015-05-28T06:30:00.000-05:002015-05-28T06:30:01.111-05:00God Has Times to Fight for the Cause<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b>And He shall judge among the nations, and shall
rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more. O
house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord. Isaiah, Chapter 2, verses 4-5.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
This is a very famous passage. There is another passage in the Bible that is
the complete opposite, telling people to beat their plowshares into swords and
spears. <b><i>Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears:
let the weak say I am strong. Joel,
Chapter 3, verse 10</i>. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
These passages tell me that God has times when we
are to fight for the causes He wants.
Then there are times when we aren’t to fight and are to try to maintain
peace in all aspects of our lives, if at all possible<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.</b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com/">Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog</a></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://Relate2theBible@blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 18pt;"><b></b></a><br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://relate2thebible.blogspot.com/">Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!</a></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b><a href="http://typesofchristians.blogspot.com/">Types of Christians</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><a href="http://achristiancaregiver.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">A Christian Caregiver</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie</strong></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com