tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89774348879404836942023-11-15T06:12:28.458-08:00Pastor Paul ReddingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-435573438742240382018-04-03T11:32:00.000-07:002018-04-03T11:32:17.419-07:00I Am Free<i style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">1 Corinthians 6:11 “…and such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I looked down at my hands, and saw the raw flesh where shackles used to bind them together. Those chains had been there so long, even the gentlest breeze seemed to brush across exposed flesh like a cold flame, exciting every nerve. I was finally free! The Judge had commuted my sentence because he decided to have mercy on me, and graciously pay my fine so that I could escape my doom. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Not only had my sentence been passed over, but my record of wrongs was cleared, and I was walking out of the courtroom a free and forgiven man with a clean slate, just as though I had never done wrong. I had a new chance at life, and a kind of wild joy that I admittedly did not know how to handle. All I knew was that for the first time I did not have to feel the weight of guilt and shame, and I did not have to spend my day looking over my shoulder, ready to run away from Authority. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">There was something new in my heart, a new desire was growing and becoming my singular thought. Gratitude was filling my heart and mind, and overflowing my senses. I wanted to thank the one who had granted me pardon, but I couldn’t think how I could express such gratitude. Then, as I rounded the corner, an old friend greeted me from across the street. Temptation and I had our share of adventures, most of them leading me into the very trouble I had just escaped. He called out to me, and everything in me wanted to pretend I didn’t hear, but I looked across at him and waved. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Temptation crossed the street and met me with a mischievous grin. “Look what I have cooked up for us today!”, he whispered with an edge of excitement as he opened one side of his jacket. Inside his coat hung a pair of shackles that were of the most exquisite craftsmanship, gleaming and bright with appeal. On it were inscribed all of my former pastimes: intoxication, pornography, gossip, bitterness… All of a sudden, I once again felt the bare exposed skin of my hands longing for their old coverings, and I found my hand reaching forward.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">As I slipped my hand into the lovely chains, I felt a rush of forbidden thrill. I knew no one was forcing me to wear them, I was in control this time. The rush of excitement in my ears quickly faded as I heard the sound of determined footsteps behind me and I turned to see the Judge approaching me and Temptation. My heart broke, and regret washed over me as I saw the stern compassion in his eyes. Silently, he handed me a key and laid his hand on my shoulder. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I looked down at my shackles and noticed the hidden barbs and hooks that had already begun to settle in my skin, and a wave of revulsion came over me for the amusements I once held dear. From his hand upon my shoulder, I felt a glow of strength and desire to please the Judge who had sacrificed so much for me. A new affection for his joy began to replace my love for Temptation's pleasures. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">As I turned the key, Temptation’s angry glare threatened to undo my resolve, but the shackles dropped effortlessly from my hands. The Judge’s embrace told me all my heart needed to hear. I was loved, even in my foolishness, but love led me out of bondage and into freedom. I am FREE!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-23988967174186731962018-03-27T17:56:00.000-07:002018-03-27T17:56:16.635-07:00The Guilty Gone Free<i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”</i><br />
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I stood in the courtroom, the tension of impending judgement filled the air. I looked around the courtroom, anxiously trying to identify the accused. I wanted to see his face before the judge came in. I wanted to try to understand what he was thinking. I wondered how he would react to the verdict we all knew was coming. Silence came to the courtroom as the officers opened the door to the judge’s chamber, but still I could not see the guilty. Just then I noticed that while some in the courtroom were watching for the judge to emerge from his chamber, everyone else was looking at me.</div>
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Then it came over me like a flood of crushing memory…I was the accused. It was the evidence in my case that lay exposed before the judge’s bench. I stood now on the brink of disaster, of the forfeiture of my life, for my crimes were deep and severe, and the punishment to come would certainly reflect the seriousness of my guilt. There was no way I would be able to pay the fines due for my offenses, no other plea. I had numbed myself to the reality of my plight, causing myself to look at others for signs of guilt, but all the while it was me.</div>
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Quickly, my mind raced…perhaps I could convince the judge that I had changed and that I would never commit such crimes again. Maybe he would give me credit for all of the other “good” things I had accomplished. Or perhaps, he might let me go if I offered to do him some favor. But what favor could be so great that he would turn a blind eye to my case? No, he was a just judge…he would never pervert justice like that! My shoulders sank at the dawning realization that nothing would suffice, nothing could shield me from the inevitable. My only plea was for mercy. </div>
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As the judgement was declared, the word “Guilty” rang in my ears, and all in attendance seemed to finally exhale. The judge quietly asked, “Do you have anything you wish to say before I render your sentence?”. I could not even look up at him. I simply whispered, “Please…sir…have mercy.” The courtroom once again fell silent.</div>
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My head was still hanging heavy under the shame I felt, and so I didn’t understand the rustle of cloth and the squeak of an old wooden chair that broke the silence of the room as the judge rose from the bench. Then, I looked up, confused as I saw the judge stepping down from his perch and walking over to the bailiff of the court. Bewildered, I watched him pull out his pen and write out a check for the full amount of my fine. As he handed it to the bailiff, he turned to me, and with tears of compassion in his eyes he said, “You are now free to leave the court, not because you are innocent, but because your fine has been paid. You are forgiven.” </div>
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Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, stepped down to pay the penalty for the sins of humanity by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice that would satisfy eternal justice. The conflict of God’s loving kindness for humanity, and His absolute adherence to justice found its resolution in the cross of Jesus as His body was broken, and His blood was spilled on our behalf. Forgiveness of sins is available to all who would surrender their self-made claims of innocence, and simply cry out for mercy. God stands ready to heal the wounds of our sin and cleanse the slate of our past. Come to Jesus, and be saved!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-82231816133906980352018-03-20T09:41:00.000-07:002018-03-20T09:41:05.603-07:00An Appointment with a Donkey<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<i>"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9</i></div>
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Many times in Jesus’ ministry, the people who heard his profound words of wisdom and saw His miraculous deeds pressed to bring Him to Jerusalem and announce Him as their king. They hoped He would be the one who would deliver Israel from its oppressors, and once again restore a long awaited kingdom to their land. Indeed, Jesus had brought a new kingdom to this earth, but it was not the kingdom that the people were hoping for. They desired to see national freedom, but Christ had come to bring a different kind of freedom altogether.</div>
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Every time, the people pressed to take Him upon their shoulders and announce Him as their king, Jesus evaded their grasp and went away to a quiet place, or off to some other town to continue His ministry there. Until one day, when Jesus commanded His disciples to go into town and get a certain donkey for Him so that He might ride into Jerusalem. In fulfillment of the above prophecy in Zechariah, Jesus rode into Jerusalem with men and women, boys and girls, waving palm branches and singing specific Psalms that were reserved for the coming of the Messiah. </div>
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Why did Jesus refuse the exaltation of the people in so many instances, and then deliberately organize a ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey? It is because Jesus, the author of our salvation, was fulfilling a prophecy given nearly 600 years previous. In the book of Daniel, the prophet receives a message from God that describes the exact day when the Messiah would present Himself in Jerusalem. Jesus’ famous donkey ride was a fulfillment, to the day, of that peculiar prophecy, and a further declaration that He was the promised deliverer who would bring salvation to the world.</div>
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The week that followed was history’s most tragic turn of events. The man who was hailed as a miraculous king as He entered Jerusalem, was cursed as a blasphemous criminal, and sent out of Jerusalem to his death on a Roman cross. The Son of God was maligned and abandoned by His closest friends and betrayed with a kiss. But none of these things deterred Him from accomplishing His mission.</div>
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You see, Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost”. Jesus knew that He must pay the ultimate price to purchase us from the kingdom of darkness in order to bring us into the kingdom of light. And because of His love for us, and His willingness to follow through with the greatest act of self-sacrificial love, He allowed Himself to be taken to the cross of Calvary, there to become the sacrifice for our sins. </div>
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This Easter season, I hope you will remember what Jesus did for you because of His great love for you. Please come celebrate with us this Easter, the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-16915587264473419582018-03-13T09:30:00.000-07:002018-03-13T09:30:14.649-07:00Encouragement<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Article: Encouragement</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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<i>2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”</i></div>
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One of the great and necessary tasks of our day, is to encourage one another. It is a great task, because the simple, yet profound power of encouragement is effective to build up the lives of others and ourselves. Encouragement is a necessary task in these days when so many things seem to be so tense and uncertain, and there are so many opportunities to lose faith and hope, and to slip into a darkness of wary depression. There is nothing that limits the power of encouragement except our willingness to give it. God has given us the gift of encouragement as a tool to enrich and sweeten the lives of others. So let me join in with scripture, as it encourages us to take on a lifestyle of encouragement.</div>
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The dictionary defines encouragement as “to inspire with courage, spirit or hope”. That is to say, that when we take time to lift up someone else with an encouraging word, we are breathing into them a sweetness of life, the resolution to face challenges, and the expectation of a better day. Surprisingly, it does not take very much to bring this kind of life-giving sweetness to someone else’s life. It simply takes a little bit of interest. </div>
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In our world, there are so many distractions, busy schedules, and so much focus on the negative things in life, that we seldom have anything left of ourselves to take a genuine interest in other people. So many of us are too busy trying to survive our own lives because we have stacked them up with endless lists of tasks, obligations and cravings, that we don’t have much margin to give to the people around us and take a genuine interest in building them up. However, if we take the time to engage one another in conversation, take the time to listen instead of answer, or find opportunities to lift one another up and point each other to a higher mark, we will not only sweeten someone else’s life but also our own. And there is nothing wrong with reaching the end of the day, knowing that God has been able to use you to bring a little light to a dark world.</div>
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Encourage one another: thank a teacher for taking time to educate, let a hospital worker know you appreciate their efforts on behalf of the sick and dying, tell your pastor about what God is teaching you through their ministry, let a friend know you are thinking of them, lend a helping hand expecting nothing in return. The opportunities are endless if we are looking for them. Surely our homes, our churches, our families, and our community will be a better place for these simple acts of encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-58596680976665117212018-03-07T16:58:00.000-08:002018-03-07T16:58:00.191-08:00A Great Man and a Great Savior!<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px;">It has been a couple weeks now, since the world lost one of its most respected and revered men of faith, Dr. Billy Graham. His death came at age 99, following years of dwindling health. However, a general feeling of joy, mixed with sadness, has dominated the coverage of his death and ceremonies honoring the man and his ministry.</span><br />
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It was noted by Graham’s son, Franklin, that Billy would most likely have felt uncomfortable with the amount of press coverage and the high visibility of his passing. Dr. Graham would most likely have wanted to spend more time talking about his Savior, to whom he had pointed well over 210 million people in over 180 countries during his career. I agree with that sentiment. One day, the world will forget about you and I. Our memory will fade, but Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, will be remembered until the end of time for who He was, and for what He did for the world. </div>
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As a young man, Billy Graham attended a gospel meeting held by a minister named Mordecai Ham. Even though he was a fairly well behaved youth, Billy still felt the weight of the minister’s words as he laid out the law of God, showing his audience their need for a savior in light of their offenses against God. When an invitation to respond to God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ was given, young Billy responded with heart-felt desire for God’s love and forgiveness. A gospel message so simple and so clear rang through the heart of that young man, such that it became an undeniable call- a message to the world that he simply<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>had<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>to share. </div>
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The message is simple: mankind, though created by God with distinct beauty and dignity in all of creation, had fallen prey to the ravages of sin and become desperately needful of a Savior who could pay the just penalty for their offenses of God’s holiness. In light of humanity’s urgent need and complete inability to earn their own salvation, God decided to enter into history and become the only satisfactory payment for sin on their behalf. That’s the good news! God loves you enough to pay the ultimate price for you!</div>
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The power and truth of this message still rings true to this day. God offers forgiveness, mercy, grace and salvation through His son, Jesus. Remember with me, words of the famous song that was the gospel call at every one of Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings: "Just as I am, without one plea, but that Your blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee. O Lamb of God, I come!"</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-68079890997907284242018-03-01T06:26:00.003-08:002018-03-01T06:26:44.389-08:00What Profit?<br /><br />“What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36<br /><br />These are Jesus words, filled with thought provoking wisdom. They were spoken by a man who grew up as the son of a carpenter, in a small village. He was not rich, He didn’t even have a place of His own to lay His head. One one occasion, when asked if He was hungry, Jesus replied that His food was to do the work of His Father. Jesus was a God/Man who knew about the importance of having priorities in order.<br /><br />In Matthew 19, a story is told of how a wealthy and influential young man came to Jesus to ask what he had to do to earn his entrance into heaven. He listed his resume for the Master, letting Him know that he had kept the commandments, and had been a “good person”. Jesus, returned by saying that the young man had yet to sell all of his worldly possessions, give the money to the poor, then come to be His disciple. Was that really the key to gaining entrance into heaven?<br /><br />Jesus was not laying out a prescription for paradise. Rather, Jesus was getting at an issue that He knew was in the young man’s heart. The young man treasured his wealth more than the opportunity to walk closely with the Lord. When he heard the call to sacrifice it all, the young man walked away from Jesus sorrowfully. Jesus was getting at the heart of the young man’s primary issue, that of idolatry.<br /><br />Martin Luther once described human beings as “idol factories”. He was right! We were created by God as active worshippers, that is to say that we are always worshipping something. We readily pour ourselves into a multitude of pursuits, and elevate our own existence above the will of God. It is the nature of our affections to be inclined toward something…anything. We were intended to love and worship God, but sin has presented many more options for our attentions. <br /><br />Jesus’ words are a clear call to us today. His question is just as relevant, “What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?”. What will it gain you and I if we master our earthly existence with no regard for eternity? Jesus calls to us to come and follow Him, to acknowledge Him as Lord and receive from Him. He is the lover of our souls, and knows exactly what we need.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-60304063700841198552018-03-01T06:25:00.000-08:002018-03-01T06:25:00.256-08:00Big Words to a Small Man<i>"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”</i> Luke 19:10<br /><br />These famously encouraging words were uttered by Jesus about himself, concerning His self-defined mission to bring truth and life to all who would believe. This truth would set them free and God would reclaim lives that had otherwise been lost. To whom did Jesus speak these words?<br /><br />You probably know the children’s Sunday school song, “Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man”. It is a cute song, and so much fun to sing with little kids. They love to do the actions that tell the story of a smaller than average man who long ago found himself looking for the Messiah on a crowded street. As the story goes, this short man decided to climb a tree in order to get a better vantage point from which he could see Jesus as he walked down the street. Such was Jesus fame and popularity at this time in His ministry, that the crowds pressed in around Him and vied for His attentions. While Zacchaeus intended to look for Jesus, he soon found that Jesus was looking for Him.<br /><br />Luke 19 tells us that Jesus, as He came to the tree where Zacchaeus had posted himself, He looked up and called out to the little man, “Come down right away. I must stay at your house tonight!” Can you imagine? Out of all of the crowds of people, Jesus finds Zacchaeus and invites Himself to dinner! I can only imagine that Zacchaeus might have panicked a little, but he graciously welcomed this famous Rabbi into his home.<br /><br />Following supper, the effects of the Savior’s willingness to fellowship with and befriend him, became obvious. You see, as a tax collector, Zacchaeus was a Jew that was working with the Roman government to tax his fellow countrymen. Roman law permitted him to overcharge Jewish citizens and claim the extra as profit for his wages. Zacchaeus was among some of the most unliked and unappreciated people of his culture. But Jesus looked past what Zacchaeus was, and saw one who was lost. As Zacchaeus stood to boldly declare his repentance from his greed and abuse, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” <br /><br />Zacchaeus saw, in Jesus, a gracious willingness to forgive and love that softened the hardness of his heart. Greed was replaced by generosity, falsehood by a love of the Truth, and lostness by fellowship. Though he was unworthy, the Savior met him and reached out a saving hand to him. <br /><br />Today, Jesus extends that same hand to you. Forgiveness, restoration, mercy are all yours to be found if you will but seek Him. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-62592028613794847052018-03-01T06:23:00.003-08:002018-03-01T06:23:45.307-08:00Every Tribe and Tongue<i>"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”</i> Revelation 7:9-10<br /><br />Language sounds like music to my ears. As a musician, there is a part of my mind that hears pitch, tone, rhythm, pulse, duration, and melody in spoken language. Various languages sound like individual instruments in a great vocal symphony. Some are flowing and melodic, others forceful and percussive. Still other languages seem to work quite nicely in layers of people all exuberantly talking at the same time. All together, the languages of this world form a great symphony, bearing witness to the God that created us.<br /><br />In Genesis 11, the story is told of how God confused the language of a people who were bound and determined to rebel against God. Instead of speaking one language and pursuing a life in rebellion to God’s plan, God graciously intervened by fracturing their language, causing them to stop building a great tower where they could worship the creation instead of the Creator. <br /><br />Psalm 19:1-4 describes a universal language of the stars that “declares the glory of God” and the beauty of His handiwork. It tells how the whole world “hears” this testimony and no one is left out. Language is the medium of the expression of God sharing His glory with all of humanity. Elsewhere, Scripture encourages us to use language in ways that build up and edify and bless, instead of tearing down, demeaning, and destroying. The words of our mouths, expressing the thoughts of our hearts and minds, are powerful tools of help or harm.<br /><br />The above text from Revelation brings a beautiful close to the Bible’s the use of language. In it, we see men and women, boys and girls, from all over the world, praising God. The author makes a special effort to describe to us that there will be believers from every nation, from each of their tribes, and each of their language groups. They call out and sing of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who washes away the sins of the world. What a beautiful sound that will be!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-68969770156020157372018-03-01T06:21:00.003-08:002018-03-01T06:22:42.176-08:00The Sunday-Monday GapLet’s admit it, most of us live for the weekend. We get a sense of relief when we get to the end of a work week, and when the weekend arrives we like to have fun, relax, go to church, go fishing, or whatever… it’s the weekend! It’s nice to get a break from the daily routine of the work week, but it’s just about as jarring to jump back into the routine on Monday morning.<br />
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If you are like most people, there is a sense that there is a rather large gap between Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, many people go to church to worship, and take some time throughout the day to relax and rest in preparation for the coming work week. When Monday comes around, we have a perhaps unspoken sense that we are now going back to “reality” or back to “the real world”. The idea of worshiping God is reserved for Sundays, and on Mondays we go back to the grind.<br />
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What if God desired to walk with us throughout the entire week, and show us His glory in the every day circumstances of the work week? What if God could be worshiped in every act, every transaction, every interaction we have with others? May I suggest that is exactly God’s desire for our lives. <br />
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Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” For the believer, his or her employer might be a bank or a grocery store or a school, but ultimately their boss is Jesus! When we work with integrity and devotion to the task at hand, we honor God and glorify Him in our bodies!<br />
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God desires to reveal Himself and guide us along the path of our lives on a daily basis. Our attitudes toward work and the workplace affect our relationships to our spouse, our kids, our community, and even our church families. May God challenge us to do our work for Him, and allow us to see His glory in us!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-7083344042520183482017-05-23T09:54:00.000-07:002017-05-23T09:54:29.790-07:00The B-I-B-L-EArticle: The B-I-B-L-E<br />
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“The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.” So goes the words of a popular children’s Sunday school song. Can you remember singing it in class or at the Sunday school program? It is a simple song, with a profound meaning that we hope will settle deep in the hearts of our children- reliance upon the word of God, and trust in the God of the word.<br />
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In Romans chapter one the Bible tells us that there are crucial aspects of God that may be known through an understanding of His creation, namely His eternal power and divine nature. These aspects are demonstrated in creation and in the human conscience. Through the creation we can see God’s power, creativity, ingenuity, design, and precision, while the conscience convinces us that there is a difference between right and wrong. Not only does the conscience give us an inward nod of approval when we do what is right, but it also brings conviction when we do things that are contrary to the God who made us. <br />
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While the creation and conscience speak loud and clear about the existence and authority of God, there is much about Him that we would not know if it were not for His word, the Bible. The Bible is composed of 66 books, written by 40 authors, over a period of a couple thousand years, using three languages. All of its histories, poetry, wisdom sayings, and prophecies point to one singular theme. They point to the coming of God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, to this earth to love, teach, and die for the sins of the world. <br />
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In Christ we see the image of God in human flesh, the word of God spoken to us, the love of God expressed on the cross, and the forgiveness of God guaranteed in an empty tomb. In prophecy, we see a God who can see and interact with the entire scope of human history, in the Law we learn of a God who has standards. The Bible’s histories show us how God has worked among His people, and in Biblical poetry, we see the heart-aching beauty of a God who knows and cares about every facet of our existence.<br />
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I don’t know if you have ever heard of the “Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible”, but sometimes kids learn it when they go to Bible camp or vacation Bible school. Its words summarize a heart of gratitude to God for His word, and a devotion to its study. It goes like this: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, and I will hide its words in my heart, that I might not sin against God.” Let me encourage you to take some time this week to spend a little time with God in His word. <br />
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Northwood Community Bible Church celebrates thirty years of ministry this August. We are grateful to God for the many opportunities He has given us to worship and serve Him, and to minister to the people of our community and surrounding areas. Have a blessed summer, and may God draw you ever closer to Him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-45171014301871587192017-05-16T09:55:00.000-07:002017-05-18T09:56:02.172-07:00At GraduationDear Sons and Daughters,<br />
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Graduation is now near. We are proud of you, and the way you have grown over the years. We are impressed with your accomplishments and aspirations, and we are anxiously looking forward to hearing of your success in the next phase of your lives. We are welcoming you into a world that needs your help, your creativity, your ingenuity and your care. <br />
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I am sure you are going to hear a lot of good advice in the coming weeks- advice about careers, and wise choices, college and family. Through all of your upcoming adventures, may I suggest that you are going to need a solid foundation to build your life upon, especially in challenging times. Consider the following words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3...<br />
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"... no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”<br />
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God has laid a foundation of grace, upon which we live and move and build our lives. That foundation is the love of God, expressed through Jesus Christ. It is upon that foundation that we build in order to bless others and glorify God. Let me urge you to present yourselves as a living gift to God. Don’t be conformed to the rest of the world, rather be transformed and let God renew your mind so that you may do His will and allow Him to love others through you. <br />
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The world that you are entering is experiencing a great deal of confusion and chaos right now. Politically, socially, morally, and financially, there are many who find their feet planted firmly in mid-air. There is an old saying worth noting: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”. Dedicate yourself to a good work ethic, seek to bless your family and community, make the most of the incredible gift of life that God has given you. And most important, allow all of these things to draw you closer to the God who gave them to you- the God who calls to you, “Come, follow me…”<br />
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There is a big beautiful world out there. Come and make the most of it with us!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-84277147957233025532017-05-09T07:10:00.000-07:002017-05-18T10:00:19.875-07:00Nearsightedness<br />
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When I was a boy, I used to ride my bicycle all over the place. A whole group of kids from my neighborhood would range across our end of town and beyond to find adventure and fun. I had a little trouble with my bicycle from time to time, as the leg of my pants would often get caught in the chain. Since I was so small, I usually ended up on the pavement scraped and mad at my “stupid bike”. <br />
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One day, I rode a few blocks from my house to the park, all by myself. I had a plan, I would turn my legs out from the pedals as they turned in order to avoid the pant-leg pinch. I made it to the park and played, and was riding back home, when I began to think of how awesome my plan was working! I looked down to watch how I was able to avoid the grasp of the bike chain, and I watched in amazement until I slammed into the back of a parked car!<br />
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Peter talks about building the wall of Christian character, maturing in the faith by increasing in knowledge, virtue, self-control, steadfastness, brotherly love, and more (2 Peter 1:5-8). He says that if those qualities are present and increasing in our lives we will avoid being ineffective and unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Conversely, he says if we lack these qualities, it’s like we are so near-sighted that we are blind. <br />
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Spiritually speaking, when we get our eyes focused on the temporary matters of this passing world instead of the weightier matters of eternity, when we allow fear and doubt to rule in our minds, when we have our heads turned to mourn the sorrows of the past so that we cannot see the beauty that lies before us, we are functionally near sighted or even blind to the blessings God wants to bring to our lives. We become convinced that the demands of the here and now are all there is to think about, and we forget that God is calling shaping us for a much bigger purpose than we can even imagine.<br />
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Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and faithfully press on toward the goal of His high calling. <br />
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"<i>The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."</i> (Acts 17:24).<br />
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God does not live in temples made with human hands. This is a surprising and profound statement when you consider that so much of the world has always believed and functioned as though the only way to be close to God or to hear from Him was to meet him in some holy place. All over the world, and throughout history, humanity has sought to reach out to God and hear from him in churches, temples, high-mountain caverns, desert shrines, and all manner of sacred spaces. The Bible, however, draws a distinct line in the sand when it regards the habitation of the Most High.<br />
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In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the apostle Paul writes concerning a gift that God has given humanity- namely their physical bodies. He writes to assure them of the sacred importance God places on the stewardship of our bodies. This stewardship is primarily an act of worship to God. He writes, “…do you not know that you body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” God did not only desire to dwell among men, He also desired to dwell within them in a relation of intimacy and fellowship. That close relationship came at a high price, though.<br />
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You see, humanity is separated from God because of the sinful nature of our hearts. There really is nothing we can do to bridge the gap between ourselves and God because our efforts fall short. But God was able to reach down to mankind when He took on flesh and died to pay the penalty for our sins. That’s what scripture means when it says we were bought with a price…that price was the life of Jesus Christ. It is with an attitude of gratefulness and devotion that we respond to him in devotion for all that He has done.<br />
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Romans 12:1 instructs us to present our bodies to God as a “living sacrifice”, which is our reasonable act of worship. When we devote our time and talents to the work of God, we are worshiping Him with the "living sacrifice" of our lives. When we intentionally combat sinful habits and attitudes in our lives, we are worshiping Him with a “living sacrifice”. When we simply acknowledge God and His lordship over our every day, we worship God with a “living sacrifice”. We are invited by God to be transformed by His Spirit and made clean from the stains of sin and past brokenness.<br />
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God does not need anything from humankind. He is God. And yet, He has chosen to make His dwelling place, not just in some distant heaven, but here on earth within the hearts of His people. He does this to reveal Himself to His people, and to show the amazing love He has for us. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-80591473342650244162017-01-17T14:10:00.000-08:002017-01-17T14:10:03.454-08:00Don't Waste Your FearArticle: Don’t Waste Your Fear<br />
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In my last article I shared with you some experiences that King David and the Apostle Paul had in dealing with fear and frustration. Today I would like to continue the theme and encourage you not to waste your fear. “Waste my fear? I don’t even want to be afraid in the first place…how can I waste fear?”<br />
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First let me acknowledge the physical and emotional reality of fear. Fear is a natural emotional response that human beings have toward a perceived threat. It sharpens our minds and quickens our bodies to either fight the threat or flee from it. However, overwhelming fear can also paralyze a person by causing them to retreat and emotionally implode.<br />
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You may have noticed in the Bible that it says many times, “Do not be afraid”. In fact, that phrase shows up 33 times in the New Testament alone. God isn’t being unreasonable when he tells us not to do something that seems to come so naturally, I believe he tells us not to be afraid for a reason…it’s because He is God, He cares for us, and He is there for us. In other words, we shouldn’t dwell in fear, but rather use it as an opportunity to draw closer to Him. Fear can lead us away from trusting in God when we let it take over and consume our thinking, but it can also drive us in a positive direction toward God when we ask Him for help amidst our dark times.<br />
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I would like you to consider the following ways in which fear might drive us to a closer relationship to God:<br />
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1. Fear humbles us and drives us to our knees in prayer. It takes humility to admit that our situations are above our heads and we need help from the Lord. When we cry out to Him, He hears our prayer and is faithful to answer. Psalm 34:15 says, "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.” It has been said that there is no higher place than to be on your knees before the throne of God in prayer.<br /><br />
2. Fear drives us toward fellowship with friends, family and other believers as we search for answers and help in our distress. Hebrews 10:24-25 shows us a great example: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We network together as a family in order to encourage, instruct and keep one another going.<br /><br />
3. Fear drives us toward the Word of God. Such sweet words of wisdom and courage can be found in the Bible. Millions turn to its pages every day for guidance, reassurance and blessing. Finding God in the pages of His word tells us that He has not let us go, and that He cares for us.<br />
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Even though difficult times seem to tear us down and bring darkness to an otherwise beautiful life, God stands ready to hear and respond to the cry of our hearts. Don’t waste your fear, allow it to drive you closer to the Lord and to those who love you. Let it bring you to a greater dependence and trust in who God is and what He has done for us.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-42261939893307372282017-01-10T09:36:00.000-08:002017-01-10T09:36:02.400-08:00Firm FoundationArticle: Firm Foundation<br />
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“Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God…” Isaiah 41:10<br />
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Fear is a silent and deadly killer. It may not bring immediate destruction to the body, but fear kills the inner man by crushing dreams, stifling happiness, and by persistently pushing the mind into a dark corner that is filled with unknowns. Fear is used as a tool of the enemy of mankind to induce us to retreat from the great adventures of life, and to take our eyes off of the God of light and peace that desires that we should find our satisfaction in Him.<br />
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Psalm 42 is a masterful song, penned by David, who had endured much at the hands of those who hated him so much that they sought to end his life. They pursued his destruction with all of their might, but David knew he could find hope in God- he knew that nothing would come against him except that which God allowed. In this psalm, its almost as if you can actually hear him pacing across the floor, on one hand expressing his angst, and on the other hand reminding himself of God’s promises. He asks himself, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul; why so disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”<br />
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When the apostle Paul was concerned with a physical ailment that plagued his life, he asked God many times to heal him and take away the weakness. Perhaps you can identify with Paul’s desire to be rid of a weakness, fear, ailment, or other issue. Hear what God said to Paul, and what He says to you and I when we struggle with our weakness, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds by saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Not only did Paul decide to hope in God like David did, he goes a step further and builds his confidence in the fact that he is weak and God is strong! Talk about turning the tables on weakness!<br />
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The hymn, “How Firm a Foundation” is a marvelous declaration of God’s provision of hope amidst the clamor and fear of our world. Verse two says this:<br />
<i>“Fear not, I am with thee- O be not dismayed, </i><br />
<i>for I am thy God, Will still give thee aid; </i><br />
<i>I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, </i><br />
<i>upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand” </i><br />
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For this reason we can hope in God, fear can be put in its place and put to its proper use. Fear, loss, confusion and trial all have a place in bringing us to our knees so that we can finally look up to the God who loves us and seeks our benefit by providing himself as our hope. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-54519396561540359822016-09-23T07:45:00.001-07:002016-09-23T07:45:21.642-07:00Fine Line<div class="p1">
I am not calling for a boycott! No I’m not calling for a boycott, nor am I decrying the “soulless" state of American big business. But I do have to tell you a story that I think illustrates a telling sign of the way our culture is gently closing its eyes to reality.</div>
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<span class="s1">I was on my way to visit someone in the hospital, and I was concerned because I didn’t know if I would ever be able to see this person again after their recovery. I wanted to leave something with them that could give them true help and comfort in their difficult season of life. So, I stopped by a “big-box” store in town and went to the book section to see if I could find a gift Bible. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I found the section I was looking for, and even found a set of shelves marked “best-sellers”. Try as I might, I was not able to find a Bible anywhere on the shelves of the store—anywhere. Finally, deciding to break manly tradition, I decided to ask for help from one of the store’s associates. “Do you have any Bibles in the store?” I asked. With a shrug, the the store’s employee told me they did not carry Bibles anymore. She cautiously informed me that they had to “watch out for that fine line…” What? What fine line?</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I am certain that she was referring to the current tensions in political and religious life in America. And I am sure that she was doubtful of her own company’s decision not to carry such a significant work of literature, but I was looking in the Best Sellers section for a book that is clearly the best selling book of all time. There is no thin line between the Bible and other books in print. The line, in fact, is quite thick!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">A December 2012 "Business Insider” article written by Jennifer Polland cites a startling statistic. She quotes writer, James Chapman, who gathered a list of the most read books based on book sales over just the past 50 years. The Bible checks in at an incredible 3.9 billion copies sold in the last 50 years, with the second best seller, “Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung” coming in at 820 million. That’s a difference of over 3 billion books! Let me put this another way: if you sold one copy of Mao’s quotations every second, it would take twenty-six years to sell 820 million books. If you sold one copy of the Bible per second, you, your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be selling Bibles for 124 years! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">There is a reason that the Bible is the most loved and well-read book in all of human history. The Bible is a book that God wrote by inspiring forty different authors from a variety of cultural backgrounds over a period of about 1,500 years. It is filled with wisdom, romance, intrigue, prophecy, instruction, and correction that still applies to us today, and all of this serves the purpose of revealing to us the God who made us and loves us! It tells a broken, sinful and hurting humanity of a God who can heal, forgive, save and empower for abundant living.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">2 Peter 1:16, 19-21 says, "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty….And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">These are powerful words for us to admire about the Bible. I pray you will find your answers in the Word of God, and that you will find hope and joy in the God of the Word!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-76794217481156609512016-09-13T11:54:00.003-07:002016-09-13T11:54:25.984-07:00Don’t Give Up<div class="p1">
“The problem with life is that it is so daily”. I first heard this common phrase from my Dad. He was impressing on me the importance of keeping a ‘big-picture’ perspective on life. It is important not to get bogged down in the daily-ness of life, or discouraged from an apparent lack of progress in what we are doing. I find myself struggling at times with this very concept, and I find it fascinating that the Bible speaks to our need to keep on going with an eternal perspective in view. </div>
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<span class="s1">Consider these words from Galatians 6:9…"<i>And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” </i>First of all, in this passage, the apostle Paul acknowledges the reality of becoming weary even at doing good things. There is a point where our best and most helpful opportunities for help and service seem to become burdensome and lose their luster. It is important that we remember we have been given these opportunities from God for a purpose that <i>He </i>has in mind. There will be a harvest “in due season” if we don’t give up or give in to the temptation to quit.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">When we feel weak or discouraged, here are some encouragements from the Bible that can help us keep going:</span></div>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1">John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” God’s strength in Christ Jesus is the power we need to live and love every day.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1">John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Our soul-thirst is quenched and renewed in Jesus.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Romans 8:37-39 “...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we feel discouraged or defeated, the truth is that any victory we have is in Jesus. </span></li>
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<span class="s1">In Christ we live and move and have our being. By His strength, His daily provision, and the encouragement we receive from the Holy Spirit, we can overcome discouragement and weariness and keep walking with the Lord!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-7307965490602243332016-09-13T11:53:00.002-07:002016-09-13T11:53:14.271-07:00You are Not AloneI want to share a brief passage from scripture from which I take great encouragement. It is from the book of Hebrews, chapter four, verses fourteen through sixteen.<br /><br />Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.<br /><br />This passage reveals two truths worth grasping, and one admonition worth following, all of which would suffice to be our spiritual life’s work for the rest of our lives if we truly understood and treasured them. The first truth is this: We do not stand on our own before God the Father, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ, God the Son. God looks upon those who are in Christ Jesus and He sees not our own goodness, but the goodness of His Son. Scriptures tell us that Jesus acts as our Advocate, like a lawyer before a judge, and He stands to tell the judge that in spite of the guilt of His client, He has already paid our fine by dying on the cross.<br /><br />The second truth is this: Jesus represents us to God the Father with an intimate understanding of our frailty. It is understandable that we get a general impression of God being powerful, mighty and distant because He is so much different than we are and He is so holy. But the Bible clearly tells us that Jesus can identify with us in the way we are tempted and afflicted because He himself faced those same trials and difficulties. I don’t know why it works this way, but there is some measure of comfort and assurance in knowing that someone else has gone through the issues we are dealing with. God comforts us by saying “I know…I’ve been there.”<br /><br />Finally, we are called to “draw near the throne of grace”. This means that we are able to draw near to God’s throne with confidence instead of terror. It means that we need never feel alone because we have a confident expectation of God’s loving care for us. In Him we can find mercy, grace, and help in time of need.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-60796817047630420752016-05-28T12:17:00.000-07:002016-05-28T12:17:01.671-07:00Finding GoldGold is one of the most commonly sought after precious metals in the history of the world. Its rarity and beauty make it a highly prized treasure, and the standard of measurement of wealth. It is diligently harvested from rivers, lakes, and mines by people who make it their life goal to “strike it rich” and find big money in the earth.<br />
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Sometimes reading and understanding the Bible is like a hunt for hidden treasure. In fact, Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings to search things out.” This might explain why it is occasionally hard to understand the Bible. We read, and though we understand the words, we sometimes don’t understand the meaning or the application to our personal lives. So, what can we do? How do we “seek things out”, and find God in His word? Here are some pointers to help you as you read your Bible:<br />
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<li><b>Read every day</b>. Sometimes understanding increases with familiarity, and developing a habit of daily reading can help you become more familiar with the rhythm and flow of scripture.</li>
<li><b>See the big picture</b>. It is possible to lose the details of what you are reading if you don’t know the context in which it was written. There are lots of different kinds of writing in the Bible. There is a specific structure to the arc of the entire story of the Bible. Knowing where in biblical history the passage you are reading is taking place may help your understanding.</li>
<li><b>Talk to the Author</b>. Scripture is inspired by God, and He is available to its readers through prayer. When you sit down to read your Bible, take time to pray and ask God to help you understand. God seems to greatly enjoy revealing Himself to those who want to know Him. </li>
<li><b>Take God at His Word</b>. Sometimes our confusion and struggle with God’s word comes not from difficult words or concepts, but rather it comes from our unwillingness to believe what it says or comply with what it teaches. This is a challenge, not of the mind, but of the heart as we are confronted with challenges to our self-will. Just remember, God is God and you are not.</li>
<li><b>Take notes</b>. Highlight significant ideas or terms. When you run into a question about a passage, write it down. Perhaps some other time you will come across the answer to your question and you will be able to go back and jot that down as well. Enjoy the glimpses of truth you find as you explore God’s word. </li>
<li><b>Share with a friend</b>. It is always a good idea to pursue knowing God in community with others. Share the blessing!</li>
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So why would it be the glory of God to conceal a matter in the first place? Think of it as God’s way of drawing us in to an adventure that will ultimately reveal to us something about Him. Seeking God in His word is how we get to know what kind of a God He really is, and how we might see His blessing in our lives. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-86503965153769440342016-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:002016-05-26T12:15:06.915-07:00In Times Like TheseI have a fond memory of something we used to do in church when I was growing up. Every once-in-a-while, we would have a simple “hymn-sing” Sunday. Our pastor or music leader would stand up and lead us through favorite hymns that people would call out from the congregation. A lot of good singing, heads nodding ‘yes’, smiles, and the occasional tear of joy would be seen across the congregation as we sang of the promises of God, and His love for us.<br />
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On one occasion, when I must have been very young, a similar singalong was called for at the beginning of a midweek Bible study. The pastor called out, “Are there any requests?”. Wanting to get in on the action in youthful zeal, I opened the hymnal and called out the first song number I saw. The pastor chuckled when he saw the title, and then let the rest of us know that he was not familiar with that song, but we might as well try to sing it anyway! The song began like this:<br />
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In times like these you need a Savior<br />
In times like these you need an anchor;<br />
Be very sure, be very sure<br />
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!<br />
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This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;<br />
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!<br />
Be very sure, be very sure<br />
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!<br />
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I distantly remember Pastor looking over at me and smiling and saying something like, “We’ll have to remember that one…”. I still do remember that song. It was a bit of a surprise to us all that night, but it became one of those musical seeds that sits in the back of your mind, only coming to fruition just when it is needed.<br />
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In times like these, we do need Someone to rescue us from the political, social and spiritual struggle we face. His name is Jesus. In times like these, we do need an anchor to help us hold to unfailing, timeless truths, upon which we can build our lives. That anchor is God’s word. In Psalm 103 we read these words:<br />
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Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,<br />
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,<br />
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,<br />
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.<br />
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Never forget where your salvation lies. It is not in the promises of a political candidate, nor is it in the musings of a poet. It is not in legislation, experimentation, or exploration. The elusive fix for the spiritual woes of the world is not so far off, unseen and unheard, it is found in Jesus Christ, it is right here among us! Be very sure your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-65042697644911419012016-05-24T12:14:00.000-07:002016-05-24T12:14:04.772-07:00Job Questions GodIf you had the opportunity to ask God a question, what would it be? I am willing to guess you have a question or two you would like to ask, but when God is not immediately present, and we can’t see Him face to face, it is hard to formulate the question and feel like you are getting an answer straight from Him. You are in good company, the Biblical character Job thought the same thing.<br />
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If you aren’t familiar with the story of Job, you should know that throughout the entire book, Job endures some intense suffering and loss. This is due to the fact that Satan is afflicting Job, effectively ripping away every earthly blessing God had given him. Job’s cattle, crops, family, and social reputation were all decimated by these trials. <br />
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For the first five chapters in his book, Job holds true under all of the persecution he is enduring. He worships God in spite of His loss. He honors God in spite of his wife’s despairing call to “curse God and die”. In Job chapter 6, he begins to ask questions, wondering how he can possibly endure all that is going on. After all, he says, he does not have the strength of stones and he is made of flesh, not bronze.<br />
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I am sure that Job had many questions for God, but he did his best to hold true and honor God through it all. Job’s friends weighed in to share what they thought his problem was. Despite his friends uninformed counsel, Job continued to assert that he was righteous before God and had no need to apologize. <br />
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In chapter 38, God finally breaks His silence to Job, and surprises him with a series of questions His own. For the next four chapters, God asks a series of more than sixty questions like, “Where were you when I formed the mountains”. In asking these questions, God does not appear to give any kind of answer to Job’s questions at all. God’s questions put Job in a place of humility before His almighty power and wisdom. Woven into His questions are scientific, philosophical, and theological truths, so profound Job finally replies in chapter 42 verses three and five:<br />
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“…Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know…I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you…therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”<br />
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I wonder, if you could ask God any question in the world, what would it be? Would you ask Him why, or how He had done something in your life; perhaps ‘why not’ would pass through your mind. More importantly, I wonder what question do you think God would have for you? Were you there when He formed the mountains or measured out the depth of the sea? Do you direct the creatures of the earth on how to live and where they will find food? Can you truly control anything about anything in life?<br />
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God is glorious and worthy of being praised in the best of times and the worst of times. We would be wise to learn from Job and simply stand in awe of God, and worship Him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-81372185955532700602016-05-22T12:13:00.001-07:002016-05-22T12:13:09.288-07:00Fish BaitThe guys are getting their boats ready again, and talk of finding that great fishing spot on the lake is firing up! I have a couple of friends that absolutely get each other rolling on talk of getting out to Devil’s Lake to find some walleye. It’s fun going with them and learning various setups and the bait or lures necessary to catch the big fish. <br /><br />On one occasion, I walked into a bait shop and was dazzled by all of the lures and their packaging; spinners, spoons, live bait, hooks, beads, buzz bait, crank bait, and more! I chuckled to myself, thinking "I’ll bet they catch more fishermen than they do fish with all of this!” There are some pretty ingenious lures that have been concocted, but out of the great variety there are some common traits about the bait…<br /><br />A fishing lure is designed to trick the fish by a variety of methods. Some lures are shiny to attract attention, others feature life-like movements, while others are made to exploit a fish’s watery sense of smell. Lures imitate the “real thing” but they have a nasty bite. They are equipped with hooks that bite into the flesh of their unsuspecting victim with a hold that will not let go. That which appeared to be a tasty treat becomes a means to their capture and eventual death. <br /><br />The book of 1 John warns of worldly lures that seek to grab our attention by imitating the real thing. In chapter two, verses 16 and 17, the Apostle John writes, “For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” A worldly system of philosophy and endeavor finds it necessary to replace the reality of God’s glory and worthiness with a lure of its own making. These lures are also known as temptation.<br /><br />We are daily tempted to pursue the "desires of the flesh"- those things that claim to satisfy our search for physical pleasure. We are daily drawn by the "desires of the eyes”- the constant search for bigger, better, faster, more… and social media, television, radio and advertising call out to tell us that the elusive mother lode is just around the corner. We regularly face temptation from “pride in possessions”- which is a very subtle self-satisfaction we derive when we place our confidence in the things we own. <br /><br />All of these lures come with a significant hook. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the ends thereof is death”. Things that are temporary cannot satisfy eternally. Things that are corrupt in nature cannot please our holy Creator. Our hope, the “real thing” that will eternally satisfy our souls, can be found in the God who gives us every good thing as a gift. Author and pastor, John Piper, is famously quoted as saying, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”<br /><br />Victory over temptation comes when we value and cherish God, and everything He is, more than the imitations that beckon us to distraction, destruction and death. Drugs, alcohol abuse, illicit relationships, gambling, acquisitions, bank accounts, and the rest will never be able to eternally satisfy. But, by God’s grace and by the power of His Spirit, we can overcome the false hope of temptation, and pursue the reality of new life in Christ. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-51265505336844119202015-11-24T10:56:00.000-08:002015-11-24T10:56:00.638-08:00In Everything, Give Thanks...<div class="p1">
<i>"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him</i>.” Colossians 3:16-17 ESV</div>
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<span class="s1">A couple of years ago, I went on a missions trip to Haiti with several people from Northwood Community Bible Church, as well as people from other churches in different parts of the country. Many of us were making the trip for the first time, while others were on their second or third return visit to the island. Across the entire group, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">As we arrived in Port au Prince and made our way out of the airport into the bustling streets, the sights, sounds, smells, and warmth of the tropical environment hit us in stark contrast to the cold winter snows we left behind. Haiti is at once a place of great beauty and devastation. The survivors of the major earthquake that struck the island several years ago have found ways to live and make the best of it, though they live amongst peril and deprivation. In many cases, the adaptations they have employed are simple, pragmatic ingenuity.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the market place, I saw women who were selling food graters made from repurposed license plates. I saw necklaces made from plastic bottles that were cut into strips, rolled up and melted over a fire to form beads. Another man worked with long boards that he was milling with a hand saw. Everywhere people were using what they had available to them to make the best of a difficult situation. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And that’s when it hit me. I thought about the many resources around me that might otherwise be considered junk, but now seemed to take on a new perspective. I was filled with an appreciation for things that I had previously overlooked. I know that God has blessed me in so many ways, and I am thankful for that, but when I consider how even the things we throw away would be considered treasure by so much of the world, it blows me away. I think it is this kind of realization that makes Colossians 3:17 a realistic instruction, “…do <i>everything </i>in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” </span></div>
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<span class="s1">This Thanksgiving, you will have an opportunity to sit back and take a look at all of the blessings God has given to you, and give Him a sincere offering of gratitude. Instead of looking at the blessings of others, or giving in to the temptation to grumble about the things you lack, make it your goal to give thanks to the God who has given you every blessing you currently enjoy. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">“...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things”… and give thanks.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-47124531032908702372015-11-17T10:49:00.000-08:002015-11-17T10:49:00.163-08:00Whatsoever is True...<div class="p1">
“<i>…whatsoever is true…” Philippians 4:8</i></div>
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<span class="s1">“What is truth?” Do you remember which famous Bible character asked this question? Here is a clue, his question arose while he was interrogating the most famous man in history. If you guessed Pontius Pilate, you were right. Pilate shot off this question in an almost sarcastic manner, after Jesus made a peculiar claim.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">When Pilate asked Jesus if He was really a king, Jesus responded by saying that He was indeed a king, and He went on to describe the essence of His purpose in coming to earth. He said</span><span class="s2">,</span><span class="s1"> "<i>You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.</i>” Pilate seems to dodge this claim by doubting the very definition of truth, but his dodge is not successful. Jesus’ assertion that He is truth, and that everyone of the truth hears Him, remains strong to this day.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Truth seems hard to come by these days. Between advertising and political campaigns, false information and conspiracy theories, it is a great challenge to get our hands on something that we can rest assured is true. This is no more prevalent in today’s American society than in the area of morality. More and more, people seem to seek to define for themselves what is moral, and what is not. Ultimately, these moral systems only work when they are in line with God’s declared morality, and when they oppose God they utterly fail. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Christian author and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, speaks on the matter of understanding truth in a culture that has exchanged its value for propositional statements (truth claims) for a new priority on images and icons. That is to say, we have moved from believing in over-arching truth, and replaced it with entertaining images. He quotes poet William Blake, saying, "This life's dim windows of the soul distorts the heavens from pole to pole, and leads you to believe a lie when you see with, <i>not through</i>, the eye.” [emphasis added].</span></div>
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<span class="s1">What a powerful statement! You and I are souls that look through the windows of the eyes, not merely eyes with no soul! In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul’s first admonition to us is to find "whatsoever things are true”, and when we find them, think on these things. God has been very gracious in showing us His truth in His word, the Bible, and He has been supremely gracious in showing us what truth looks like by taking on human flesh and dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. And that, my friends, is a grand truth to think about.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10025463344287427968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8977434887940483694.post-16499686336198361442015-11-10T09:19:00.000-08:002015-11-12T10:49:16.881-08:00Your Dwelling Place<div class="p1">
Where do you dwell? I know you probably have an apartment or a house or some other accommodations where you sleep and spend time on the weekends, but the question is, "where do you dwell?”. That is to say, where do you spend the majority of your time during the day (or night)? Do you work in an office, a classroom, behind the counter in a bank or in the cab of a truck or tractor? Where do you spend your time? Wherever it is, you most likely have made your mark on that corner of the world, making it your own. </div>
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<span class="s1">We outfit our homes with furnishings and decor, our offices with pictures of friends and family, the truck cab might even have an air freshener and favorite set of radio stations. Wherever we dwell, we tend to invest ourselves and make that space our own, giving it that touch that reflects our individuality. We allow ourselves to interact with our surroundings in a personal way. In the same way, the Bible tells us to be careful of the “spaces” in which we allow our minds to dwell. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” It is important to be mindful not only of the things we allow our mind to think about, but where we <i>dwell</i> mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Can you imagine what it would be like to allow yourself to dwell on the opposites of this list? Try it on for size- just for a moment:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">…<i>whatever is false, whatever is undignified, whatever is wrong, whatever is defiled, whatever is grotesque, whatever is repulsive, if anything is poor quality or worthy of derision, think about such things…</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Wow! What a list, and what a thought life that would be! The unfortunate reality is that there are many who do exactly that, at least in part. They spend their time with their heads filled with things that are not real, not lovely, not pure, not admirable. Media, advertising, 24-hour news stations and popular culture tend to be overrun with these qualities. Social media, and idle conversation promote and further these qualities until they seem to overshadow the existence of truth and beauty.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Just think about how dwelling in such places must interact with our deepest selves at the most intimate levels. How much needless grief and trouble do we bring on ourselves by not keeping a hand on the reins of our thought life? An old hymn expresses this thought in this way, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">God’s call is to rein in the mind by filtering our thoughts through constraints that reflect His character. God is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise! The God that created us and daily provides every good thing for us, calls us to acknowledge Him, even in the way we manage our thought life. So, what is beautiful about your life today? Do you dwell on that beauty, or do you lean toward the brokenness of life? Is God beautiful to you, and are you directing your thoughts toward Him? Perhaps your first try at it could be a prayer to ask God to help you “think on these things”.</span></div>
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