tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27752639657284153652024-02-21T01:54:09.950+05:30Ministry of Reconciliation''2 Corinthians 5:18,19
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ...''Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-18535503878076872362010-03-25T17:51:00.022+05:302010-03-26T21:37:55.538+05:30Sabbath - The Day Holy To The Lord<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Sabbath'' in the Old covenant:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Leviticus 23: 3 There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From this Scripture we understand that:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. God permitted us to work only six days in a week.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Seventh day is not meant for working.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. In whichever places God has placed us / given us to live, we are commanded to honor the Sabbath. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From this Scripture we also understand that: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. God did not forbid us from doing ''good'' on the Sabbath day.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. He said, ''do not do any work on the seventh day as we do on the remaining six days.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. 'Work' here implies, producing material gain from the land. Or in simpler terms,</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">making money / profits, that we do on regular six days, where we put some load into the day, to make the day and the land yield some produce. </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, having understood this, let's read about the ''Sabbath'' in the New covenant:</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Luke 6:5 The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath. ''<br /><br />'' Luke 6 : 9 Then Jesus said to them, '' I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it? ''<br /><br />'' Mark 2: 27 Then he said to them, 'The Sabbath is made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.' ''<br /><br />'' Matthew 12: 11, 12 He said to them, '' If any one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out ? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. ''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we read in these Scriptures in the new covenant, we understand clearly that:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Jesus only </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">clarified, that</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''doing good on the Sabbath is lawful.''</span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Jesus here, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">by no means</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said, ''we can work on the Sabbath day.'' </span></span></span></b></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />3. So, Jesus in no way nullified the command of the Sabbath as given in Leviticus in the old testament. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We can therefore summarize as:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. In the new covenant, Jesus only defined the Sabbath.<br /><br />2. Jesus affirmed and confirmed that He is the Lord of the Sabbath.<br /><br />3. He being very God, was ''doing good'' to help others: 'Healing people' and 'Eating' - these activities do not put any load into the day, or any toil into the land to make it yield some produce, but they are a 'help.' </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So -</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not a smallest letter, not a least stroke of the pen in the Law (concerning Sabbath) has been abolished.</span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We, who are in the new covenant, ought to honor God by keeping the day of the Sabbath holy and not putting any toil into the Sabbath day to make it give any produce.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And we can most certainly ''help'' our fellow brothers, if they need any - on the Sabbath day.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Helping fellow brothers is not equal to performing in a job / putting in effort or toil that brings in material profits.<br /><br />Helping others do not put load into the land or the day, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">so the 'land' and the 'day' still have their rest.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Sabbath is a sign between God and us, that God made us holy, and when we rest on this day as commanded, we honor God holy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ezekiel 20: 12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy. '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The following Scripture helps us to understand further on the word ''Sabbath'':</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Leviticus 25: 1 - 5<br />When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year that land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows for itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. ''<br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, these are the promises God has for us if we keep the command, and honor the Sabbath holy and give rest to ourselves, and to the land and to the Sabbath day:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Jeremiah 17: 21, 22 Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. ''<br /><br /><br />'' Jeremiah 17: 24, 25 But if you are careful to obey me, declares the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gate of this city with their officials. ''<br /><br /><br />'' Isaiah 58 :13 - 14 If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LORD's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">going</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the LORD has spoken. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ecclesiastes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 8:5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm. '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, Jesus came to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fulfill</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the law, and not to abolish the law: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Matthew 5:17-19<br />Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<br />Anyone who breaks one of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us humbly and diligently uphold the Law of God, by keeping the sound instruction and command of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and serve God in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 7:6 </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 13:8,9 </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the Law.<br />''Do not commit adultery,'' ''Do not murder,'' '' Do not steal,'' ''Do not covet,'' and whatever other commandment there may be are summed up in this one rule: ''Love your neighbor as yourself.'' Love does no harm to his neighbor. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore Love is the fulfillment of the Law.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 John 5:3</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is Love for God: to obey his commands.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div></span></span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless you.</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-44193616430177573002010-01-27T18:00:00.019+05:302010-03-26T19:27:12.302+05:30Law Is Only Fulfilled - Not Abolished<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, most of the people think that ''not coming under the Law'' means Law is nullified.<br /><br />But dear people, through Christ, the Law is only fulfilled and not abolished.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The righteous requirements of the Law are only met in us through Jesus Christ, but it is nowhere nullified.<br /><br /><br />Here are some scriptures that will help us understand how Law is only </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fulfilled</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in love and thereby how we are controlled by the Spirit, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">only to fulfil the requirements of the Law:</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 5:17-19 </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<br />Anyone who breaks one of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 7:6</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 8:3,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit.</span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-weight: normal; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 3: 28 -31</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 13:8,9</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the Law.<br />''Do not commit adultery,'' ''Do not murder,'' '' Do not steal,'' ''Do not covet,'' and whatever other commandment there may be are summed up in this one rule: ''Love your neighbor as yourself.'' Love does no harm to his neighbor. </span></span></span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore Love is the fulfillment of the Law.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 John 5:3</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is Love for God: to obey his commands.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />May the grace of God abound us in keeping His commands so that the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in us, through His Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-63848680634511577622010-01-22T20:29:00.009+05:302010-01-27T23:43:28.335+05:30On The Way To The Promise - Path And Direction[2 of 2]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Exodus 13:17, 18 When Pharaoh let the people go,God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country , though that was shorter. For God said, ''if they face war they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'' So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, this scripture speaks of God's unfailing love towards His people.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God didn't want His people to be afraid on the way, by facing war from the Philistines, and therefore God led them </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">through</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> a longer route, through a desert, toward the Red Sea.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />My dear people, if things are not happening according to how you have presumed them to happen, then do not doubt God's promise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because this would be for your own good. Most of us draw a blue print to ourselves the moment we receive a promise from God. This is not a right thing to do.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For He alone knows the plans He has for us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 29 :11 -14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to therefore take His </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">counsel</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> at every step.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God gives us a promise, He has a very high plan and strategy behind, and He alone knows the path to that goal. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, never presume things to happen in the way you want them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our dear Israelites, when they received the signal from </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pharaoh</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to leave, they presumed they would go via the Philistine country to the promised lad as that was the short cut. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's look at the second half of verse 18:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Exodus 13:18 The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They presumed for themselves that they are going to face </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Philistines</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, they will fight with them, win over them and go to the promised land. They have sketched out the design by themselves.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But did God lead them via the Philistine country?<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Exodus 14:1, 2 Then the Lord said to Moses, ''Tell the Israelites to </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">turn back </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and encamp near Pi </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hahiroth</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, between </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Migdol</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Zephron</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. ''<br /><br /></span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God actually turned them back.</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Most of us might find ourselves back in the state where it all began, when we are on our way to our promise.<br />And we wonder why things are turning in this pattern that mostly looks like everything is over, and now you are back in your original state..and perhaps God has left your hand, or if you have done some grave sin without knowing that God is abandoning you in between... </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is what the devil will make you think, if you do not keep yourself in the word, during your journey to the promise..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, He who promised is faithful. Do not doubt His words basing on your circumstances.<br />The words of God are flawless, once spoken will not come back to Him void. So never doubt His presence or His </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">faithfulness</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, if things seem like they have come to the beginning...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />God will, at times turn you back, and put you on a route that could seem like a desert and might appear pretty long.. but do you know why God does this? Not to frighten you or harm you..<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Exodus 14:3, 4 </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pharaoh</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> will think the </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Israelites</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and he will pursue them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BUT I WILL GAIN GLORY FOR MYSELF through Pharaoh and all his army and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God turned the Israelites toward the Red Sea, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">so that He can glorify Himself</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> through the Pharaoh. And so that the Egyptians will know that the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord is God.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God has a very higher purpose which you may not comprehend when the instruction is given to you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But you need to just stick to the instruction, even if it seems to your human understanding that it may not help you or it seems hopeless to you, or even if it scares you as you have to encounter your enemies whom you have been trying to keep yourself away from, or if you have to face people who have harmed you .. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remember Our God is a BIG GOD..bigger than any enemy that might come your way.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And is able to prepare a table in the presence of your enemies.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All you need to do is take HIS counsel at every step and abide by what He tells you to do,</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> with no questions.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He will make </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">highways </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> appear for you along that route, once you humbly choose to follow His instruction.<br />HE made a way in the midst of those deep, scary waters, which no one expected -</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not even Moses. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Moses didn't know before hand that God will break the sea. God did not reveal this at the burning bush itself. Did He?<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Moses had taken His counsel and direction step by step, and obediently carried out His instructions.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Like He gave Moses for His people to let them know HIS direction, God has given us His word.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Turn to the word of God every moment and take His counsel as how you need to make your next move. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's only then you can see His plans manifesting in your lives.<br /><br />If you presume and prepare yourselves according to what you see and feel on the outside, taking for granted that God has promised to give you a specific thing, so you will surely have it anyhow, and then if you go ahead in the way that seems appropriate for you, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">then you will never be able to receive your promise. </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we have read in the first part of the message,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On The Way To The Promise - </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rema</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> word''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, direction can be known only through HIS word, by knowing the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rema</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Word -- and not by our human wisdom, feelings or emotions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Sometimes, it might also happen that if you try to rely on your prophets or pastors, instead of the Word of God, for knowing the direction for the promise that God has given you personally, it will not be a </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fruitful</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> one.<br /><br />I am speaking this out of my own experience, where, when I turned to a person who has been praying for me to know the direction, I ended up in a confusion, because what God was telling me and what this person was ''feeling'' always contradicted and this person forced me to act basing on what she felt. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, if what the Word of God tells you, doesn't match with the feelings and visions and dreams of the prophets you are relying on, then </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">you need to follow just the Word.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br />If you get confused and act on what these prophets tell you, even if the Word of God is telling you something else - then what these prophets have told you will HAPPEN TO YOU, leaving you hurt and injured.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God's word is a double edged sword. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you let it fall for something else, it will fall on your own feet and hurt you alone and not those prophets.<br /><br />Lets read these scriptures which tell us about this:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Isiah 28:7 Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer; they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Such prophets who try to advise will not have their base from the word, but out of their own instincts they try to give guidance, and they won't be sure of what they say, but stumble when they give their decisions.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not act on such advices.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets read</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> '' Isaiah 28:10 - 13</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Do and do , do and do,<br />rule on rule, rule on rule;<br />A little here, a little there.<br />Very well then with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people to whom HE said 'This is the resting place, let the weary rest' ; this is the place of repose, but they would not listen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So then the word of the Lord to them will become :<br />Do and do, do and do,<br />rule on rule, rule on rule,<br />a little here a little there'' -- so that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured. '' ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">( In Hebrew </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do and do, do and do, rule on rule</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, rule on rule ''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> means, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9966;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''sav lasav sav lasav kav lakav kav lakav ''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> = Possibly meaningless sounds, perhaps a mimicking of the prophet's words - this means, the words they speak are not real, but just mimick as if its a prophesy.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />This scripture tells us that if we listen to such prophets and priests and act on such words, keeping aside what God has told us, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">then</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God will make those words of the prophets come true in our lives.</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />It is very sensitive dear people, because what ever good work the Lord has been doing and has planned, we will be messing it up when we act on such meaningless words of such prophets.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you blame those prophets, or if you justify yourself stating you have done in confusion, it doesn't help. Word is a Sword. We will bear the consequences that only leave us </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">falling backwards, injured and snared and captured.</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />So, be careful not to act on directions given by prophets, which are not based on the Word. Do not entertain such people in your lives. Stay away from them - because of them God's wrath will come upon you for listening to them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you have done anything like this, the moment the Holy Spirit convicts you of this, kneel down and cry out to God to forgive you. </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God is able to undo the mess you have done.</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Train yourself in the word thoroughly to be able to hear the voice of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since it is you who recieved the promise, you alone will be able to to understand the direction, when you meditate on the word of God. Get the rema word to understand what actions you need to take, in order to allow Gods plans to manifest and to know the path God wants you to take.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God was taking them to the promised land, and led the Israelites via the Red Sea, He had actually destroyed all the enemies who enslaved His people, and He brought glory to Himself.<br /><br />The path that God wants us to take, will always aim towards accomplishing not just what is promised to us, but also to GAIN GLORY TO HIS NAME.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our destiny and God's purposes need to match.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our destiny cannot be outside of God's purpose.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And we cannot have anything just for ourselves without glorifying God's Name.<br /><br /><br />When the Israelites got the signal to leave Egypt, they wanted to, at once jump into action according to their presumptions and got themselves ready for facing a war.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Exodus 13:18 They went out of Egypt armed for battle.'' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But did they face any war ? </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Instead, they faced a dead end - the sea.</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, its not by our might or power, by His Spirit, sayeth the Lord.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So understand the mysteries involved in the plans of God...and don't presume according to your situations. The one who is leading you is the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">MOST HIGH!</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His plans and thoughts are MUCH HIGHER than ours.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On the way, in your journey, if you need to starve, or end up in zero finances, or end up losing your own people whom you expected might help you..or any situation that might create a negative impression on your mind towards God's Presence with you, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">please do not lose your confidence.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These are only tests. Trust Him totally and praise Him that His grace is sufficent for you, and the one who promised is faithful and He will never leave you nor forsake you.<br /><br />If the Israelites were not thirsty and faced that rock in the desert, they couldn't have seen His glory that made rivers flow out of that rock.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you see such rocky situations, turn to HIM in faith, but do not grumble. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For the direction and the path you are on, is what God has chosen for you and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His Name is </span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jehovah-Jireh</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></i></b></span></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He provides.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remember what Jesus said when the devil tempted Him ? - '' Man does not live by bread ALONE.''<br /><br />So apply the word in your situations, and live according to the word. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God knows our needs, and HE cares !! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But we must endure hardships and tests if we need to see His glory in our lives. If you grumble all we will end up is in His wrath and we will never be able to make it to the goal.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people, press toward the goal, praising Him, and taking His counsel at every step, knowing your Saviour closely..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the more close you get to Him, the more humble you need to walk before Him..and as you successfully progress, you will realize that it is not you, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">it's Christ (Word) who lives in you, that is taking you ahead..</span></span></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We can do all things,</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> only by Him!</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To Him be Glory and Honor and Power, from everlasting to everlasting!</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-28733806417754707542010-01-22T19:13:00.005+05:302010-07-03T18:30:30.930+05:30On The Way To The Promise - Rhema Word [1 of 2]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God has given us His promises, to assure us of His unconditional love for us.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These promises wil not manifest by themselves, automatically.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to work together with God, partaking in His divine nature.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God promises something, there is a very higher purpose than just what the promise is about.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Lets say for example, if God promises that there will be a netbreaking increase in the times of famine, God's purpose here is just not to increase us exceedingly but there will be much higher plans instored behind this promise, and these purposes and plans can be known only by walking closely with Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These can be understood by meditating on His word, step by step applying His instruction and His word in all our situations, and keeping ourselves holy, trusting that the One who promised will DO what He said.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Situations might not seem favorable, but dear ones we need to just focus on the WORD given to us, and constantly seeking His direction, we ought to pray watchfully and submit all our actions to Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maintaining a holy life is very crucial in this process, for God cannot operate if there is sin prevalent in our lives.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />This holiness will make a way for a clear communication with God. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When I say holiness, we need to practice it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It doesn't come all at once.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need the help of the Holy Spirit, and with persistent efforts we need to maintain a divine nature.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This means, we should have clean thoughts, clean speech, clean habits, clean intentions and motives, regular worship and spending most of the time with God, following all His commands without any compromise even if it costs anything.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This will eventually result in the Transformation of your mind.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Your mind gets renewed eventually with such a practise of the Word of God. And you will then know what it is to 'Delight in the Lord.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For every situation that arises, apply the instruction of God and handle with the word of God ... your mind should be filled up only with the verses from the Word, to tackle any circumstance around you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the initial days, while you are still getting absorbed into the word, do not act on your mere instincts, presuming it could be God's voice. Give it good time, the more you get planted in the word, the more confident you will become to make out and understand the voice inside you is from your human spirit or if it is divine.<br /><br />If there is any shadow of doubt, turn to the word and ask God to speak through the Word.<br /><br />In order for us to know the direction during the process of receiving a promise, what we need is the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'Rhema word.'</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Holy spirit leads us to the Scripture that is analogous to our situation, and will impress upon us the 'word' which will make us understand the direction we ought to take, in those circumstances in order to reach to the promise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This word will tell us the path God has arranged for us inside our circumstances, and how God is going to take us to the promise via this route, and what is that we must look forward to, in our situations.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Word that helps us to understand on what our focus must be while heading towards our goal / promise, is called the Rhema Word.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For example, in my life when God has given a me a promise, and I was almost at the verge of receiving it, to my surprise, I encountered a test.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, before God grants the promise there will be acid test and this test will TAKE AWAY the promise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But we NEED TO HOLD ON TO THE WORD and be ready to give up the promise, trusting HE is able to bring it back to life - Just like He asked Isaac, and Abraham was obedient and was ready to sacrifice - If we get confused and try to grab or hold on to the situation without letting it go when God wants it, dear people, it will end up in us losing the promise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I was saying my example, when I saw the promise, I presumed to myself that next step in my life is, I am going to have it. I was not ready even in my dreams for any kind of test. And situations suddenly turned in a manner that I must leave everything there and go to a different place. And I tried to hold on and tried to go ahead of God and get that promise myself - but sadly I only was hurt as I was not successful in any manner.<br /><br />Then the Lord led me to realize that it the time for a test and helped me to humble myslef.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And as I waited on the Lord, Lord showed me a scripture in Joshua, where when God was leading them to the promised land, they face the river Jordan. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when they placed this Ark of God on the river, the river breaks up and brings the land out. And the Israelites cross the river by walking on that land.<br /><br />When I read this Scripture, the rhema word given to me was ''hidden oppurtunities'' : </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Scripture is analogous to my situation, here is the revelation given to me -<br />Ark of God means Word of GOD. In those days Ark represents symbol of the covenant, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and now for us the symbol of the New covenant is JESUS and who is JESUS? Living Word.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">( This means, the Word given to me, that is God's promise to me.)<br /><br /><br />So I need to place the word given to me on my situation, as those people placed the ARK on their situation, which was river.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Land hidden inside the waters coming out of river jordan, means, opportunity to cross the river was hidden inside the river - which means deep inside my situations, oppurtunities to cross and get closer to my promise are hidden - therefore the rhema word for me was '' Hidden Opportunities.''<br /><br />By positioning the WORD given to me on those situations will bring out the HIDDEN OPPURTUNITIES for me to reach my promise.<br /><br />This is how we need to get the rhema word, by meditating on the Scriptures, and take HIS instructions.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(I explained the above to make known what is a rhema word and how to get the same.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />As we keep pressing towards the goal, God will reveal many many beautiful revelations about Him, and also gives heavenly encounters according to HIS plans, and we grow stronger in Him.<br /><br />It was during these situations that God has given me the grace to have a glimpse of HIS Tabernacle (in an open vision).<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So dear people, do not worry if it is taking a long time to recieve the promise from God, we need to first do the will of God, obediently and persevere all that He allows and hold on and keep pressing towards the goal, professing confidently what we are believing in. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For the One who promised is faithful.</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Well, as we progress, keeping His instructions and giving ourselves totally to His power and will, we will see a new being coming out of us - a new person, being created as our mind gets renewed and this is what God aims at, as this will contribute towards being transformed into HIS likeness in Jesus.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We will be found in Him, and we will get a new identity in JESUS, and our external circumstances will NOT have any influence on what we are and our life will be totally controlled by our Lord. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We will then see what it is like living in the Kingdom of God, though we live on the earth.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Life becomes beautiful, walking with Jesus.<br /><br />Dear ones, receiving promises of God is a lengthy, time consuming, yet beautiful process.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not be deceived when anyone tells you to sow money and you will reap the promise. No.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You will never be able to see what God has planned, if we follow such senseless advices.<br /><br />Get closer to your Maker, and develop a personal intimate relationship with HIM, allow HIM to work out HIS will, at the cost of anything, for the word says who ever loses home, parents, or brothers or sisters for the sake of the Word, will receive them all.<br /><br />May God grant us strength, and His divine guidance and help us to press toward the goal, persevering until we receive what has been promised.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless You.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-58212448056055410842010-01-22T17:28:00.000+05:302010-01-22T19:02:41.404+05:30Lost The Way To Return Home?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dear people of God, when we begin to walk with the Living God, the enemy sets its target on us and roams about in our neighbourhood, like a roaring lion, waiting for an oppurtunity to grab us away from God.<br /><br />Most of us, even after tasting God, have fallen away and now unable to fnd the way back home, keep wandering about, not knowing what to do, unable to handle the battle going on in their minds and lives, wrestling with the negative feelings and thoughts that the devil keeps dumping on them, they are lost in the deceptive layers of hopelessness - this is the condition of many of our dear brothers and sisters...</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lets see what our Saviour has to advise to such of us:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''Jeremiah 38 : 15 ....As surely as the Lord lives, who has given us breath .. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dear people of God, the very breath we breathe comes from God. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Devil might have ruined your entire world... </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">might have ruined your finances, taken away your people from you, might have left you homeless, taken you soo far that it seems like you are lost in some wilderness..</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">it might have destroyed your serenity leading you into wrong relations, </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">it migth have dipped you totally in the filthiness of its nature...</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yet, through your breath, you are still hooked up to your Heavenly Father.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As long as you have this breath in your lungs, realize that your Father still is keeping an eye on you !</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dear people, the breath we breathe is supplied by our Father, how then can He forget us ? </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you think you can go soo far that God cannot reach you ?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is there any valley soo deep, any mountain soooo high, any wilderness so wierd, that God's hand cannot reach you to save you and bring you back?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Every time you take in your breath, it reminds your Maker about you, because He is your source of supply of your life, my dear people in God. Will he not have a record of whom all He is supplying life ? Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered(Matt 10:30).<br /><br /><br />As along as we are breathing, dear children of God, be assured that God's protection surrounds us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even if we have messed up our lives totally, and everything is gone, He still eagerly awaits on us, to fall on our knees and come to Him and allow Him take control back so that He can direct our steps and bring us back home.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />He knows that we have gone too far, so far that our mind cannot even comprehend the intensity of darkness that we brought on ourselves..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But He longs to save us and bring us back home... </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And He left the choice in our hands...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And grants us grace that we make the right choice, because of our Saviour Jesus, who stands in between us and God, and intercedes on our behalf and every small or wildest sin we have committed, the blood of Jesus covers it up and grants us redemption.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So dear people, look upto God..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let not the enemy condemn you, let him not deceive you by showing you the circumstances around you - they surely might have gone wrong, but that is where the devil lives, that is the abode of the devil and its not meant for us, our home is elsewhere, let our Father drive us back home.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All we need to do to find our way home, is just call up home... </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Call on your Father, from wherever you are, whatever conditions the devil might have left you in, right where you are, take up the phone of 'Prayer' and ring up your Father in heaven, on your knees..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell him your conditions, cry out to him that you are afraid, and cannot stay there any more, and that you miss HIM, and want to be back to HIM, ask Him to send you help and rescue operations, and just bring you back home somehow...<br /><br />Dear people, He willl Immediately hug you back... that very instant you break out in tears, HE will send you HIS LEGIONS OF ANGELS, though you may not see them with your natural eyes..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and HE will make HIS LIGHT shine on the direction you must take to return back home...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">HE will carefully remove the thorns that got hooked up into your body due to sin, the thorns of depression, the thorns of fear, thorns of anxiety, thorns of hopelessness, thorns of dejection.. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and heals you of all the wounds with HIS Love. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But how do we see this ''Light'' ? it is HIS WORD !!<br /><br />Jesus said, I am the light to the world. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Turn to the word of God, get yourself immersed in it, ask your Father to speak to you, make you understand clearly His instructions - make this a mission, just like if you are lost in a forest, you will not relax thinking one day you will anyhow go home, will you ?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> You will put all the efforts to find a way to make it home, to find some help to come out of that forest as soon as possible.<br /><br />Similarly, take alll the precautions to protect yourselves from the wicked animals of the forest, which could be some wicked people around you, could be bad friends, bad habits, bad atmosphere, or some bad colleagues - get rid and stay away from every source that might cause you harm in the pocess of coming back to our Father's home.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just make HIS presence and HIS WORD, an INCUBATOR.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Put all efforts to stay inside it and don't come out of it, this is possible by just doing and sticking to what the Word says you to do - set your FOCUS only on the WORD-for the outside world you are only visible to them, but for you, you are not in the world - you are actually inside the </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''incubator of your Father's word.'' </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As long as you are inside it, no one can do any harm to you, they probably can only look at you but cannot even touch you anyway to cause you any harm. Because the Holy Spirit guides your steps and keeps you within the boundaries of the Word.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Get this invisible protection covering around you, and let your Maker mould you into the image He has for you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just like a baby in a mothers womb takes some time to come out fully shaped up and developed, it feeds on its protection layers of its mothers womb - similarly just be patient in the process, holding on to the word and promises of God, being assured that as along as you hold on to the word, you are in your Father's hands, and it's your Father's, who loves you, to mould you and design you, and He will surely bring you back into His freedom, and provide you with His abundant supplies and provisions, and satisfy all the desires of your heart, once He gets the person He wants out of you, </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a person made in His likeness.</span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And He will </span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">present you</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to the world as a powerful testimony for His Name and will use you as a war-club in His Hands.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Trust in Him with all your heart.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Henceforth, when you find yourself lost and the devil tries to deceive you saying, 'See its all over now, just look around once, is there anything left? Where is your God? Do you think you can live and make it?' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">then dear people, all you just need to do is, take a deep breath, and tell him, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''LOOK ! HERE IS MY GOD !!!''</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''Jeremiah 38 : 15 ....As surely as the Lord lives, who has given me breath.''</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-54740381959569610442010-01-22T17:14:00.001+05:302010-01-24T22:22:40.490+05:30Do Not Be Proud Of Being A 'god'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, I have come across some preachings where the term 'god' is used to boost up the self confidence of people, where they say '' you are 'gods,' you are no ordinary persons, you don't have to make yourself low when you go into God's presence, you are gods, so go with boldness...''<br /><br />I have no clue what the intentions of such preachers are, but all I, as a listener, felt it was not sending a right message across.<br /><br />I felt it will only harm people, than doing good, because scriptures clearly tell us that we are nobody without Jesus, and we need to imitate Chirst like humility.<br /><br />As I was praying about this, the Spirit of God showed me this following Scripture, which speaks about those hearts that get proud, thinking they are gods.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we read this, may the Spirit of God convict us, if we have been involving ourselves in any such arrogant approach, and help us to confess before the Throne of Grace.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ezekiel 28:2 -10<br /><br />'' In the pride of your heart you say, '' I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god, in the heart of the seas.''<br /><br />But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.<br /><br />Are you wiser than Daniel?<br />Is no secret hidden from you?</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.<br /><br />By your great skill in trading , you have increased in your wealth,and because of your wealth your heart has grown as proud.<br /><br />'' Therefore this is what the Lord says:<br /><br />'' 'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god,<br />I am going to bring foreigners against you,<br /><br />the most ruthless of nations, they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They will bring you down to pit and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas.<br />Will you then say, ''I am a god,'' in the presence of those who kill you?<br />You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.<br />You will die the death of the uncircumsised at the hands of foreigners.<br />I have spoken, declares the sovereign Lord.' '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />May the blood of the Lamb of God, cleanse us and heal us of all pride and arrogance, and grant us Christ's humility when we go into His Majesty's Presence.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Please read this message ''Son & son-God & god'' to understand why we are called 'gods'. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><a href="http://ceicil-ministryofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2010/01/son-son-god-god.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://ceicil-ministryofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2010/01/son-son-god-god.html</span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-58885775673150307962010-01-22T15:29:00.004+05:302010-02-01T21:41:28.338+05:30Jesus Speaking To The Fig Tree<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Mark 11 :12 -14 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Seeing in the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then he said to the tree, '' May no one ever eat fruit </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">from you again. '' </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Mark 11: 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear ones, there is a teaching in the current days about speaking to Money. </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Such teachings claim their Biblical base from the above reference where Jesus spoke to the fig tree, and cursed it when it did not yield fruit. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They say that Jesus spoke to the tree to tell us that we too should speak to the things we want.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, do not let your needs lead you to misinterpret the word of God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As the Spirit of God helps, let us understand what the Son of God is telling us through this Scripture.. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are certain things we need to notice in this Scripture:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Jesus is none but the Living Word.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Fig Tree was fruitless as it was out of season.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Jesus expected fruit despite it was out of season.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here, Jesus was hungry and wanted to eat.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When He saw this fig tree, from which He expected fruit, it was empty with no fruit because it was not the season.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear ones, if it was just about a tree and its fruit, Jesus knew it was not the season for the fruit to appear on that tree and God Himself had set seasons. So why then Jesus had to curse </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">it? The tree was right in its place. Right?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This has a more deeper revelation than just a tree bearing fruit and serving for food.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Scripture conveys us the following:<br /><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Fig Tree represents the people Jesus calls to serve HIM.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Needless to say, Jesus is the Living Word.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Hunger of Jesus (requirement of Jesus), represents the Requirement of the Word.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. Fig Tree not having any fruit when Jesus wanted it, because it wasn't the season, implies those servants who do not produce fruit keeping in with the requirement of the Word, and give away into external unfavourable situations. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5. Jesus cursing the tree, implies that whoever does not function according to the requirement of the Word of God, whether</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in season or out of season</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> will be cursed never to bear fruit again.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word. Be Prepared in season and out of season. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just because circumstances are not bright and are unfavourable, if we fail to keep the requirements of the Word, and manipulate the word of God for personal gains, those kind will be cursed, never to bear fruit again. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, dear servants of God, preach just the WORD.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not add to it calling it knowledge, for such a thing is false doctrine, which is strictly condemned by the Word of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 6:20 Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 6 : 3, 4 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. ''</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Timothy 2: 4,5 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Titus 2: 7, 8 In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. ''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the Spirit of God grant us understanding of the Word, and help us to keep the requirements of our Lord and Saviour, and hold on to His sound instruction, in season and out of season.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-26295682608922328262010-01-22T14:57:00.004+05:302010-02-02T18:10:03.457+05:30''When The Dust Was Rolled Up!''<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''John 8 :1-6 But Jesus went to Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts , where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.T hey made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, 'Teacher this woman was caught in the act of adultery.<br /><br />In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such woman. Now what do you say?'' They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.<br /><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger ... ''</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, in this Scripture, we see that a woman was caught in adultery, and when people bring her to Jesus, the first thing Jesus did was to bend down and start writing on the ground...<br /><br />This act of Jesus, if we think from human perspective, seems quite peculiar, and people around must have surely wondered, as why He is writing on the ground when they were talking to Him about what to be done to the adulterous woman.<br /><br />Though they kept on questioning Him Jesus only kept on writing on the ground, but He did not respond instantly..<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' John 8:6: In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such woman. Now what do you say?'' They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger ... '' </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Let us now quickly remind ourselves some miracles Jesus performed and observe the manner he performed those miracles:<br /><br />When Lazarus was dead, Jesus</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> calls him out </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and he comes back to life..<br /><br />When the storm rages, Jesus </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">commands it</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and it stops..<br /><br />When leprous man came along and begged him, Jesus </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">s</span></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">poke</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and leprosy left..<br /><br />When paralytic man was brought to Him, He </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">forgives </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">his sins and heals him..<br /><br />When a widow's son is dead in town Nain, Jesus </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">speaks </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and raises him from the dead..</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In all the above miracles we can see Jesus directly addressing the matter or the person affected and healing them.<br /><br />But in this case of adulterous woman, Jesus instead of talking to her, first thing He did was bending down and writing on the ground...!<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear Children of God, let us understand what the Son of God is doing here:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets turn to Genesis:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Genesis 1:26 Let us make man in OUR image, in our likeness. '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Here, 'OUR' implies Father, Son and the Spirit.<br /><br />Jesus, the Second in the Trinity, who created man, is now in flesh, and is walking on the ground - with the Father living in Him..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Now, where did God make man from?<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Genesis 2 : 7 The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the Ground.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />So, man is made from the ground.<br /><br />Now, the very Maker who made man from the ground, when it comes to addressing an adulterous </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">woman, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> now bends down and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''writes''</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> on the ground.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You know what Jesus was doing ? </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />May the Spirit of God grant grace to understand the revelation..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's just imagine ourselves sitting on a sea shore and writing on the sand ..<br />for example, lets presume we want to write our name on the sand.<br /><br />So,when we begin to write, and start moving our finger on the sand, what happens?<br /><br />Our finger actually rolls up the sand into small tiny heaps of sand grains, moulding the sand grains according to the movement of our finger....</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />And as we write all the letters that comprise our name, the sand actually takes a shape and gets moulded/designed into the letters of our name..<br /><br />And we get our name engraved in the sand. Yes?<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus did the same thing in case of this woman...</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our bodies are made from Dust( Genesis 2:7).<br /><br />And adultery defiled the body of this woman - the body which was made from the dust of the ground.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And Jesus, by writing on the dust of the ground with His finger, rolled up that scattered dust again, and shaped her up!</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''John 5:19 the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />This Scripture speaks about how God the Father, and the Son work together. And Jesus says, He only does what he sees the Father doing.<br /><br />Therefore Jesus, here was doing what He saw the Father doing.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Job 14:15 ..you will long for the creature your hands have made. '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />It is the Hands of God that made us. Yes ?<br /><br />And, Son does what He sees the Father doing(John 5:19).</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And Father lives in the Son.<br /><br />Therefore, when Jesus was rolling up the dust by writing with His own finger, He was only reflecting on what the Father was doing!<br /><br />That which the devil defiled in the woman through adultery, God designed it again.<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He rolled up the dust from which she was made and shaped her up again...</span></b></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the finger of the Maker touched the very dust from which she was made, the devil took to flight !!!! </span></b></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Her shattered body was shaped up, right in front of the eyes of those who were holding stones in their hands to throw at her...<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Hence when Jesus asked them who does not have sin, let them stone first, one by one, people started to leave that place, dropping their stones..</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Lets read the same:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' John 8:7- 11 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, '' If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. '' </span></span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.</span></b></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.<br /><br />Jesus straightend up and asked her,<br /><br />''Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''No one sir,'' she said.<br /><br />''Then neither do I condemn you,'' Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.'' ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' John 5:22 Moreover the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just they honor the Father.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#99FFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets Pray..</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father, All glory be unto you, for granting us the revelation of your works..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus how awesome they are..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord you touched the dust and the devil took to flight...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You write on the dust and the woman came to right state... Lord, who is like you...!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />As your people read this message, speak to their hearts and open up their understanding and grant them grace to believe! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let new hope arise in their hearts that, one touch from their Maker, and everything will be built up in a moment! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord, while the enemy was still watching, you shaped up the shattered, defiled body.. right before their eyes...! How marvellous your works are!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Lord , I pray for all those people whose lives are shattered by the enemy, just give them that One Touch .... and everything will be restored!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Grant them a new beginning..and a new life...even while their enemies are still watching, give them the wings of an eagle, and let them fly away into your freedom..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Jesus Mighty Holy Name I pray, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-77470730630709120572010-01-22T13:47:00.002+05:302010-02-06T16:16:10.507+05:30Revelation In Thanksgiving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 100 : 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name.''</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Psalm 35 :18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Colossians 4 : 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Colossians 3 : 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear People of God, is </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thanksgiving,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> just a verbal expression of gratitude to God?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Is it only pouring out our joy filled hearts before him because he sent his blessings?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Or is there any divine mystery in ''Thanksgiving''?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Certainly there is !</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets meditate from John 8 : 9-11 to understand the revelation, as the Spirit of God helps us:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''John 8:9 Here is a small boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? ''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''John 8: 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is a wonderful example of Thanksgiving, where Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and ''gave Thanks'' to God.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when He</span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> gave thanks,</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> he distributed it to five thousand people.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Corinthians 9:11, 12 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every ocassion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.<br />This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Apostle Paul is speaking about generosity in 2 Corinthians, he says that their ''generous'' cheerful giving results in Thanksgiving to God, through them.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we meditate on these Scriptures, we can clearly discern that just saying '' Thanks '' verbally, for what we have in hand, is not what is happening in the ''Thanksgiving'' to God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />There is surely a divine phenomenon that is involved.<br /><br />Lets now meditate on John 8: 9-11, where Jesus broke the five loaves and two fish and distributed to five thousand men:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us make a list of some points from that miracle to help ourselves understand few things :<br /><br />1. The five loaves and two fish were brought to him by a small boy.<br /><br />2. This small boy gave all that he had.<br /><br />3. This boy was actually functioning in God's Kingdom, when I say this, I mean to say this boy was '' Generous'' than anyone else. He did not think of his needs, but gave all he had, selflessly.<br /><br />4. When it fell in the hands of Jesus, Jesus '' Gave Thanks.''<br /><br />Now, it is very important for us to understand what was ''Thanks'' given for.<br /><br />Dear people, ''Thanks'' was given to God, for what Jesus wanted to do. Not for what he had.<br /><br />Because Jesus already knew how he is going to feed them.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets read the same from the Scriptures:<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''John 6:5,6 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, '' Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?'' He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. ''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, When Jesus gave thanks, this was not for what he was seeing in his hand, but what He was about to do. And that was to feed the five thousand men who were hungry.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us understand the divine phenomenon that is involved in this process:</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />When Jesus ''Gave thanks'', He actually gave thanks for the will of God, that is about to manifest from those five loaves and two fish, which were given by the small boy wilfully, out of </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">rich generosity.</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Here the spirit of the small boy was in reconciliation to the Spirit of God, through his generous heart. ( Having a generous heart comes from God's Spirit )</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And God's Spirit ( in Jesus) knows the will of God, that is, to divide them among the the five thousand.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And that is why Jesus gave thanks for this will of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />This means, when our spirit is reconciled with God's Spirit, Spirit of God will intercede on our behalf in accordance with the will of God.<br /><br />On receiving His will in our spirits, when we '' give thanks, '' God will release His will into our lives according to our belief.<br /><br />Here the little kid was generous and pure in his spirit, and the Son of God interceded according to the will of God, and when He gave thanks to what He wanted to do, i.e, to feed the five thousand, the miracle manifested.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people, we must always stay connected to God's Spirit, if our thanksgiving must yield results. And we must constantly keep stepping up with God's Spirit.<br /><br />This means, when God's Spirit testifies to us the will of God, our spirit must step up with God's Spirit, and keep our belief accordingly.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Its only then we can walk in the will of God, and when we Thank him for what the Spirit of God is testifying to us, this only means we are actually receiving what the Spirit has asked God for us on our behalf.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> And Thanksgiving affirms our belief, and thereby the miracle manifests.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Galatians 5 : 25 Since we live by Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.''</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />So, Thanksgiving, given in oneness with God's Spirit, alone, results in supernatural manifestations. If we step back looking at circumstances, then we cannot reap the miracle power of God.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Spirit of God -->Testifies to Our spirit the will of God--> Thanksgiving -->God's will manifests.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''1 Corinthians 6:17 but He who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is very imperative that we are united with God in our spirit, and we must be rich toward God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If our spirits long for our fleshy desires and give thanks to God only from our human spirits and not in oneness with God's Spirit, then it is not true </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thanksgiving</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and it will not </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">yield</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> fruit.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore we must always keep in step with the Spirit of God, to know the will of God.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Romans 8: 24 But hope that is seen is not hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.''<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />When we are rich toward God, we shall not see what is in hand, but we will see what Spirit of God is showing to our spirit, and this is in accordance to the will of God.<br />And this can be known through the word of God. And His promises that He has given us.<br /><br />And when we believe this word, in Faith and Give Thanks, it will manifest according to God's plans, and according to His riches and glory, according to what we believed, being testified by God's Spirit.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''1 Thessalonians 2 : 13 ..the word of God which is at work in you when you believe.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the small boy gave all he had, it was his generosity, which was sown.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when it fell in the hands of God, the WORD WAS AT WORK- Jesus,the Living Word,( who was in man ), wanted to feed 5000 people, 'Gave Thanks ' to God for what He wanted to do. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And therefore, the will of God through Son, was manifested.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hence, in 2 Corinthians Apostle Paul says that we should give willfully, and cheerfully, and be rich in generosity, which is the gift of the Spirit. And in this richness, when the offerings fall into the Apostles' hands, since they are one with the Spirit of God in their sprits, God's Spirit intercedes on their behalf for their needs, according to the will of God and when the Apostles receive in their spirits and Give Thanks, all that God desired to do through them will be manifested.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, keep your spirits always lighted by the word of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let not your will collide with the will of God.<br />This will prevent the manifestation of God's higher plans for us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Light up your spirits with His Word and keep them always reconciled with the Spirit of God. Then Spirit of God will intercede on our behalf, according to the will of God, and when we ''give thanks,'' all that God purposed for our lives will manifest.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to be rich in the word if we need to stay one in God's Spirit.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We cannot sail on two boats - we cannot please men and we cannot please God at the same time.<br /><br />Get away from every distraction that prevents in keeping in Step with the Spirit of God, and always walk in the direction God's Spirit is leading you.<br /><br />Get the direction from His word, and stick to that word - keep in step with that word, irrespective of what might happen around.<br /><br />Do not expect the natural circumstances to promise you of the promises of God. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All Jesus had was only five loaves and two fish. But Jesus was one with the Father and therefore, whatever He wanted to do manifested.<br /><br />Through Christ, God has given us grace to be reconciled to Him. Without Christ, there is no reconciliation, there is no oneness with God.<br /><br />And Christ is the Living Word.<br /><br />Therefore keep in the word all the time, and nurture your spirits with the Word of God, and stay one with the Spirit of God.<br /><br />Then we can know the will of our Father for our lives and when we receive and ''Give Thanks,'' God will lead us into supernatural manifestations of His glory in our lives.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless You.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-55833124957095970052010-01-22T12:26:00.000+05:302010-01-22T13:27:57.683+05:30Betray Not!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, there are may incidents in the Bible, where we see own people betraying one another for elevating themselves and thereby fulfilling their selfish desires.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />For example, we see </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, who killed his own 70 brothers in order to become a ruler over Israel.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />We see Delilah betraying Samson to help her own people.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Needless to say, one of our Lord's own disciples, betrayed Him and handed Him over with a kiss.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Lets read from the Scriptures about these three instances:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">:</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Judges 9:1-5 </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> son of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jerub</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Baal went to his mother's brothers in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Schechem</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and said to them and to all his mother's clan, '' Ask all the citizens of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shechem</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> , ''Which is better for you: to have all seventy of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jerub</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Baal's sons rule over you , or just one man?'' Remember, I am your flesh and blood.'' When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shechem</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, they were inclined to follow </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, for they said, '' He is our brother .'' They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Berith</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> , and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> used it to hire reckless adventurers, who became his followers.<br />He went to his father's home in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ophrah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jerub</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Baal.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Delilah:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Judges 16:5,6 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, ' See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can over power him so we may tie him up and subdue him . Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver. So Delilah said to Samson, '' Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Judas Iscariot:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Matthew 26 : 14,15 Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests and asked, '' What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?'' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From then on Judas watched for an </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">opportunity</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to hand him over.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear God's people, from these three instances we could easily discern that, betrayal and money go hand in hand.<br /><br />Thirty silver coins bought Judas Iscariot to betray the Son of Man.<br />Seventy silver shekels and kingship in case of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abimelech</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<br />Eleven hundred silver shekels bought Delilah to betray Samson.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear precious children of God, as we are meditating on these Scriptures, let us introspect </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ourselves</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in the mirror of the Word..</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are we being lured by money to betray our own people ?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are we being forced by our situations to betray those close to us ?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are we entangled in selfishness that is leading us to do evil in the eyes of the Lord by breaking the trust of those who are living at peace with us ?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Driven by our evil desires, sometimes our mind leads us astray, and prompts us to betray our own people.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />We might think that no one would come to know, and that no one could make out our intentions and people will not even doubt us. And at times, we even swear falsely in the name of God to hide our mistakes before people.<br /><br />But dear child of God, let's read what the Word of God says about this :<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 15 : 11 Death and destruction lie open before the Lord - how much more the hearts of men !''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If death and destruction are open before our Lord, how much more our hearts and minds ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God is pretty well aware of every thought that rises in our mind and our heart.<br /><br />It could be your colleagues, or neighbors, or your own family members, do not think of breaking their trust in you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let not your hearts lure you for any dishonest gain and lead you to sin in the eyes of the Lord.<br /><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 16 : 6 Through the fear of the Lord, a man avoids evil.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Let the fear of God guide your actions, but not love of money, or fame or pleasure.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 15 :26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let purity reign your thoughts.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not plot against your neighbor, in order to reach your selfish goals.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Practise thinking clean and good for everyone around you.<br />Do not let your emotions take control of your thoughts. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Even if any vile thoughts arise due to any disappointments or ill treatments you perhaps went through, cut them off at the tender stage itself, do not let them grow.<br /><br />Our God is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Jehovah-</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jireh</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. A God who provides.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And He provides exceedingly, more than we can ever imagine.<br />We need to learn to keep our hope in the unfailing love of our God who can meet all our needs. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whatever we have been deprived because of people, our God is able to provide them, more than we can </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">accommodate</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But we should not turn to crooked ways of betraying people to satisfy our needs.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 26: 27 If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In eagerness to accomplish selfish goals, if someone digs a pit, he himself will fall into it. And if he rolls a stone it will be rolled back on him.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 35:10 You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we read above, God avenges on behalf of the helpless and the poor. He will rescue them from those who are too strong for them and who try to rob them.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If our neighbor is keeping his trust in us and relying on us, and if we try to take advantage of any of his trust, and try to deceive him, remember that the Maker is watching us and He will rescue him from every trap that we try to lay for him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Zechariah 5:3, 4 This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished.The Lord Almighty declares, ' I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in his house and destroy it, both its timbers and its stones.' ''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, therefore be very careful in dealing your matters, and in your relationships with your neighbors ( neighbor could be your siblings, parents, relatives, daughters and sons, colleagues....), and your relationship with God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remember that nothing can be hidden from God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If we try to deceive people in secret and swear in the name of God to falsely prove ourselves innocent, then this Scripture in Zechariah is a warning for us, where it says that a curse is sent out into all of those houses who swear falsely in His name and who is a thief. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And that they will be banished from the earth.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It will even destroy the timbers and stones of that house. Until then it will not leave that house.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear ones, we are a property of the Most High God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He bought us with a very very high price. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He shed His own blood to provide us redemption from such evil.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isn't it vile if we swear falsely in the same HOLY NAME, in order to hide our actions of betrayal and lies ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Will God remain silent?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And do you think we will be successful in accomplishing our goals through such evil methods?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you think you are someone who had betrayed your own, or anyone living at peace with you, if you think you have sworn falsely in the Name of God to hide your actions, or to falsely prove yourself innocent, then this is the time you confess before God and cleanse yourself, so that the curse that is doomed to come for such behaviour may be broken in the name of Jesus.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you neglect, then remember that the curse that we attract for such behaviour will not leave our house until it totally banishes us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 119 : 5,6 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let us steadfastly hold on to the commands of God and obey His decrees.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And let not anything under the sun steal away our purity that we need to practise in our thoughts and actions. We need to have clean intentions towards our neighbors. Being purchased by His precious blood, we cannot afford to betray anyone, irrespective of whether they are our friends or foes. As far as we are concerned, we need to live up to the commands of our Lord. And walk blamelessly before Him.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Isaiah 53: 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows ...''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 53 : 6 We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of all.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear child of God, if this message is convicting you, then hide yourself behind Jesus. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He is a ever loving God. And He will surely forgive you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If you have done any such kind of evil in the eyes of the Lord, he will surely cleanse you and make you a whole new being, if you confess earnestly.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you come under the protection covering of the blood of Jesus, you don't have to bear any curse, neither you will have to face any humiliation as a consequence of your actions.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus has paid the price in your place. And He will protect all your bones. Not a single string of your hairs will be burned. But you need to humbly confess and seek forgivenss and wash yourself in the blood of Jesus.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kneel down right away and ask the Lord to forgive you and lift you up, and cleanse the lips that swore falsely in His name and cleanse the hands that betrayed people. Lest it becomes too late and the devil starts bringing in the destruction due to the curse.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let us not become another Delilah, another Judas Iscariot or another Abimelech, who betrayed their own.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But let us light up our paths with the commands and decrees of our Lord and Saviour, keeping our hope in the unfailing love of God. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us show the love of God, and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 5:21 For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.'' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All our ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all our paths. He wants us to show His godliness in all we do. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our God takes interest even in our smallest of affairs.<br />Therefore, let us decide this hour, to please our Lord by abiding by His precepts in every single matter of our lives.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets Pray..</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father, forgive everyone who has sworn falsely in Your Name, Lord grant them grace to confess their mistakes, and if anyone has betrayed their neighbor, this hour I plead for your mercy upon them, and ask for forgiveness.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Lord cleanse them from every wickedness that led them to sin against you. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And grant them a new heart that is filled with your purity and gentleness, and your love. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Jesus name I pray, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-22464309393638164342010-01-22T10:40:00.005+05:302010-01-27T15:07:41.632+05:30Assembling Into His Radiance Or Cutting Away<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious people of God, let us meditate on these Scriptures, and as the Spirit of God helps us, let us understand whether we are being assembled into His radiance, as One body of Christ, or are we being led into confusion and are cutting away from the body.<br /><br />Here is a question-answer format of meditation on each portion of the relevant Scriptures.<br /><br />As we progress onto various portions, it makes it easy for us to refer to the former questions and answers to obtain reference.<br /><br />This helps the beloved believer to grasp the revelation with the right reference.<br /><br />So, here we go !</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Galatians :</span></i></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Galatians 5:7-10 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth ? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.<br />A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.<br />I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal.Q1: He who calls us, cuts us ?<br />Gal.A1: No, He does not cut us. He leads us to obey the Truth.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal.Q2: Are we supposed to take different views from that given in the Word ?<br />Gal.A2: No, We need to take just one view that Christ taught us.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal.Q3: What happens if anyone throws into confusion?<br />Gal.A3: He will pay the full penalty.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians:</span></i></span></span></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Ephesians 4:11 - 16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">attaining</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.<br />Then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> deceitful scheming.<br />Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up to him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.''</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q1 : The responsibilities that Jesus gave us to be ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A1 :<br />Apostles<br />Prophets<br />Evangelists<br />Pastors<br />Teachers</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q2 : He gave these to build up ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A2 : The body of Christ<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q3 : In what the body of Christ should be built ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A3 : In the Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q4 : What should these parts in the body of Christ speak ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A4 : Speak the Truth in Love<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q5 : How should each supporting ligament build up ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A5 : Should grow and build itself up in Love, doing its respective work.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q6 : What is the goal for building up together ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A6 : To reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q7 : What is the purpose of building up the body of Christ ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A7 : Attaining whole measure of fullness of Christ in us.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q8 : What are we are called to have ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A8 :<br />One Hope</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One Faith<br />One Baptism<br />One God and Father.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.Q9 : We need to make efforts for ?<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.A9 : Keeping unity of the Spirit.<br />One Body, One Christ, One Faith, One Hope and One God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Timothy:</span></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 2:1-3 I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q1 : What kind of lives do we need to live?<br />Tim A1 : Peaceful and quiet lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q2 : How should we live ?<br />Tim.A2 : We should live in Godliness and Holiness.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q3 : What does God want for all men ?<br />Tim.A3 : All men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 6: 3-10 :</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of truth and who think that godliness is means to financial gain.<br />But godliness with contentment is great gain.For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q4 : Who are robbed of Truth ?<br />Tim.A4 : Who think godliness is means to financial gain.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Tim.Q5 : What is considered ''gain'' ?<br />Tim.A5 : Godliness with ''contentment'' is great gain.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q6 : What did we bring into the world and what do we take out ?<br />Tim.A6 : We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q7 : What should make us content ?<br />Tim.A7 : Having food and clothing.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q8 : Who falls into temptation and trap ?<br />Tim.A8 : People who want to get rich.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q9 : What will plunge people into ruin and destruction ?<br />Tim.A9 : Foolish and harmful desires to get rich.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q10 : What is the root cause of all kinds of evil ?<br />Tim.A10 : Love of money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q11 : Who have wandered from ''the'' faith ( Faith is ONE ) ?<br />Tim.A11 : People who are eager for money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q12 : What happens to such who wander from the faith ?<br />Tim.A12 : Pierce themselves with many griefs.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q13 : What is a False Doctrine?<br />Tim.A13 : That which is not godly and not according to the instruction of Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the Faith. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q14 : Who have wandered from the faith?<br />Tim.A14 : Those who profess false knowledge.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">**Reference**</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Tim.Q11 : Who have wandered from ''the'' faith ( Faith is ONE ) ?<br />Tim.A11 : People who are eager for money.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we club the answers:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Those who profess false Knowledge are those who are eager for money.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So those who are eager for money, wander from the Faith.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Colossians</span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">:</span></span></i></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Colossians</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 3 : 9 ..since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.''</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Col.Q1 : How our new self ought to be renewed ?<br />Col.A1 : It must be renewed in the knowledge of its Creator.</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Col.Q2 : If its being renewed in eagerness for money, then what is such knowledge?<br />Col.A2 : False Knowledge.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">** Reference**</span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q13 : Who have wandered from THE Faith ?<br />Tim. A13 : Those who profess false knowledge.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we club the answers :</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our new self must be renewed in the knowledge of its Creator. But not in eagerness for money, for such a knowledge is false knowledge.<br /></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Col.Q3 : Then are we becoming one in Christ ?<br />Col.A3 : Impossible!</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />For Christ is One, faith is One and God is One. Knowledge of HIM is One.</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is no division in the knowledge of Christ.</span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">**Reference**</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.Q3 : In what the Body of Christ should be built ? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.A3 : In the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.Q4 : What should these parts in the body of Christ speak ?<br />Eph.A4 : Speak the Truth in Love</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.Q7 : What is the purpose of building up the body of Christ ?<br />Eph.A7 : Attaining whole measure of fullness of Christ in us.</span></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(204, 204, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q3 : What God wants for all men?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.A3 : All men be to saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we club the answers:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we are to become one in Christ, then the body must be built up in Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God and speak the Truth in Love, attaining the whole measure of fullness of Christ in us. For God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Col.Q4 : Then, if you are renewing yourself in eagerness for money, are you building up the body of Christ or creating Confusion ?<br />Col.A4 : Creating Confusion !</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because..</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">**Reference** </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q4 : Who are robbed of Truth ?<br />Tim.A4 : Who think godliness is means to financial gain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Tim.Q10 : What is the root cause of all kinds of evil ?<br />Tim.A10 : Love of money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q11 : Who have wandered from ''the'' faith ( Faith is ONE ) ?<br />Tim.A11 : People who are eager for money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q13 : What is a False Doctrine?<br />Tim.A13 : That which is not godly and not according to the instruction of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q14 : Who have wandered from the Faith ?<br />Tim.A14 : Those who profess false knowledge.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, then what happens if we create confusion ?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">**Reference** : </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal.Q3 : What happens if anyone throws into confusion?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gal.A3 : He will pay the full penalty.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we club the answers :</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Those who create confusion are those who love money, and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. In eagerness for money they have wandered from the Faith and profess false knowledge. They will pay the full penalty.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How we ought to live and build the body of Christ: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />**Reference **<br />Eph.Q3 : To build the body of Christ In ?<br />Eph.A3 : Faith and knowledge of the Son of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Eph.Q6 : What is the goal for building up together?<br />Eph.A6 : Reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.Q7 : Purpose of building up the body of Christ ?<br />Eph.A7 : Attaining whole measure of fullness of Christ in us.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eph.Q9 : We need to make efforts for ?<br />Eph.A9 : Keeping unity of the Spirit.<br />One Body, One Christ, One Faith, One Hope and One God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q3 : What pleases God our Saviour ?<br />Tim.A3 : All men saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q2 : How should we live ?<br />Tim.A2 : We should live in Godliness and Holiness.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Col.Q1 : How our new self ought to be renewed ?<br />Col.A1 : It must be renewed in the knowledge of its Creator.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tim.Q13 : What is a False Doctrine?<br />Tim.A13 : That which is not godly and not according to the instruction of Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Gal.Q1: He who calls us, cuts us ?<br />Gal.A1: No, He does not cut us. He leads us to obey the Truth.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Col.Q2 : If its being renewed in eagerness for money, then what is such knowledge?<br />Col.A2 : False Knowledge.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we club the answers:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Body of Christ should be built in the Faith and Knowledge of Christ.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It must be built up </span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must put our efforts for keeping unity of the Spirit, and live in Godliness and Holiness, for this is good and pleases God, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our new self ought to be renewed in the knowledge of its Creator, and He who calls us does not cut us away into confusion, but leads us to obey the Truth.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If anyone is creating confusion, then he is doing it in the love of money, and is only cutting us away from the body, by preaching false knowledge.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets us also read from 1 Corinthians and understand whether or not we can associate with those, who lead us into confusion with false knowledge (which basically comes from greed), and try to seggregate us from the body of Christ: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Corinthians 5 :11-12<br />You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolator or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.<br />With such a man do not even eat.<br />What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. '' Expel the wicked man from among you.'' ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10<br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?<br />Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolators nor adulters nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 7: 9 If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''Luke 8:21 My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people..<br />Let us put His word into practice.. and </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Stand Firm </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in our faith in the Son of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us abide by the true knowledge of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us all, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">together</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> work towards building up the body of Christ, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in the faith and the true knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-29118015462545866542010-01-22T09:45:00.004+05:302010-02-01T22:12:08.105+05:30Shepherd And His Flock<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Nehemiah 10:39 We will not neglect the house of our God.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Dear precious servant of God, in this message, let us meditate and understand the importance of keeping the House of God in order.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">House of God comprises of the shepherd and the flock.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are two important aspects that we must seek, when we are given the responsibility as a shepherd </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">of God's house.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One is prioritising to spend on the church in order to keep it good state and in right conditions.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The other is, earnestly seeking to be filled with the Glory of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Glory of God comes only from Righteousness in Christ Jesus.<br /><br />These two must be sought after with utmost diligence, in reverence and fear of God.<br /><br />As we get into the meditation, let us first read from Ezekiel, and understand few aspects that a shepherd must and must not do :<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ezekiel 34:2-4<br />Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.You have not brought back the strays and searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Scripture speaks about how a shepherd must govern his actions, when he is assigned the responsibility of the house of God.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us make a list of the activities from the above Scripture, that a shepherd must focus on:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />1. Strengthen the weak<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Heal the sick<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Bind up the injured<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. Bring back the strays<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5. Search for the lost<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6. Take care of the flock<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activities that a shepherd is not expected to do:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />1. Rule harshly and brutally </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />2. Take care of themselves only</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />3. Eat curds, clothe with wool, slaughter choice animals, ignoring the flock.( Basically means living lavish life styles, ignoring the flock )<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear precious servant of God, let us take this oppurtunity to introspect and learn if we fall into the first part or the latter.<br /><br />Glory of God is wrongly presumed to be the glory that the riches of this world bring us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Riches of the world are meant to be brought into the house of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However dear people, they are not the ones in which we must see God's glory.<br /><br />The Truth in His Word, must be the Glory that should fill the House of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The Glory that God gives is the one that reflects through us. That flows from inside of us. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Through the word that God sows in us, our spirits are ought to stay reconciled to God's Spirit, and in oneness of Spirit if we all gather in the house of God, and worship Him, it is then we can see the Glory of God manifesting in the house of God. We can see the real power flowing from heaven into our churches.<br /><br />We cannot please God with our righteous acts. It's only through Jesus that we can see God's glory. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, doing what the word of God says, is very very vital, in order to see the real glory manifesting in our churches.<br /><br />But if the shepherds themsleves are clothed with desires of the world, and teach about delighting in things other than God Himself, then it is only preventing God's real power to flow in our lives.<br /><br />Because kingdom of God is all about Righteousness in Christ Jesus.<br /><br />And righteousness and greed cannot go together. If greed, the glory of the riches of the world is what is driving our roles as shepherds, then righteousness, which is the glory of the Spirit cannot manifest in us.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Isaiah 3:8 Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.''<br /><br />'' Isaiah 3:10 Tell the Righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.''<br /><br />'' Isaiah 3: 14 The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?'' declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. ' ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, let us read about the importance of keeping our church buildings in right conditions:<br /><br />Let us read from Haggai:<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Haggai 1:3 -11<br />Is it a time for yourselves to be living in paneled houses while this house remains a ruin?<br />Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ''Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much but have harvested little. You eat but never have enough.You drink but never have your fill.<br />You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it.''<br />This is what the Lord Almighty says: ''Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, '' says the Lord.<br />''You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home I blew away. Why?'' declares the Lord Almighty. ''Because of my house, which remains in ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we spend money on ourselves, and find delight and comfort in the things of the world, and call it the will of God, while the house of God is not in a pleasing state, we are only deceiving ourselves.<br /><br />The money that God blesses into our churches, first must be spent on keeping the house of God in order and in right conditions.<br /><br />We must be very cautious not to spend a penny on ourselves, neglecting the house of God.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets read what Jesus says about love of money: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Matthew 6 :24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Delighting in the doctrines that contradict Jesus' instructions, and claiming them to be some knowledgeable teachings, which induce greed in people, is only coming from depravity of minds.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Such ones are totally missing out on the real meaning of taking care of the house of God.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 42:4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As David said, we need to pour out our soul for God.<br />Pouring out our soul means sacrifising all that the soul desires for the sake of God and let His holiness manifest in us. And thereby sing songs of praise to Him, in thanksgiving and worship.<br /><br />Being a shepherd one cannot nurture the souls of people with greed and at the same time nurture their spirits with the Word.<br /><br />Then this is not the kind of house God delights in.<br /><br />And if such shepherds are able to continue in their works, its just that God has given them away to the depravity of their minds ( in his wrath). </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But it is saddening to see that these people presume that they are being bold and are approved workmen in the vineyard of God.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 127 : 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Then, how can one think to build the house of God, by keeping the very instructions of the Lord aside ?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We are called to imitate Jesus Christ. He is our Chief Shepherd.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us look into the attitude of Jesus towards what was assigned by the Father.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' John 4:32 I have food to eat that you know nothing about.''<br />''My food'', said Jesus , '' is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is how our dedication must be towards what is assigned to us by our Lord.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Work of God must be given importance as eating our food. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">None of us neglect our food, isn't it ? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">No matter in whatever conditions we are, we ensure we feed ourselves timely and defnitely we will be careful that we eat the right stuff.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Assignments of God must be undertaken with similar care. We need to be careful that we are handling our tasks in the right way.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God takes delight in the way we work for Him, He will bless the work of our hands and takes us to higher levels, and assigns greater tasks and performs His wonders through us to bring Glory to His name.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us now look into Matthew 25:14 - 27 and learn few things on how God treats if one is lazy in doing His work.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Matthew 25:14 - 27 ''Again, it will be like man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents and to another one talent, each according to his ability. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.<br />After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.<br />The man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See here is what belongs to you.' ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.' ''</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, here the titles assigned to this servant are : </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'Wicked'</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'Lazy'</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This servant has dug a hole in the ground and hid the money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He seems to have done this mainly because of his laziness.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He doesn't want to work hard. And therefore to justify himself, he figured out one aspect of His Master, that the Master is a hard man who will harvest from where he doesn't sow.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This shows he actually is thinking contrary to what the other two servants thought about the Master.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Which basically means, He does not know the requirements of his Master.</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He wanted to do which is most convenient and easy for him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It seemed easy for him to just go, dig a hole and put the money in the ground. And he wanted to relax and be at rest, as such he has a reason that he framed for himself for the shortcut, toilfree method he adopted.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Most of us do this. Don't we ?<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We only look at one or few characteristics of God to justify our actions and doctrines, to fulfil our worldly desires and justify our actions, without trying to know and abiding by the requirements of the Word.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But word of God says, that an athlete must run according to the rules or he cannot win the race.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Timothy 2 : 5,6 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear servants of God, do not work with such notions picking up only one aspect of God, and base your doctrines only on that, in order to make your lives easy in this world.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">..then, you are only playing with the</span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Flame.</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The flame that burned Sodom and Gomorrah for its wickedness, might turn on us any moment if we are over smart like this lazy servant who felt he had figured out a wonderful reason to justify his actions (doctrine) of hiding the talent in the ground. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should not belong to this category.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are not doing any ordinary job.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Know the requirements of the One who called you and entrusted His property to you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Property here means the gifts of Spirit that God has given you. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It could be of teaching, of prophesy, preaching, or miracle working etc, that God entrusted to you to build up the church.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Get the word thoroughly, and ask God for revelations and chek the revelations with the word again, in order to ensure there is no deception coming from the enemy.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And once God confirms then go ahead and preach the doctrines.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Always ensure that you keep a regular and close watch on what you preach.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Psalm 75 :10 I will cut of the horns of the wicked. But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Only the horns of the Righteous will be lifted up. Not of the wicked.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />And without Jesus, righteousness cannot be manifested. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One cannot ignore the instructions of our Lord, yet claim to be a servant of the Lord.<br /><br />If we keep the sound instruction of Jesus Christ aside and proclaim to base the doctrines from the word of God, then such an ideology is not coming from God.<br /><br />For the word of God clearly says, we cannot go to the Father but by the Son.<br /><br />Requirements of the Word must be upheld, with due diligence, in all our actions as shepherds of God's house.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Most of the shepherds become careless in keeping up their loyalty towards the One who called them to serve Him. And their focus soon turns towards money and they begin to think about how best they can improve their living conditions and fulfill their desires, by using the calling of God.<br /><br />In this context, let us look into what Judas Iscariot did when he betrayed Jesus, being one of his disciples.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Matthew 27 : 3 - 7<br />When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ''I have sinned,'' he said, ''for I have betrayed innocent blood.''<br />''What is that to us?'' they replied. ''Thats your responsibility.''<br />So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.<br />The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ''It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.'' So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, as we read here, Judas was chosen as one of Jesus' disciples.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But we see that he betrayed Jesus. That which traded Judas' loyalty was money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The money that he made was by using his discipleship.<br /><br />This money that Judas made is called Blood Money, as we read above.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But finally, he did not even enjoy the money, neither did he have life any longer, when he realised his mistake. It was too late by then.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The money that he made dwindled away from his hands, as well as his life!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, the blood Jesus shed for us is to redeem us from the evil of the world. And the love of money is the root cause of all evil.( </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Being one of His called ones, if we use His word to make money, how different is it from what Judas did?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Peter 2:21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God allowed Judas to get the money. Same way God might allow us, in His wrath, to engage in the work of making money, using His word. But won't it be called ''Blood Money''?<br /><br />We are called to proclaim the salvation through the blood of Jesus.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus shed His blood for us, and was crucified for our sins, and through His blood, He provided redemption from every evil desire of the flesh, of which greed is one.<br /><br />But using His calling, if the shepherds focus on making money, how different is that money from what Judas Isacriot made when he betrayed the Living Word who called him to be one of His disciples ?<br /><br />Doesn't the same destiny that overtook Judas, overtake such of us too?<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets read what the word of God says about such of us:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Peter 2: 13 - 22<br />They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are are blots and blemishes, reveling their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed -- an accursed brood. They have left the straight way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.<br />These men are springs wihtout water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They promise freedom while they themselves are slaves of depravity - for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: '' A dog returns to its vomit, '' and, ''A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is what is spoken about such churches that are luke warm:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Revelation 3 : 15 - 21<br />I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.<br /><br />You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'<br /><br />But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, blind and naked.<br /><br />I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Those I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.<br />He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, dear people of God, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fear God. </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Spend first to keep the house of God in right state.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let not the glory of the materialistic things fill our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But let the Glory that comes from Righteousness in Christ, by being one in spirit with God's Spirit, through Jesus, the Living Word, fill our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-66768550399285779872010-01-21T23:49:00.003+05:302010-01-27T10:11:03.153+05:30'Jesus' Of 'Super-Apostles'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, are we supposed to live a trial free life?</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Does Bible teach this?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Does the Word of God anywhere say, speak to all your troubles and make them vanish, in the authority you are given in Jesus, and live a sorrow free life?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Does Jesus anywhere say to preach prosperity, this is why I have laid down my life?<br /><br /></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not be deceived if anyone proclaims this.</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Apostle Paul has foretold about such ''Super Apostles'' who preach this 'another kind of Jesus' and different gospel, and that people will get easily deceived.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF0000;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is a godly sorrow that we all need to go through to attain the likeness of the Son of God.</span></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us read the same from these Scriptures:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Corinthians 7:9,10 For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in anyway by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.<br />See what this Godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Corinthians 6: 3 -10 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy spirit, and in sincere love; in sincere speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine yet regarded as imposters; known yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The above Scriptures teach us that, as followers of Christ, we will surely face trials in life.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We will have hardships, and we must commend ourselves when God takes us through hardships.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For Godly sorrow is according to the will of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And we must persevere so that the likeness of God, in Christ fully manifests in us.<br /><br />Let us not be deceived by the doctrines that preach a sorrow-free life.<br /><br />Paul has warned us about such false Apostles coming up and teaching a 'Jesus' , different to what they have preached :</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''2 Cor 11:3 - 5 But I am afraid just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.<br />For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted , you put up with that easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ''super-apostles''.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''2 Cor 11: 13 - 15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These false preachers are those who preach a Jesus who only wants to give them lavish life styles, comforts, trouble free life, least prayer and more authority, tell you to speak and call your desires, specially money..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Life with this 'Jesus' is life full of luxury.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear ones, I would like to take this opportunity to warn you, as a servant of God - These people are not preaching you the right Jesus.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />As Apostle Paul told us in 2 Corinthians, they are false apostles and he (sarcastically) calls them '''super -</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Apostles.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They want to run ahead with their own deceptive doctrines - only to bring destruction upon themselves.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than we preached to you let him be eternally condemned.<br />As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />As Paul cautioned us, let us be alert to distiguish the gospels being preached. Let us apply discernment and discretion, and know if the gospel being preached is according to the preachings of Apostles or if they are deriving their own doctrines to suit their personal motives.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''Philippians 2 : 3,4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Apostles of the Holy Scriptures preach we should not do anything out of selfish ambition.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So if anyone is encouraging us towards accomplishing selfish ambitions, and idolising us in the presence of God, without honoring Christ's Supremacy, and are not teaching us Christ's humility, then we ought to be extremely careful to keep ourselves away from them and not yoke with such people. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They also proclaim that Jesus became poor so that we might be rich. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But dear God's people, when Apostles say in one Scripture that do not do anything out of selfish ambition, how can they contradict their own words by saying become rich and wealthy, this is why Jesus became poor ? </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Corinthians 8 :9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These words of Apostle Paul doesn't mean what they are being interpreted as ( by the false apostles) .</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The poverty Paul was speaking in this Scripture, is poverty of hearts - hearts that are poor towards God.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus scattered His gifts, the gifts of the Spirit to make us Rich toward God.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich toward God, by receiving the gifts of the Spirit, of which generosity is one, and therefore give unto God's kingdom, generously. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kindly read '' 'Rich' Through Christ's Poverty '' message to understand the revelation on</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Paul's words, when he said, ''Jesus became poor so that we might be rich.''</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Link : </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://ceicil-ministryofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2010/01/rich-through-christs-poverty.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://ceicil-ministryofreconciliation.blogspot.com/2010/01/rich-through-christs-poverty.html</span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets abide by the sound instruction of Jesus - ''Jesus,'' whom the Apostles of the Holy Scriptures have preached and tread the path that He showed us.</span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let not any 'super apostle' deceive you, coming up with any other Jesus that contradicts with the sound preachings of the Apostles, and let us refrain ourselves from doing anything in selfish ambition when we serve God.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets Pray..</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Father in heaven, I release a hedge of protection around all Your dear people, to save them from these super apostles, who bring them a different Jesus, than what Your Holy Scriptures have given.<br />Father, shower Your grace upon us that we may know and grant us the gift of differentiating the spirits, so that we may be careful and keep ourselves away from such false preachings.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And help us in Your grace to abide by the sound instruction of Jesus Christ, and make our goal only to please You.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Jesus name I pray that Your devouring fire protection surround Your people and let not any wrong gospel take them away from you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ be fully manifested in us, for Your glory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Jesus name I pray, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-27961121535264898912010-01-21T23:25:00.008+05:302010-02-12T15:50:39.517+05:30True Fasting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 58:3 - 5 '' 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? We have humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' ''Yet on the day of your fasting you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">quarrelling</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and strife, and in striking with each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? '' ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, let us meditate on this Scripture and understand how we can make our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fasting prayers</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> effective and result oriented.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we are living a life of sin and hold a fasting prayer for one day to please God, God will certainly not delight in such a fast.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He will not be pleased in one-day-show-off, and then go back to regular sinful life.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He needs all our ways to be straight before Him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you think your prayers are not being answered and you have been waiting for a real long time, first introspect if there is any offensive way in you that is not pleasing to God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First hold a fasting prayer before God for cleansing yourself off that offense.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Check if you are living in strife deliberately with those around you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Or if you are </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">unforgiving</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> towards people who had hurt you or caused you harm.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Check if your tongue is pouring out curses or blessings.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets make a list of the matters described in the above Scripture that are displeasing to God, when we fast:<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Fasting ending in quarrel<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Fasting ending in strife<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Striking each other with wickedness<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. Exploiting people around or those under you<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Keeping all these in place we cannot expect God to be pleased with a one day fasting prayer and send us our needs.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you are finding it difficult to forgive someone, or to get away with any weakness or shortcoming, first fast for that matter.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plead God to deliver you from such bondage, even before you present your request before God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Stop eating your food, for day or two, and then spend the whole time in the presence of God, present before Him the matter why you are coming to Him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And ask Him earnestly to cleanse you and forgive you if you had hurt Him and have not been living </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">up to</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> His expectations.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must first please God with honesty, humbleness and confession, and then go to Him with the desires of our hearts and our requests.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Once God is pleased with our humbleness and the tears we are shedding before Him for sinning against Him, and we come to a stage where we are in peace with Him, when our heart is totally cleansed from every malice, and when the light of God surrounds us, then whatsoever we ask in fasting prayer, will be granted to us, without a shadow of doubt.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However if any of the above mentioned sins are existing in us, and we steadfastly fast only for granting our desires, then dear ones, such prayers will be hindered by our sins and will not reach our Father. And therefore we will not be able to see any answers.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The number of days we fast also matters according to the seriousness of the matter we are praying for.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If the issue is a real big one, the number of days of our fast must be big too!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a time when I was going through a tough situation where I needed God's strong hand to deliver me, and there wasn't a little hope of the matter being settled in my favour from the circumstances I was going through.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The entire world was against what I was seeking, but what I seeking was what God has promised me.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The devil rouse itself very aggressively against me, creating opposition from all sides.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During this time, though I was firm in my faith, God wanted me to fast for 3 days.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a man of God whom God used to send me this message. Though this man asked me to fast for 3 days, his motives were to work towards what others were saying.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, God used this person, so that I receive the message of His requirement of a 3-day fast.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I never before fasted for so many days.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But in obedience, given by His grace, I said, 'Lord, I start off. You lead me. I am weak but nothing is impossible with you.'<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And God gave me grace to observe the 3 day fast. I probably had taken some coffee in the mornings and evenings. And some water when I was really thirsty. And no solid food at all.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Believe me people, I was extremely strong and joyful, during those 3 days, though I hadn't been eating. I never had a feeling that I need to eat, neither I felt any weakness in my body. Nor was there any temptation to just go and gulp something quickly.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In His grace He supplied me stamina and all that I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">needed</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to hold that three day fast and submit my requests before Him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then through a vision, God confirmed me that I am delivered according to my faith, i.e., according to His promise.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was around an year later, the deliverance manifested in the natural, and I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">received</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> what God has promised me, </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">without a string of help from anyone</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And even without me fighting for it.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">People who stood against me left my way by themselves, without any fuss.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And God has turned around things in my favour.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />In the mean time, God has filled my life with many good things and granted me many many blessings assuring me of what He promised He will do.</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> And in His chosen time, He did it !!</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God's answers will take time. But we need to hold on to Him in Faith and wait for His time.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to mould our minds to think according to what we believe in and act accordingly. Then our soul will be in sync with our spirit, which is being led by the Spirit of God, and thus, nothing in the natural can influence us negatively in reaching our goal.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not have double minds when you go to God for your answers. Be firm to receive what you are wanting.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Of course</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, this assurance and firmness must come from God's promise and by knowing His will.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If God is telling that whatever you are asking is not in His will, then submit yourself to doing His will. Do not be adamant or stubborn in asking Him through fasting prayers that which He clearly might have told is not in His plan. If you insist, then it will be considered a rebellion and God will finally give us away, over to our desire and we will only ruin </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ourselves</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. That desire will only become torment of our life.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Job 15:11 Are God's consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, when you receive a word of comfort from God and He assures you of something, then be still before Him. And wait on Him until He brings it to pass.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During such times, when you pray, let your words be very carefully uttered.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Because, sometimes, when it takes time in receiving, our agony makes us utter worthless words in our frustration of not receiving what was promised, in times that we want them to happen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This happens mostly in the matters of heart. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God has promised you something, and you seem to be waiting long to receive it, your frustration gives your tongue all its freedom and makes you speak out unworthy words complaining against God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not only behind, but also in prayers. Sometimes people grumble and pour out complaints, on how pathetic their condition is, and why God is not sending answer right away, how long must they look on etc..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, this is a very critical mistake. We must be very careful with our words.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let not your hearts lead you to sin against God when you are waiting on God for an answer.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should not expect God to answer us according to our emotions and our timings.<br />Or according to the fluctuations of our mindsets and our feelings.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God will work according to the agenda He has, and not change His plans, just because we are feeling desperate in our flesh.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rather, we must submit such feelings to God and act properly, by not saying worthless words but act in self-control, and in fear of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then God will grant us victory over these emotions and make us even stronger than before and takes us to the next level of tasting His grace.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So dear precious children of God, when you fast, hold on to your integrity towards God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Do not hold any unforgiveness or grudge against any one. If you hold, and at the same time fast and ask God to give you the desires of your heart, such prayers will not be fruitful.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Keep a careful chek on your tongue and your behaviour. Devote yourself in spending in His Presence. We must pray as if we have already received it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When we fast and pray, we should not involve ourselves in the wordly affairs, like we do on regular days.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I mean to say, for few of us regular activities involve:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* spending time before the television</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />* listening to music other than songs of our Lord<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* gossiping with friends<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* talking about worldly affairs, etc.,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These will divert our mind from the goal of our fast, and will distract our concentration from our prayer.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />And thereby, we will not be able to receive and interpret the messages of God that He sends through His Spirit into our spirit.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This time must be spent in God's Presence, reading the Scriptures, eagerly waiting to hear from Him and receive His instructions, and worshiping Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must give ourselves to the total control of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mind should not wander on other matters, while your mouth prays about some other things.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our mind and spirit must be in sync.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must keep ourselves holy in all aspects.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 58 : 9 - 12 If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the poinitng finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations.'' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May God bless this portion and grant us grace to fast in a way that is pleasing in His sight.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-52171872829240240112010-01-21T22:18:00.009+05:302010-02-19T20:32:23.999+05:30Integrity Of Heart<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 78 : 72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">tending</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, let us meditate on some Scriptures from 1 Samuel and learn how ''Integrity of heart'' is considered a vital factor, if God has to take us to the next level in our faith and assign us higher tasks and work through us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' 1 Samuel 17 :20 Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In this Scripture, we read about David, who, on his father's instructions goes to the camp, carrying the food that his father wanted to give to his brothers.<br />When David had set out to the camp, he had absolutely no clue that he would see a Goliath there.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He did not have a clue that he would be the one who will kill this giant, neither was he prepared for such a situation.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But when he goes to the camp and hears Goliath speaking against the armies of the Living God, David could not remain silent, as his heart was devoted to God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he begins to inquire with people around as to what was happening out there.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, that which was driving David's actions in this situation, is his integrity towards God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''1 Samuel 17 : 26 Who is this </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">uncircumcised</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Philistine that he should defy the armies of the Living God? '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />When he heard Goliath shouting defiance, and scaring Israelites, David could not remain silent.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he seemed apparently unafraid at his gigantic size .<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He kept his conscience right with God, and he takes up his stand without any hesitation.<br />And when people overheard him inquiring about the whole matter, this was reported to Saul, who then sends for David.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then, without a shadow of doubt David assures Saul that he will go and fight Goliath. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Samuel 17 :32 </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> said to Saul, ''Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David did not step back for any reason.<br />Even when Saul tried to discourage him that he was incapable and that he was just a boy, and would not be able to defeat Goliath, David was upright in explaining his confidence.<br /><br />Lets read what he says:<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''1 Samuel 17 :34 - But David said to Saul, ''Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth.<br />When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.<br />Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the Living God.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In this portion of Scriptures, every word that David spoke reflects on his integrity of his heart.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />He was only a boy tending sheep.<br />But, whenever any wild animal comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, he literally ran after that animal in order to rescue the sheep under his care, even without thinking about his life.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />He used to keep his life at risk in order to guard that which was entrusted to him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he kept his trust totally in God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Therefore God enabled him to struck down those wild animals.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Apparently, that wasn't an easy task, as we read, the bear would leave the sheep and turn to him to kill him.<br />Even then, David explains that he used to seize it by its hair and struck it and killed it.<br /><br />Dear people, what we need to observe and applaud here is not the muscle power of David, but his integrity in doing what is right in order to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">safeguard</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that which was under his care.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David chose to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, even if it were to face the wildest of animals, and he ensured that the sheep that was under his care were safe.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And since God was delighted in David's integrity, He granted him victory over the wildest of animals and enabled him to kill them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to also understand something more here...</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Although David kept His trust in God, did God prevent the lions and bears from attacking the sheep? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Did David anytime blame God for giving him threats from these animals?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Did he complain or leave his trust in God and became selfish, and let go of the sheep to be killed, in order to save himself?<br /><br />Dear people, from this we need to learn that we should not grumble or turn away from God, when we face tough situations. We should not act selfish when we are taken through trials, but only do what is right to do.<br /><br />God was training David's heart towards something bigger when He allowed these animals to attack the sheep. Because in God's plan, one day David is going to be a ruler of His people, Israel. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore God was preparing him and using these attacks in building up David's </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">character.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br />And when the right time came, God made him a way to go to the battle field to carry some food to his brothers. God has higher plans when He led David there. Because by then David's heart was thoroughly trained in all the aspects that God wanted him to have, and he was ready to face this giant and save the Israelites.<br /><br />And eventually, when David expresses that he wants to fight against Goliath and approaches Saul, God enabled Saul to be favorable to him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' 1 Samuel 17 : 37 Saul said to David, '' Go, and the Lord be with you.''<br /><br />''1 Samuel 17 : 38 -40 ''Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. ''I cannot go in these,'' he said to Saul,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ''because I am not used to them.'' So he took them off.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five stones from the stream, put them in his pouch of his </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shepherd's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. '' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, David was dressed up with royal attire, which he was not used to.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Yet, he did not feel great to be dressed in those garments.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Instead he wanted to just fight the way he fought the lion and saved the sheep. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For him, Goliath was another lion, another bear, who is attacking his God's people. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A God whom he worships.. and whom he fears!</span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''1 Samuel 17: 45, 46 David said to the Philistine, ''You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David, but has taken only the name of the Lord when he marched against Goliath.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He trusted that it is the Lord alone who will deliver Goliath into his hands. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All David had was few stones in his hand, and his shepherd staff, and the weapon he boasted was only the '' Name of the Lord Almighty.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God doesn't want us to get carried away when people try to make us 'somebody,' and try to assign some importance to us. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should not forget the purpose we are called for. And we should not turn our focus from our duties.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lest those become too heavy on us that we miss out on the very agenda God has for us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' 1 Samuel 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''1 Samuel 17 : 50 David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, why then most of us long for having everything in place, when we face such Goliaths in life?<br /><br />If just a stone could bring him down, if we hold on to our God, in integrity of our hearts, will He not bring down any giants blocking our way?<br /><br />The battle is not ours, its the Lord's. Let God take over the battle for us. Let us only take His name and stand against the forces coming against us, let us not lose our trust in God and let not our hearts give away for the fear of the gigantic shadows trying to scare us in our walk with God.<br /><br />Do not let integrity slip away in the multitudes of the armies of the enemies surrounding you. Or in the royal tunics of praise and fame that people try to assign you.<br /><br />David discarded even the royal attire. He went boasting only in the name of the Lord.<br /><br />And God used whatever David had in his hand to pull down this giant before him.<br /><br />Many a time, we give up on integrity, feeling sorry for ourselves when we face tough situations in life, and we start thinking, if only the situations were something else, if only I had so many people around me, if only I had good friends to support me, if only I had enough money, if only my family gives me all the support I need... </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">most of us do think this way....don't we ?<br /><br />But dear people, to be victorious, and to overcome, all we must uphold is our integrity towards our God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />We do not need any weapons or resources of this world.<br />When we take that step of faith in the integrity of our hearts, and keep our conscience right with God, God will bring down any giants blocking our way.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He will do the battles for us and make our ways smooth before us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not let fear grip your hearts..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not let your eyes focus on the vast armies of the enemies around you..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not let your physical conditions pull you down...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David was only a boy, neither was he trained to fight armies in battle fields, but that one</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> quality that made him a way, was his </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">integrity</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<br /><br />God was pleased with the way he was taking care of the sheep.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />God wanted his people Israel, to be cared in such a manner. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He loved Israel. He wanted a king who would protect them and shepherd them with care.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when he saw David upholding his integrity in taking care of the sheep to the extent that he ran after those wild animals and protected the sheep, God was delighted, and wanted His people to be cared in a similar manner. And David won God's favor to be entrusted with His people.<br /><br />God therefore made a way for David from tending sheep, to be a shepherd of His people Israel.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 78 : 72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear people, God has higher plans for each one of us.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If He were to consider us for greater tasks, we must prove right in the eyes of the Lord even in the smaller things He assigns us, and smaller situations or tests He takes us through.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If David would have neglected the sheep and left them to the lions, God would not have been pleased with him.<br /><br />Many of us who are shepherds of God's people, fall away in this aspect of integrity.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When we start tasting the benevolence of God, His rich blessings start pouring out on us, we tend to become lax in upholding our integrtiy towards the one Who called us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God will not be pleased if we do this.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Jeremiah 50: 6, 7 My people have been a lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wander over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.' ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If you are one of those shepherds tending God's flock, you need to take this oppurtunity to chek around if all the sheep is in the pen. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If all the sheep that God entrusted to you is safe under your care...?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are you upholding your integrity towards your Master, and taking care of each one of them with the Truth that you were expected to share from His word...?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Or is anyone wandering about, and if the enemy is devouring them...?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">if any of the sheep is being led astray because of your mistake ?<br /><br />Just because there are tough situations around, are you trading the word of God for your selfish gain?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are you showing the way to the Father's house as instructed by our Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are you being protective about each sheep under your care?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Or, are you finding delight for yourself, when tunics of fame and praise, and wealth are put on you, and forget the very purpose of your calling, while the sheep wanders about in mountains and hills not knowing the way to the resting place? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />God does not look at your abundant possessions or your capabilities dear people. All He looks at is how faithful are you towards keeping His ways, even in smaller things. And how whole heartedly you carry out the tasks assigned to you, without compromising, but always trying to please God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God wanted to find a king for his people, He wanted a ruler who can take real good care of His people, who can guard them being faithful to Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when He thought whom should He chose, He did not look at a warrior who had fought many battles..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He did not look for a handsome well built wrestler who has strong muscle power..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He did not look for one who had experience in ruling kingdoms..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He did not look for one with great wealth and well trained in warfares...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All that God looked at was this tiny little heart of David, that was upholding in all integrity, keeping his life at risk to save the sheep that was under his care...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All God looked at was this small life that did not hesitate even to battle with lions and bears in order to keep safe that which was entrusted to him ....<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All He was pleased in was in this beautiful heart of David that only, kept all its trust in His Name...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear ones, this is what our God looks at!</span></span></b></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we want to reap God's promises, and want to be considered to be taken to the next level in faith, and shower His benevolence on us, we need to uphold our integrity in smaller things.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should not lose heart or give away when a lion or a bear like wild situations try to snatch away things from us. </span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should not be afraid if a Goliath like situation stands in our way.</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Neither we should be carried away if someone showers praises and assigns any fame to us.</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to just do what is right in the eyes of the Lord irrespective of our situations.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All David had was some stones in hand...</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> neither did he delight in a king's tunic...</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Saul asked him, he said his strength lies in his Lord, and it is He who delivers this giant to him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Taking the Name of the Lord he went against this giant, and just like God delivered Goliath into David's hands, God will surely deliver the Goliath like people or situations into our hands, if we uphold our integrity and do only what is right and pleasing to God, in every situation.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 49 : 7 Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you. '' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is God's promise for His chosen ones.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not let a bear, or a lion or a Goliath like situation, or a king's tunic like fame and wealth, slip us of this promise God has for us.</span></span></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If we please God, by doing what is right, in due time, God will fulfill His promise and display His splendor in us.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 49 : 1-3 Before I was born the Lord called me ; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me;</span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, ''You are my servant, Israel in whom I will display my splendor.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So dear child of God, uphold your integrity in everything God takes you through, and keep your conscience always right with God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></b></span></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-37067960392131616142010-01-21T20:36:00.001+05:302010-01-27T16:51:57.954+05:30Temple Gatekeepers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Chronicles 9 : 22 - 27<br />The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.<br />They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord - the house called the Tent.<br />The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west north and south.<br />Their brothers in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods.<br />But the four principal gatekeepers, who were </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Levites</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God.<br />They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, in these Holy Scriptures, we can see the dedication and commitment the gatekeepers showed in guarding the house of God, called the Tent.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />They were so diligent and hardworking, and they worked round the clock in order to guard the Tent ( house of God ).<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The gatekeepers were on all the four sides, the east, west, north and south.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Their brothers come from time to time and shared the duties for seven-day periods, which means, all the days of the week the house of God was carefully guarded.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The security was not only on the inside but also around the house, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> '' they also would spend the night, stationed around the house of God.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />They had taken all kinds of precautions in order to guard the house of God.<br />Not one of the aspects seem to be neglected, but starting from outside of the Tent, to the inner rooms and treasuries of the House of God, everything was guarded so very carefully.<br /><br />Dear people, as we are meditating on these Scriptures, let us learn to have similar security measures to our bodies, which are the Temples of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, God begins to live in us.<br />And we must exhibit similar, round the clock, seriousness in guarding the salvation God has given us, like the gatekeepers we have seen above.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />We need to be on guard all seven days of the week, 24 hours of the day, and be alert in order to preserve our salvation, and protect ourselves from the intruders of the evil world.<br /><br />We cannot do it by ourselves, we need the help of the Chief Priest, Jesus Christ, who has suffered for us and who overcame the world. And has provided redemption for us.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Hebrews 2:14 - 18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> lives were held in slavery by </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of his people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hebrews 5:8 - 10 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Jesus is the source of our eternal salvation.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must keep looking up to Jesus all the time, and be utmost careful in our daily walk with God, preserving our salvation, by taking all the measures to keep ourselves holy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Hebrews 3:1- 6 Therefore , holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus had been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.<br />For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, we are the house of God,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">if we hold on to our courage and the hope in Christ.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Evil one might try to intrude into our lives any moment, through circumstances, people, desires,or attractions.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We should therefore be careful that we don't fall away in unbelief, or fall away for any sin, but stay in the hope, patiently waiting on God and seeking His counsel.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need to be courageous round the clock, practising holiness in all aspects of our lives, and growing more and more into His likeness and keep ourselves from being polluted by the attractions of the world.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' James 1: 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this : to look after orphans and widows in </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'' </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the Living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had first.''</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As long as it is called Today, we should stay awake by keeping ourselves in the Word of God.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Confidence and Courage must be held fast to. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must not become timid when God allows trials.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity , but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' James 1:21 Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.''</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is the word, that alone can save us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />We can guard ourselves against the marauding forces of the evil world by only accepting the word that is planted in us and by living by the Word.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just like the gatekeepers guarded the house of God with a certain pattern of tight security measures, the instructions given by our Lord in his Word, alone is the light that can keep us awake and keeps us safe from the evil one.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hebrews 5 : 12, 13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of the him to whom we must give account. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' James 1:22 - 25 Do not merely listen to the word , and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Matthew 24:42-44 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people of God, let us be like those diligent gatekeepers who day and night followed strict and tight security measures to protect it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Christ, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we are the houses of God, and God dwells in us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">et</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> us therefore be awake, by keeping ourselves in the word, and diligently put the word into practice. And be ready to receive our Chief Priest, who might come any hour that we </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">knoweth</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> not, to take us to our Father's home.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May God grant us grace to be faithful gatekeepers of His house.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-16395909893242561492010-01-21T19:15:00.000+05:302010-01-23T00:03:53.926+05:30Rely Only On God - He Cares For You!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' 1 Chronicles 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance , and did not inquire of the Lord.So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.''</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />'' 2 Chronicles 16:2-13 :<br />''2 Chr 16 : 2-5 : Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.<br />''Let there be a treaty between me and you, '' he said, '' as there was between my father and your father.See, I am sending you silver and gold.Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.'' Ben-hadaad agreed with king Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel.They conquered Ijon,Dan, Abel Maim and all the store cities of Nahtali.When Baasha heard this he abandoned his work.''<br /><br />''2 Chr 16 :7-9 : At the time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: '' Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen ? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.<br />For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war.''<br /><br />''2 Chr 16:12, 13 In the thirty-ninth year Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.''</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dear people, as we meditate on these portions of Holy Scriptures, we need to learn how critical it is if we fail to keep the word of God and turn our eyes to our own wisdom and other sources for our guidance in our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In 1 Chronicles 10:13, word of God declares the reason why Saul died was because he was unfaithful to God. Not only that he even consulted a medium for guidance and did not inquire of the Lord. And which is why God put him to death.<br /><br />Lets look into some Scriptures in Acts in context to 'consulting a medium' :<br /><br />There are powers of darkness all around us. These powers do know the future, they do know God too. This doesn't imply that we should take the benefit of these mediums when we need some guidance in any critical situations we are going through. Because the word of God forbids us from doing so.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />''Acts 16:16-18 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future.She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ''These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.'' </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ''In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!'' At that moment the spirit left her.''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As we read above, these spirits who predict future submit to Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They know God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And as children of God we must not rely on any such sources. The only source we are commanded to seek, is His Word.<br /><br />Our times does not depend on any stars or any seasons or neither on any positions of heavenly bodies in the galaxy. It is God who determines the times set for each of us:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' Acts 17 : 24 -28 'The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.<br />For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' '' </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />As these above Scriptures declare, it is God who gives us life and breath and it is He who determines our times and even the places of our dwelling.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He does this so that we all go to Him and seek Him. God wants us to find Him, he is not far from any one who seek Him earnestly.<br />It is in Him that we need to move and have our being.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God has made Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer. And through Jesus, He reconciled us to Him.<br />If we are to seek God and have our being in Him, all we must adhere to is the Living Word of God who is Jesus, the Christ.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />There must not be any other sources or mediums that we should look up to, in order to get guidance in our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our inmost beings must be wrapped up with His word and our being must be in his word, as we are His offspring.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />God forbid that any of us consult such mediums in order to know the fortunes!<br /><br />Saul had lost his life for consulting a spiritist instead of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Perhaps he thought it was the quickest way to know things, but this only made his death come much quicker than expected !</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We also read in 2 Chr 16 : 2 - 13 on how King Asa was relying on God for certain time and then at some point he took things into his hands without consulting God. Its then God withdrew his protection around him and he died due to severe illness.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lets read again:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' 2 Chr 16 : 2-5 Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''Let there be a treaty between me and you, ''he said,'' as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.'' Ben-hadaad agreed with king Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel.They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim and all the store cities of Nahtali. When Baasha heard this he abandoned his work.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''2 Chr 16 : 7-9 At the time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: ''Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.<br />For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''2 Chr 16 : 12,13 In the thirty-ninth year Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Those his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If we read some verses still above we see that king Asa and his people actually entered into a covenant with God that they will seek only God with all their heart and soul. All who would not seek the Lord God of Israel were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. And as long as they sought the Lord, God gave them rest from all sides.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' 2 Chr 15 :12 - 15 They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. All who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly , and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When the people sought the Lord eagerly, He was found by them.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As long as they sought him God has given them rest in all sides and protected them.<br />( The same is conveyed by Aposle Paul in Acts 17:24 that God wants his people to seek him and find him. And have our being in Him and move in Him )<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa, we see that, instead of seeking the Lord, King Asa took things into his own hands and entered into a treaty with king of Aram in order to save himself from Baasha, the King of Israel, who went up against Judah, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We also read in these Scriputres that Asa and people of Judah have actually entered a covenant with God to seek only Him and whoever does not seek irrespective of their gender or profile, they would be put to death.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They have sworn this whole heartedly.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dear people, most of us accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, wholeheartedly.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We take oaths and promises that we will not leave Him and will allow Him to rule our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But when tough situations come, we take things into our hands. We want to apply our own wisdom and understanding and take quick decisions without involving God.<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When Jesus is invited into our lives as a Saviour, dear people, He must be honored to provide His guidance and protection in all matters of our lives, both small and great.<br />God wants us to walk in Him and have our being in Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He doesn't want us to make our own presumptions and act according to our wisdom.<br /><br />In the above, King Asa felt it was perfect for him to seek the help of King of Aram, who was ruling Damascus, in order to win over King Baasha of Israel.<br />And he was successful in his own eyes, because when he entered a treaty with Ben-hadad, king of Aram, King Baasha of Israel abadoned his work against King Asa.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />But this was only foolishness in the eyes of the Lord.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">''2 Chr 16 : 7-9 At the time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: '' Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing and from now on you will be at war.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God has withdrawn His rest from King Asa, when he failed to seek God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Until that moment they were at rest in all sides - rest given by God, but when Asa took things into his hands, God withdrew His rest.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />We read in further verses in this chapter that Asa was angry and puts this seer in prison and even brutally oppresses some of the people. He who entered a covenant with God, to seek Him only, broke the covenant himself when he entered the treaty with King of Aram.<br /><br />Dear people, once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we enter the blood covenant.<br />A covenant that is established with the blood of Gods' own Son.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This blood was shed in order to reconcile us to God so that God may dwell in us and rule our lives.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ruling our lives, meaning ruling every single aspect of our lives.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And we should seek God and allow God to provide His guidance at every step we take in our lives-</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We should not allow our human wisdom to run ahead of God's guidance and provision.<br /><br />God has delivered powerful armies into the hands of King Asa. Despite that Asa relied on King Ben-Hadad for help against King Baasha. And thereby he lost God's protection.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He wanted to win over one king with the help of another, keeping God aside. Had he sought the Lord, He would have delivered king Asa not only from King of Israel, but also the king of Aram into Asa's hands. But Asa thought he was being wise in seeking help of king of Aram, but in reality he was being foolish !<br /><br />We also read that when Asa fell sick he relied only on the physicians, but did not seek the Lord:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' 2 Chr 16 : 12-13 : In the thirty-ninth year Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers. ''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Two years God has been waiting for Asa to seek His help for his illness. But we see that he relied only on the physicians. Had he turned to God, and repented and asked for God's help to deliver him from the illness in his feet, God perhaps would have spared his life. But Asa did not rely on God and finally lost his life at a very early age.<br /><br />Dear people, do not take things easy.<br /><br />Do not think that let me not bother God, let me do it myself for this time-No !<br /><br />This is not what God expects from us. For the word of God says, He wants and waits on us for us to call him. He longs to dwell in us and rule our lives, giving us rest from all the turmoil and toil of the world.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />We don't have to fight the battles of our lives ourselves, for we are the redeemed of the Most High God who does the battles for us and delivers us each time we call on Him.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'' Psalm 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.'' </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />'' Psalm 73:27, 28 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Therefore dear children of God, rely only on our God for all your needs.<br /><br />Do not turn to the world or any other source, neither a medium nor a spiritist, but steadfastly look upto the deliverance of our God, who determines our times and dwelling places.<br /><br />Make Him your only refuge in all your situations, and all your matters, both small and great.<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-52359282119170753492010-01-21T18:07:00.001+05:302010-01-29T17:25:26.356+05:30Let Us Not Exchange God's Glory<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hosea 4 : 6 -12<br />So I will destroy your mother -- my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.<br />''Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children,<br />The more the priests increased the more they sinned against me ; they exchanged their glory for something disgraceful.<br />They feed on the sins of my people and relish </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> wickedness.<br />And it will be like: Like people, like priests.<br />I will punish both of them for </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ways and repay them for </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">their</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> deeds.<br /><br />They will eat but not have enough; they will </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">engage</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution, to old wine and new which take away the understanding of my people..<br />They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood.A spirit of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">prostitution</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> leads them astray, they are unfaithful to their God. '' ''</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear beloved people of the Most High God, as the Spirit of God led me to this portion and was opening up the revelation to me, I am humbly writing down, so that all of us will have an </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">opportunity</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">check</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ourselves in the mirror of His Word, and see if we are dressed up with the Glory of God, or in some foreign glory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />This Scripture tells us about those priests who, sometimes , tend to reject the knowledge of God, and how sometimes people who are serving Him tend to fall away into deception.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This above Scripture speaks mainly about the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shepherds</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, to whom God has entrusted His flock, and highlights about such of us who reject His knowledge.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It mainly addresses the priests, i.e., servants of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the Spirit of God be with us through out the meditation and May He take total control of the meditation and grant us understanding as He opens up the revelation:<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hosea 4: 6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Knowledge comes from the fear of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 15:7 The Lips of wise spread knowledge.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 128 :1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore when God says that people are destroyed due to lack of knowledge, this directly means they are destroyed due to lack of fear of God. Yes ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, when we begin to serve God, we need to be very cautious and discern if we are hearing the voice of our </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shepherd</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> or any strange voice is leading us into any kind of depravity and conceit.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 15 :14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because word of God warns us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light to deceive even the elect.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since the devil is at work in disguise, it is really very easy for us to slip away from the track, even without realising.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, in the above Scripture in Hosea 4, God significantly speaks about His priests who reject His knowledge, are only ''Exchanging His Glory.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He speaks about those of us, who tend to exchange His Glory, and find delight in some other's glory ( well, this could be sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly).<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, once we have been thoroughly refined to be used as workmen in His vineyard, God actually clothes us with His Glory.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His Glory will come upon us from the Knowledge of Him.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets look into some Scriptures to understand what will be the characteristics of Knowledge of God, like.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And how can we see the Glory of God resting on us:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory of God rests on you.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Peter 5:2-10<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shepherds</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;<br />not greedy for money, but eager to serve;<br />not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">examples</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to the flock.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And when the Chief </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shepherd</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> appears you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All of you clothe yourselves with </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">humility</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> toward one another, because ''God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.''</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Humble yourselves, therefore under the God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be self controlled and alert.<br />Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Resist him standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the God of all grace , who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious people in Christ, the above are some instructions that we, as servants of God, must abide by and keep a regular </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">check</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> on ourselves to ensure that we are living according to how we are instructed by the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chief</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shepherd</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, who is Jesus, the Christ ( the Word of God).</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, as the enemy is always looking to devour , and prowls like a roaring lion, many a time most of us tend to slip away, even without realising.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In such times, if we chose to continue in that delusion, presuming that we are still serving God, and if we are not willing to make amendments to our ways, and if we compromise from holding on to the true Knowledge of God, even though God is sending us alarms - could be through our own conscience, could be through some sickness, could be through His word, could be through other fellow servants - then, Word of God says, God will himself give us over to those unworthy ways of depravity.<br />Let us read the same :<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Romans 1:28 - 32<br />Furthermore since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.<br />They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters,insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Although they knew God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people , the above Scriptures clearly speak about the characteristics that surface in us, once we reject the Knowledge of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">characteristics</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> are in total contrast to the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">characteristics</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that we have seen</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in 1 Peter 5 : 2-10 which come from the Knowledge of God.i.e.,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Knowledge of God results in (1 Peter 5: 2-10) </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Humility toward one another</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Serving willfully<br />Not greedy for money<br />Eager to serve<br />Not lording over people entrusted<br />Not proud<br />Self Controlled<br />Alert<br />Firm in Faith<br />Persevering in suffering<br />Steadfast<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Mark 4:25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, if we retain the knowledge of God, and work for Him in fear and reverence, holding on in Faith and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">humbleness</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, God will give us even more.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And if we fail to retain the same, and tend to get away with depravity, even whatever was given to us, will be taken away from us.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Jeremiah 6:16 Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At every stage we need to ask God, to find out what is the right thing to do, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">check</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> our doctrines with Him, if they are from Him, if they are based on the Knowledge of God, or if the enemy is deceiving us in the disguise of light.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we fail to think its worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, then characteristics described in Romans 1: 28 -32 , will surface in us, and this is the ''disgraceful glory,'' it makes its way in disguise of light dear people, and this is because God has given us away to our depraved minds, and allowed us to do what is not to be done, because our hearts did not think it worthwhile to hold on to the truth and abide by His knowledge.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Romans 1:28 Furthermore since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Hosea 4:7 such a condition of depravity where we fail to retain the Knowledge of God, and are led by a spirit of prostitution towards disgraceful things, is defined as, ''Exchange of Glory'' of God to disgraceful things.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Romans 2 : 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us not, therefore, be self seeking. But be careful to hold on to the truth.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us not exchange His Glory to something </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">disgraceful.</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Having now understood the characteristics that a servant of God must wear, which come from Knowledge of God, and those of disgraceful glory, let's now meditate on Hosea 4 : 6-12 , to get further insight on what leads His servants towards disgraceful glory, and how their behaviour will be like:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hosea 4 : 6 -12 :<br />So I will destroy your mother -- my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Because you have rejected knowledge , I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children,<br />The more the priests increased the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glory for something disgraceful.<br />They feed on the sins of my people and relish thier wickedness.<br />And it will be like: Like people, like priests.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They will eat but not have enough; they will enage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution, to old wine and new which take away the understanding of my people.<br />They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray, they are unfaithful to their God.'' ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here God tells us, that those priests who reject His Knowledge, are basically led by a ''spirit of prostitution.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isn't it alarming dear people?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He also says, if we reject His knowledge, He will reject us as His priests.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And He says, to such priests who reject His knowledge, He will actually allow them to ''engage'' in this prostitution but they will not increase ...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said the same in Romans 1:28 that He will give them over to a depraved mind.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Romans 1 : 28 Furthermore since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This makes it clear to us that, if any of us have rejected his Glory that comes from Knowledge of Him, and are still able to move on, then this means God is giving us over to our depraved minds, and we will be only deceiving ourselves if we presume that God is approving our works!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us all, therefore, be warned by this, that its our duty to keep a very close chek on our doctrines, our preachings, and the way we walk with God and the way we lead God's flock.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Every hour, we need to chek in the mirror of the Word of God, and set right ourselves and be careful to wear the right characteristics, coming from the Knowledge of God, as described in 1 Peter 5 : 2-10.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Anytime if we notice any of the characteristics of disgraceful glory, as described</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Romans 1: 28 - 32 surfacing in us, let us discard them immediately in repentance and reconcile ourselves to our Father, who called us in His grace to serve Him, and let his Glory rest on us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let us not engage ourselves in exchanging His Glory for any disgraceful thing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, in this portion of Hosea 4:12, there is something significantly mentioned about ''consulting a wooden idol'' and being answered by a ''stick of wood.''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Hosea 4:12 They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray, they are unfaithful to their God.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Now, a wooden idol is something that is made from wood. Yes ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And that which is made from wood - and that which people believe has some power in it - and that which people assign great value! This is how we can define a wooden idol.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you agree with me ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now if we take this as a base, and reflect on our current days, this meaning of wooden idol, reflects on ''money.'' Money is made from wood, money has value and people believe it has power- am I right?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we now go back to Romans 1, and read the characteristics mentioned in Romans 1:28 -32, we can relate that those characterisitcs arise mainly due to love of money.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets make an analysis to help ourselves understand this revelation:<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is the list of the characteristics described in Romans 1:28 -32:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Wickedness<br />Evil<br />Greed<br />Depravity<br />Envy<br />Murder<br />Strife<br />Deceit<br />Malice<br />Gossips<br />Slanderers<br />God-haters<br />Insolent<br />Arrogant<br />Boastful<br />Invent ways of doing evil<br />Disobey their parents<br />Senseless<br />Faithless<br />Heartless<br />Ruthless<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we take a close look at these, each of these arise in a person, specially due to love of 'money.'<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yes ?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And now, if we read the Scripture in Hosea 4, and verse 7 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful,'' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> we understand that these above are the components that make up the ''disgraceful glory.'' </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because they are arising from an wooden idol ( wooden idol, as we defined, is money ).<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This means, the characteristics of Glory of God coming from Knowledge of Him, are exchanged to something that comes from money, due to depravity of minds that fail to think its worthwhile to retain Knowledge of God. And the word of God calls such glory coming </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">from money, a disgraceful one.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now :<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Hosea 4:12 They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood.''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we notice, in this verse, the term 'consulting' is used. He did not say they are worshiping a wooden idol, He said, they ' consult ' a wooden idol.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, what is ''consulting'' ?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In general, consulting someone means, taking a piece of advice, yes?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So when God says, 'these priests consult a wooden idol,' He means to say that, while serving Him, they take a piece of advise from this wooden idol (money)!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And this is only being unfaithful to him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />A stick of wood gives answers to them!( money is made from sticks of wood, isn't it? )<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Such of us, who consult money, serve God for the glory the money brings to us. Yes.. ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We take this consultant's advise and mould our doctrines and preachings accordingly, in such a way that it generates more money ! The goal of the doctrines is to make financial and material profit!<br />Isn't it.. ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious chosen servant of the Most High God ....Is this pleasing to our Father ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Can He see His children exchanging His Glory to the glory of money which is disgraceful ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the word of God in Hosea 4 : 6 -12 says, such depravity is caused by spirit of prostitution.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Being called the children of the most Holy and Most High God and being made in His likeness, can we engage ourselves in such an activity ?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Can we afford to mislead God's people, whom He has entrusted to us as His precious little flock in order to be handed over to the Chief Shepherd?<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;<br />not greedy for money, but eager to serve;<br />not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examles to the flock.<br />And when the Chief Shepered appears you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Think .....</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the Spirit of God open our understanding and help us reconcile ourselves to the true knowledge of the Living God, and clothe us back with His Glory.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the warmth of His grace surround us and melt away every disgraceful component that surfaced in our lives and ministries, and heal us of all disgrace and unholiness.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As we close, let us look into some Scriptures that speak about the wrath of God, if we fail to reconcile: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Amos 9:8 - 10 Surely the eyes of the Lord are on the sinful kingdom.I will destroy it from the face of the earth - yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob, ''declares the Lord. For I will give the command and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a seive , and not a pebble will reach the ground. All the sinners among my people will die by the sword, all those who say, 'Disaster will not overtake or meet us' ''.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ezekiel 24 :14 - I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act.I will not hold back;I will not have pity , nor will I relent.You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's Pray..</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Father, in Your grace You have called us. May Your grace find us back and reconcile us back to you. Forgive us if we have exchanged Your Glory to the glory of money.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Grant us understanding and revelation and help us to humble ourselves and abide by your word.<br />In Jesus precious name I pray, Amen.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-7338518816183409652010-01-21T17:41:00.005+05:302010-02-13T13:29:24.402+05:30Endure Hardship As Discipline<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline;<br />God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his Father? '' </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Hebrews 12 :11 No discipline seems pleasant at that time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious people of God, if you are one of those who God is taking through fires of shaping and moulding, cheer up, and commend yourselves, that your Father is only getting you into the image He has for you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I myself have gone through such hardship when God was shaping me up for the work He has to do through me. And believe me it was really painful, but once the work inside was complete, that very moment, in the wink of an eye, the promise of God began to manifest on the outside.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When we go through such phase in life, people might seem like they are trying hard to prevent your progress, might grab away your </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">opportunities</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, colleagues might seem like creating political games around you , your reputation is being spoiled, rumours are being spread about you, people at home seem uncooperative, looks like you are stuck up in a desert... its just total darkness around you... this is what it feels like ...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But you know something, unless all the doors the closed, we will not turn our eyes towards our Saviour and all these situations are but only to draw your time and attention towards His word, so that His light can shine on you and you get trained in the way that God wants you to take, and by meditating on His word, your spirit starts </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">yielding</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the gifts of righteousness inside you, that we are granted through Jesus.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These trials will make us keep our trust totally in Him, and trains us how not to look around for a string of help from the world..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These will make us realise how worthless is trusting man for help...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During such times, even if we try to approach men for help, it will only mess it up further, it will only add to the already going through agony - Do not seek help from people, when God is taking you through hardship. Rely just on Him.<br /><br />Learn to totally make Him your Source of supply.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Even your smallest desires, express to your heavenly Father and wait on Him. He will surely raise people, and raise resources for you and send you the help you need.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />'' 1 Peter 4:12 Do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ. ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But do not get dejected if the pain is hard, do not let curses come out from your lips against His plans, do not feel sympathetic that this is happening with you while the whole world is in its merry...but endure it, with humility and let perseverance finish its work in you...<br /><br />When the work inside you complete and Once God thinks...<br /><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">YES ! </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now he is ready! Now he will hold on to me... even if I shower a million blessings on him he will not take pleasure in them.... but will delight only in Me...<br /><br />Now He can withstand any situation that he might face in his journey ahead...<br /><br />Now He knows how to seek me for all that he needs...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now He will be really really afraid even to pass through the neighborhood of Sin...<br /><br />Now He will first come to me and ask me at every stage , what to do next...<br /><br />Now He knows how to hear my voice clearly...<br /><br />Now He knows how to wait on me...<br /><br />Now he knows how to keep all his eyes on me and not look around...<br /><br />Now he will Rejoice in my name, though I send a famine or a devastation around...<br /><br />Now, for my Name He will stand up...<br /><br />He now looks like my Son...<br /><br />Who knows his identity...<br /><br />Who knows who his Father is... He will now do my Will!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When all the items on God's agenda are fully made complete in us...i.e.,until we are shaped into the likeness of Jesus Christ, its then that God releases us... into His promise... into what He promised He will do...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Until that time, there will not be a single sign or a single loop in the natural, to make us feel that yes, I see this so God's </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">promises</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> will surely come to pass...</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">No!</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All that we will be given is just His WORD.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rest everything will be </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">vacuum</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> locked.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We will not be able see anything in the natural, that grants assurance of His promise until the hour He </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">chooses</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And this is how we need to develop our FAITH.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Holding on to that Word, when we humbly wait on Him, its then the process inside begins.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />There could be bomb blasts </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">happening</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> around, could be famines, and could be volcanoes or tsunamis </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">occurring</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, but all we must hold on is to the promises of God and keep His ways, and endure all that hardship..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Allow the Spirit of God to completely reconcile your spirit to God, and then, in God's chosen time, things will suddenly change on the outside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the wink of an eye you will fly away like an eagle from those situations..into the freedom that Jesus promised.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear God's precious people, therefore endure hardship as our Father's way of discipline.<br />Abide by His word in all you do, for when He shapes you up and makes you ready..into the image He has for you, and begins to use you in His kingdom, </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">your heart will surely cry out...</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Father... What have You made of me ... am I worthy of this...? ''</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My heart cried out...</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">when I saw the person He shaped me into ... and when He started using me for His work</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...<br /></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />And this makes me to stay humble in His presence now... all the time...and stand in awe of Him, in reverence and in gratitude...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He who let go off His Own Son for you, will He let you go off His Hands ...?<br /><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are safe in Your Maker's Arms!</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's Pray..</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father, all those dear ones whom, in your great love, You are now moulding them, let them have the feeling of being secured, that comes from the Faith, the comfort that comes from Your promises, the unbeaten hope that comes from Your Faithfulness...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Lord, let not the enemy deceive them by diverting their attention towards the external, but Lord may Your Spirit open the eyes of their spirit .....<br />and let them see the heaven inside them ...<br />let them see their Father, their Maker, in His great compassion, transforming their inside </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in order</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that they may be reconciled to You..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and may they dwell in Your presence the rest of their lives..<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I release a hedge of protection around all those dear people in the name of Jesus..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the work you have begun in them be completely accomplished in their lives, for Your glory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May Your devouring fire surround them, and consume every arrow that the enemy tries to throw at them, Lord preserve them in the incubator of Your Word, may the life from Your Word flow like streams and nourish them, and help them to surrender completely to doing Your will, and help them to keep every effort to co-work with You, and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">segregate</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> themselves from the world, and may the likeness of Your Son, be revealed in them. Transform them into Mighty </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">warriors</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of testimony of Your Love, who will stand up till the end, only to be received into Your Glory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I cover them all with the blood of Jesus.<br />In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-86735453277405618582010-01-21T17:18:00.002+05:302010-02-13T13:33:09.768+05:30Accept The Right Advice<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious people of God, let us meditate on the following Scriptures and learn to accept the right advices, in various matters of our lives, during our spiritual walk.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Chronicles 10 : 3 - 15<br />So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and said to him: '' Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.''<br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehobaom</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> answered , '' Come back to me in three days.''</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So the people went away.<br />Then king </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. ''How would you advise me to answer these people?'' he asked.<br />They replied, ''If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, ''What is your advise? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us' ? ''<br /><br />The young men who had grown up with him replied, ''Tell the people who have said to you,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter' - tell them, ''My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' ''<br /><br />Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, as the king had said, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Come back to me in three days.'' The king answered them harshly.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rejecting the advice of the elders he followed the advice of the young men and said, '' My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'' So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nebat</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> through </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ahijah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shilonite</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. ''</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, in this Scripture, we read about </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, who rejects the right advice and opts for a wrong one.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us meditate on the behaviour of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and learn how we must accept right advices in order to keep ourselves blameless in the sight of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is the son of King Solomon.<br /><br />When the Israelites approached him to help them by reducing the hard labour that was upon them, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> first seeks advice from the elders.<br />These elders who also served King Solomon, advised him to make a wise decision, by giving those people a favorable answer.<br /><br />Here we see that God had sent help to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> through these elders, in order for him to make the right decision.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let us read again what the elders said:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Chronicles 10:7 They replied, '' If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer , they will always be your servants.'' ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> rejected this and in turn sought some young men, who grew up with him. He takes up the matter with them and takes their advice as what they want him to do in this issue.<br /><br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, finds delight in what the young men advised him, instead of what the elders advised.<br />And if we meditate on further verses, we can see that the Israelites actually rebelled against </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for this decision.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God sends us His direction and His will for our lives, at every stage, when we seek Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He makes us known the right way to handle things, in the way pleasing to Him.<br /><br />However, many of us fail to keep His word and get carried away by the attractive and simple methods of the world, in order to elevate ourselves before men.<br /><br />If we are to operate in the kingdom of God, we need to heed to God's instruction and stick to the right path.<br /><br />As said in Mark, Kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like little children.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Mark 10:15 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />The path that we must walk, is the path of Jesus.<br />Unless we heed to God's word and receive it like little children, keeping our ego and pride aside, and put the word into practise, we cannot enter the kingdom of God.<br /><br />We need to constantly thrive to keep ourselves blameless before God. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must not only receive the instruction of God, but wholeheartedly, should adhere to it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We must not look at various other options and multiple opinions of people around us, and then pick up what best attracts us.<br /><br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> did get the right piece of advise from the elders.<br /><br />However, he rejects that and chose to pick up the advice of some young men who grew with him. And he felt their advise was more attractive than the one given by the wise people.<br />And he ends up making a wrong decision, when he put his ego above wisdom.<br /><br />Dear precious people, we need to learn to grow into little children, if we are to enter the kingdom of God.<br /><br />We need to become very receptive to the advise of God and be wise, in dealing every matter of our lives.<br /><br />Sometimes there will be some situations that prompt us to make impulsive choices, which might make us feel elevated, as in the case of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<br /><br />Such times we must be extremely cautious that we don't end up taking a wrong step, though superficially it might appear very bold and heroic.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Such decisions will finally become a trap for us.<br /><br />We need to seek the counsel from God and accept the instruction of God like little children and do the right thing as instructed by the Spirit of God.<br /><br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> might have elevated himself before the Israelites by insulting them, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">exhibiting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> arrogance through his authority. This indeed was a very harsh way to answer people.<br />But if we meditate on further verses in this chapter, we learn that people only rebelled against </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for what he had spoken to them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The word of God says that our spirit, soul and body must be kept blameless.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The decisions we make, the words we speak and the way we communicate, matters a lot in pleasing our Father.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' 1 Thessalonians 4:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you are someone who has taken any such impulsive decisions and had spoken harshly, and now find yourself entangled in a mess, now is the time you confess and plead God to sanctify you through and through.<br />And reconcile yourself to God.<br /><br />We need to constantly train ourselves to accept and follow the way of wisdom, and not the way of pride.<br />We must practise this even in the smallest of our affairs.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's only then when big challenges come our way, we will be able to discern the best and the right way to handle.<br /><br />As we see </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was not impulsive.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, he received two advices - one is the advice of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">experience and wisdom,</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> other is the advice of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">inexperience,</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> but he chose the latter.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />If we meditate on the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''advice of the inexperience''</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> given by the young men who grew up with </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehoboam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and why </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rehobaom</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> had chosen that, we can understand that this way of handling things was actually helping him in keeping up his pride.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, keeping up our ego and pride is not what we must focus on.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dealing the matters wisely, heeding to the instruction of God, and allowing God's Spirit to rule our matters, is what should be our goal, as Kingdom people.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ephesians 5:15 - 17 Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise , making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our delight must not lie in elevating ourselves, but must lie in keeping the word of God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The more zealous we become for God and His word, the more greater God will strengthen and exalt us.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is the Kingdom of God that has dominion over everything.<br />And His word alone rules.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, dear chosen child of God, take this opportunity to introspect yourself if the choices and decisions you are making are to satisfy your pride or to please your heavenly Father.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the Spirit of God sanctify our spirit, soul and body, through and through and make us blameless at the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And may the grace of God abound us in accepting the right advices.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless you.</span></b></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-62697989970850335332010-01-21T16:56:00.012+05:302010-03-23T00:15:00.370+05:30Will of God - Isaac and the Wood<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife ...''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />This verse speaks volumes about Abraham's love for God.<br /><br />Isaac was his only son. A son of the promise God gave to Abraham.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We can imagine how much he would have loved to see the son of his own body, born to him in a very good old age. He must have brought him up with utmost care and both Sarah and Abraham would have been so protective about him. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But, this was only until God spoke and wanted Isaac as a sacrifice...</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That very moment, Abraham's love for God made him put his desire under the woods of fire.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac ... ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />The most precious thing for Abraham was asked of him... and immediately, with no hesitation and fuss, his desire went beneath the fire woods to be burnt away.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Will of God was placed on the shoulders of the very promise of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, God will take us all through such situations, in order to test our reverence and faith.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But we all must be ready to put away our earthly desires under the woods of fire, and show that, for us, fear of God is more valuable than any thing else under the sun.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wood, here represents the will of God. ( Will of God was to sacrifice Issac )<br />And Isaac represents our desire, that needs to be sacrificed for God, if God wants us to.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In this process, many a time you may have to forgo people you love, forgo opportunities you have been cherishing, and forgo resources that perhaps are your only source of livelihood, but let them all be placed under the wood </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- be placed under the will of God -</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and uphold the fear of God in every kind of situation that God wants to take you through.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">People may not be able to comprehend the reasons behind your decisions..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They might wonder what on earth are you doing, and you might face questions from them, but handle them according to your belief in God and answer them according to your faith.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Do not get confused and wonder if you are doing the right thing , for the world doesn't know that you are walking with a Living God, and you are not walking alone. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And we walk to please Him. Not the world.</span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 40: 8 - 10</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know O Lord.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our God wants us to proclaim His righteousness, when He takes us through tests.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He doesn't want us to keep it within ourselves and act timid with people, just because we are going through a situation that might seem uncommon for the outside world.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When He takes us through tests, we ought to proclaim His love and faithfulness and speak of His salvation, among the people, whom He is leading us through. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, when Abraham was taking Isaac to give him up as a sacrifice, he did not go just with Isaac.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He took the necessary equipment needed for the sacrifice. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets see what was that:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />''Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife ...''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />So, Abraham carried a knife and fire. Its only with a knife that a sacrifice can be cut. Right ?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Similarly, just as a knife is the only weapon with which one can cut a sacrifice, the Sword of God, which is His word, is the only weapon with which one can cut the desires of soul.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If we are to sacrifice the desires of our soul, then we need this sword.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We need God's strength. We cannot do it all ourselves.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God knows this, hence He gave us Jesus, who has overcome the world for us, so that we can readily give away anything God wants us to give up, with the help of Jesus.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Genesis 27 : 11-14</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ''Abraham! Abraham!''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Here I am,'' he replied.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Do not lay a hand on the boy,'' he said. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, '' On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'' ''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So... When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, was He against Isaac ? </span></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Abraham proved faithful to Him, God sent His angel just in time, and saved the child! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And He even arranged a ram and provided Abraham to sacrifice.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, dear people, do not think that God is against the things that you love, when He asks you to give them up for His sake. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He has higher purposes behind executing His will in our lives - He wants to make our relationship with Him stronger, so that He can take us to higher levels in faith, and entrust us with much higher promises and display His glory in our lives, and use us as weapons for spreading His Kingdom. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just like God sent an angel and provided a ram, and gave back Isaac, looking at your obedience and your fear of Him, God will provide you back all that you have </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'put under the wood'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to do His will.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people, holding the sword of His Word in our hand, let us march ahead ...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">standing firm in faith, upholding our fear of our Lord ..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">placing wood on everything that we need to burn away, in order to please our God...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and let us do the will of God, unswervingly, </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">proclaiming His righteousness, speaking of His love and truth and salvation, </span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">all the way!</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></span></div></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-7175256545955203992010-01-21T16:34:00.005+05:302010-02-11T14:05:50.040+05:30''Someone Touched Me''<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Luke 8: 42- 48 When Jesus was on his way the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no-one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.<br />''Who touched me?'' Jesus asked.<br />When they all denied it, Peter said, ''Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.''<br />But Jesus said, ''Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.''<br /><br />Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.<br />Then he said to her, ''Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.'' ''<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, if we meditate on this Scripture, we see that there are many people in the crowd who almost crushed Jesus, pressing against him.<br />However the touch of this woman, got the attention of Jesus.<br /><br />There was certainly something about this woman, who touched his cloak from behind, that got the attention of our Lord.<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, it is her faith.</span></b></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The power did not flow into any of those people in the crowd, though they were pressing against Jesus, but only to this one woman, who touched him from behind.<br />And that very moment the sickness in her body was healed.<br /><br />This is only because of the faith the woman had.<br /><br />The power in the word of God, similarly, will be revealed to only those who keep their faith in the word and act on the word !<br /><br /><br />Jesus did not react to those many people, but even amidst being pushed by so many people, Jesus mentions about only one person.<br />'' '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Someone</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">' touched me ''<br /><br />Dear people, its only our faith that makes us unique for Jesus and makes Him respond.<br />Just memorising word of God and reading it day and night, without any faith, will not get the attention of our Lord. We cannot please Him by this.<br /><br />We must keep Faith in what we read and hear. And believe every word that He says is true. And apply it in our lives.<br /><br />The woman, knew about Jesus, but did she just stand there expecting something to happen automatically and that she would get healed !?<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">No, She acted !</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />She went from behind silently..only to just touch his cloak.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She apparently seems to be embarassed at the kind of illness she had, and she couldn't dare openly express it in front of all and ask him to pray, but when she saw Jesus and knew about him, she kept her faith in him that she will be delivered, and that even if she could touch the cloak of Jesus she will be healed, no matter how embarassing and awful her condition could be.<br /><br />And in faith, she acted !<br /><br />She made her way from behind, and touched the cloak of the Son of God. That very instant, the power flowed out of Jesus and the illness that no-one could cure for twelve years, was cured instantly.<br /><br />Dear people, no matter how embarassing your situation could be, the problem you are facing could be hanging on over you for years together. But unless you take that step of action in faith, and hold on to the word, you cannot see the power of God flowing into your lives.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' James 2:24, 26 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As the body without spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The power of the Living Word, Jesus, responds only to the touch of Faith.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Touch</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> here, reflects on our </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''action'' or ''deeds.''</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Luke 8 :45 - ''Who touched me?'' Jesus asked.<br />When they all denied it, Peter said, ''Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.'' ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Though people were crowding and pressing against Jesus, none of them could see the power flowing out of him, into them.<br /><br />You might be reading the word day and night, you might be an active member taking part in all your church activities, you might be spending all the time in the four walls of your church building, and feel that you are close to God, but dear child of God, if you do not keep faith in what you are reading, and do not put the word to practice, then you are as as good as those people of the crowd who seldom saw His power flowing into them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lets us read what Jesus says about those who does not put the word into practice :</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> '' Luke 6: 46 - 49 ''Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.'' ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This woman who was suffering from illness, did not have an oppurtunity to face Jesus from front. All she went was from behind, but that one touch of her's, instantly made the power of God flow into her.<br /><br />If you are someone who doesn't know the Bible, who never had an opportunity to attend a church, you may be feeling shy of your conditions and troubles you are going through, but if you can keep your faith in </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus Christ</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, believing He is the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Son of God,</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and that He is able to save you, and if you seek Him with all your heart and trust Him for deliverance from all your troubles at this moment, then this very instant the power of God will flow into your life and will set you free.<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Romans 10: 8 - 13 The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,'' that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ''Jesus is Lord,'' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, '' Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ''Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. '' </span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, ''Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'' ''<br /><br />''Luke 8: 50 Hearing this Jesus said to Jairus, '' Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.'' ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">All Jesus wants you to do is, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">believe.</span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One word from the Lord and the dead people rise up :<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Luke 8: 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, '' My child, get up! '' Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If the dead came back to life at once, will not your dead situations and circumstances come back to life, and be filled with His glory, if you seek Him and act in faith?<br /><br />You may encounter people who may laugh at you for your belief, but it is only because of their ignorance about what the Son of God can do for you!<br /><br />They laughed at Jesus himself as we read in Luke 8:53<br /><br />Do not let the ignorance and the foolishness of people around you weaken your faith.<br /><br />Just believe in the name of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">JESUS</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and reach out to Him in faith.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />He will give all His attention to you and turn around your situations and make you triumph in victory !<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless you.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-14679434236396893692010-01-21T16:18:00.003+05:302010-02-28T21:07:06.408+05:30Abandonment Turned To Truimph<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Kings 13 : 20 - 21 Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. ''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear people, let us meditate on these Scriptures and understand how marvellous are the works of our Heavenly Father and how He can turn our hopeless conditions into triumphant :<br /><br />In this Scripture we see that there was a certain dead man whom the Israelites were burying.<br /><br />And suddenly due to some raiders invading, they were struck with panic and they threw this poor dead man into Elisha's tomb, and ran for their lives.<br /><br />Elisha's tomb probably was just close by them, so they just threw his body into his tomb, and took to their feet to save their lives from the raiders.<br /><br />This incident seems really pathetic from the dead man's end.<br /><br />The body of this man was left desolate without even a proper burial.<br /><br />This kind of abandonment and desolation is something that no one would want to even imagine happening to them after they were gone.<br /><br />Nobody wants their dead bodies to be thrown away this way. Isn't it? Everyone wants to have a proper burial.</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, these people when they threw the body into Elisha's tomb, did not have any pre notions for this dead person.<br /><br />They were only running away to save their lives.<br /><br />They never expected that there is something going to happen in the tomb of Elisha.<br /><br />Poor dead man, now is thrown inside the tomb of a wonderful man of God.<br />And inside the tomb were some bones of Elisha.<br /><br />Dear people of God, for the natural eye and human mind, this whole situation looks so pathetic and hopeless.<br /><br />Even in Elisha's tomb what was there were only his bones. Not Elisha himself, appearing from above in order to perform some miracle.<br /><br />But see what God has done in this dead man's life!<br /><br />The moment the dead body touched the bones of Elisha, God's anointing which was still there in the bones of this great man of God touched his body and he was risen back to life!!<br /><br />The body which was thrown away helplessly, with no one to bother, which was left in desolation, without anyone to care for, came back to life, turning the abandonment into triumph!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This dead man was thrown away only to raise back with a new life!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear people, God's supernatural power and His works are astounding, which cannot be comprehended with human understanding.<br />Elisha need not appear back in the tomb to lay hands on him or call him back to life, but the power of God's anointing in his bones induced life and rose this dead person back to life.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 111 : 2,3 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear people of God, there is nothing impossible for our God.<br /><br />If you are someone who is going through any such situations where it seems so hopeless all around, and people are not treating you properly, or you are always being hurt by others and do not find a string of help from anyone around, dear precious child of God, our God who sent His power through the bones of His servant and rose the dead man, can He not send His power into any dead situation around you, and raise you back to your feet ?<br /><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 18 : 2- 5 '' Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message. ''<br />So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.<br />Then the word of the Lord came to me : '' O house of Israel, can I not do with you as the potter does ? '' declares the Lord. ''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear precious people of God, we are like the clay in our Father's hands and He is our Potter.<br /><br />He shapes us according to His plans and purposes He has for us.<br /><br />Sometimes God will take us through painful trials, only to bring the image He has for us. But this doesn't mean He is abandoning us or leaving us in a helpless situation.<br /><br /><br />If you are someone finding yourself in a shapeless condition, that it seems impossible to come out of the mess, do not be discouraged, but allow the Potter to shape you up all over again.<br /><br />Do not worry if you can't see anyone to care for you, and give you proper attention, care and guidance.<br /><br />Do not worry when you see people rejecting and thrusting you out of their lives and making you appear as a curse, and consider you invaluable and useless.<br /><br />Do not worry when they are leaving your hand in between, abandoning you and running after their own selfishness.<br /><br />Just give yourself wholly into the hands of God, and allow Him to design you.<br />Hold on to Him in faith until He finishes His work in you.<br /><br />He will shape you up and turn around your marred shapeless life into a rare piece of art, and design you as the most beautiful person, that the whole world will look upto. He will make His radiance shine through you, and make people turn their heads, just to have one glimpse at you!<br /><br />It seemed best to God that the dead man be rejected and thrown into Elisha's tomb, so that His anointing could touch him through His servant's bones. And thereby God shaped him up into a beautiful new pot, giving him new life.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Matthew 13: 44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought the field.''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Seek diligently for God's kingdom, and when God draws you closer to Him and you find His kingdom inside you, in your joy you will yourself forgo rest everything that once you were after, and joyfully commit yourself for doing His will.<br /><br />When this man came back to life, he might have surely gone into the town and testified this marvellous thing that God has done for him, and every old person, ripe in age and who was about to die, who heard his testimony, surely might have desired their bodies too be thrown away like him after they were gone, into Elisha's tomb, so that they too can be raised up and come back to life. Isn't it ?<br /><br />Dear people, God can use any cursed situation and turn it around into triumphant events of our lives.<br /><br />If you are someone whom God is speaking this hour, take this message as an invitation from the Most High Potter, and submit your marred life into His hands.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not worry how He is going to shape you and what He will mould you into!<br /><br /></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just say,</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Father, here I submit my marred life into Your hands.<br />I am shapeless, no one wants to look at me..<br />no one wants to even talk to me..<br />no one even welcomes me into their homes..<br />I feel so desolate and hopeless..<br />Father, here I am, take me into Your hands wholly, and shape me up..<br />design me all over again...<br />Make Your radiance shine through me...that I may proclaim Your greatness and glorify Your name.<br />In Jesus name I pray, amen.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />May the Spirit of the Living God touch you as you say this prayer and begin His marvellous work in your life, and shape you up into the image that the Maker has for you.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 109 : 28 They may curse but you will bless.'' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Psalm 109 : 30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him. ''<br /><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-11671119400385868552010-01-21T16:00:00.002+05:302010-01-27T13:52:29.765+05:30Crookedness In Disguise<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' 2 Chronicles 35 : 20 - 24 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco, king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. But Neco sent messengers to him saying, ''What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah ? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war.God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you. ''<br />Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.<br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, '' Take me away; I am badly wounded.'' So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs and Jerusalem mourned for him.''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, as the Spirit of God helps us, let us meditate on these Holy Scriptures, and understand how God deals with crookedness.<br /><br />Many of us, in some situations turn to crooked ways and deceive those who are at peace with us. People wear a charming personality outwardly, but inwardly devise wicked schemes for their neighbors.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 26 : 24-26 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbours deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.<br />His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the above Scriptures, we read that King Josiah was warned by King Neco that it is on God's command he is fighting , and that he is not coming against him.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So he should stop opposing him.<br /><br />King Neco seems to be at peace with King Josiah.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, Josiah doesn't listen to him, but marches against him in disguise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He spurned the word of God, that King Neco spoke.<br /><br />Josiah acted in a crooked way, and tried to deceive someone who is at peace with him.<br />But God enabled King Neco to overcome King Josiah and thereby the archers shot him and he is badly wounded in the battle field. He was then brought to Jerusalem where he died.<br /><br />Word of God clearly says in Jeremaih 51 : 56 that our God is a God of retribution.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 51 : 56 For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />If people act in wickedness, and disguise themselves to play around with the people of God, God pays them back in full.<br /><br />Though Josiah was warned by Neco, he marched against him in disguise.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He probably felt if he is in disguise no one can make out is identity.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Josiah could not escape the eyes of God, and the archers shot him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people of God, be careful that you watch your hearts and keep them clean from any sort of crookedness towards your neighbors.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do not deceive yourselves thinking, if you change your attire and your outlook, wearing the disguise of a sweet persona, you can go unnoticed of your unfaithful acts.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Proverbs 26 : 23 Like a cloating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Many people try to take advantage of the goodness of those who are living at peace with them. And in disguise speak extremely polite, but in reality they would be digging a pit for them.<br /><br />Here is what the word of God says about such people :<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ecclesiastes 10 : 8, 9 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.''<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Psalm 7:4 ,5 If I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe - then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are people who act very diplomatic in order to get their business done, by harming others, and to create hindrances to others' progress.<br /><br />This happens not only at work places but also within family relationships.<br /><br />These behaviours basically have their roots in feelings like jealousy, ego, envy, threat and prejudice.<br /><br />Acting in disguise implies Pretention.<br /><br />Dear people, if your family members or your colleagues or neighbors are living at peace with you, and you pretend to be in peace with them, but inside harbour filthiness of jealousy and envy, and set traps for them, or harm them, remember that the word of God condemns such crookedness, and our God, who is a God of retribution, will pay back in full, and the stone that we rolled on them will be rolled back on us.<br /><br />We have seen what happened to King Josiah.<br />Though he received the word of God from Neco, and was being warned not to oppose, he did not bother, but advanced himself against him in disguise, thinking King Josiah will not make out, but he fell victim to the shots of the archers.<br /><br />This hour, dear child of God, as we are meditating, if the Spirit of God is convicting you of any such crookedness your heart is harbouring for your neighbors, confess before God and cleanse yourself.<br /><br />Do not ignore the convictions, or the devil will get hold of you completely, and if you still march ahead, you will be only going towards the same pit that you probably are digging for someone. In the ways you don't expect, the stone that you are rolling, will be rolled back on you.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are few people among us, who, in order present themselves clean, show their adversaries as the most sinful of all, even at times, they present a Scriptural backing to their philosophies.<br /><br />Let us see what the word of God says about such of us:<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Isaiah 5 :20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. ''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />In order to justify their crookedness some of us call evil good, and good evil.<br /><br />They devise harmful schemes, but present them as beneficial.<br /><br />They intend destruction and plot schemes of darkness and call it light.<br /><br />They repay evil for good and give back bitter for sweet.<br /><br />These people are extremely good at manipulation.<br /><br />Dear people of God, let us read what the word of God says if we indulge ourselves in such behaviours.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us read from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isaiah 5 : 20 - 25<br />'' Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.<br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight .<br /><br />Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.<br /><br />Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.<br /><br />Therefore the Lord's anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets.''<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Therefore dear redeemed people of the Most Holy God, keep yourselves holy and blameless and clean in the sight of God.<br /><br />Lets read what we must do, as God's people, when we see someone falling into a trap :<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 24 : 12 Rescue those being led away to death;<br />hold back those staggering towards slaughter.<br />If you say, '' But we knew nothing about this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it ? Does not he who guards your life know it ?<br />Will he not repay each person according to what he has done ? ''<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />'' Proverbs 24 : 28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. ''<br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May God grant us grace to diligently work towards keeping our hearts pure and clean from every crookedness and deceit.<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God Bless You.</span></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2775263965728415365.post-43001847452560639062010-01-21T13:25:00.004+05:302010-01-27T14:15:56.809+05:30Duplicacy In Prophets<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dear people, let us meditate on some Scriptures and understand how duplicacy arises in the prophets.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Proverbs 11:6 but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When God begins to use a person for His work, He takes him through some trails and thereby throughly refines him, making him faithful to his word and instruction.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And once our spirit is filled with His Holy Spirit and our soul become faithful to Him, we clearly start hearing the voice of God and understand the message of God.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And our minds would have been renewed with the word, and we think according to the Word. We would have overcome the desires of the world through our faithfulness towards God, during the process when God has been training us for His work.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We wil be diligent in upholding our faith and thereby will see the glory of God filling our lives, and meeting all our needs and granting us deliverance from every evil situation.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, this relationship and intimacy with God must be practiced regularly with diligence.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One must carefully and continuously preserve oneself from the evil of the world.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 153, 255); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This means, our soul must remain faithful to the Spirit all the time, in order to hear and interpret the voice of God.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because the message of God will come through our spirit first, then pass from spirit to the soul, that is mind for interpretation, and then spoken out.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So there is path that the message from God takes inside the man: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From God's Spirit to our spirit -->from our spirit to our soul, which is mind --->and then spoken out.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The desires of the spirit are divine and heavenly.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And our soul must be nourished with word of God every moment, and minds renewed with the Word, transforming us according to God's purposes, and our soul must desire the same as the Spirit.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, if the soul again begins to desire the world and its comforts, then unfaithfulness enters between soul and Spirit.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hence it is said in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> '' Proverbs 11:6 ..but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. ''</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, this means, if the soul(mind) starts to think outside of the Word of God, and harbours desires that are not inline with the Spirit's, then soul becomes unfaithful to the Spirit.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In such a condition, the voice of God when passes through the soul for interpretation, will not be accurately interpreted. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because they get manipulated due to the evil prevalent in the soul, and will be interpreted according to the desires of the soul.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then when they are spoken out, will not have the truth in them.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And thus makes that person a duplicate on the outside.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hence people who are called to serve God and are gifted with the gifts of prophesy, and visions must be very careful and keep a close check on their ''desires,'' lest they become duplicates on the outside, even without realising, if their desires are not inline with the Spirit's.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 11:6 but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">''Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them but the unfaithful are destroyed by their </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">duplicity.</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us now look at some scriptures in Jeremiah 23 and in Ezkiel 13 that speak concerning false prophets.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23:16 They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />This Scripture confirms what we have studied in the above passage - that if the soul becomes unfaithful to the Spirit, the interpretations will be out of the mind of that person, and not the exact message that God wants them to tell.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When people prophesy in such condition of unfaithfulness, they only speak from their own spirits and minds :</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Ezekiel 13: 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing !''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, why does this happen?<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What must be done in order to escape this trap the enemy lays for Gods people.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23 : 18 But </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">which of them has stood in the council of the Lord, to see or to hear his word ?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Who has listened and heard his word ? ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23:21, 22 I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But if they had stood in my council</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, it is very important for any servant of God prophesying in the name of God, to first</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> stand in the the council of God in order to hear the word of God.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Spending time in His presence (standing in His council ), prophets must check themselves in the light of HIS word, and then humbly receive what God lays in their spirits for HIS people.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But if such servants are careless, and become 'self confident' instead of keeping their confidence in God and in His WORD, their visions and dreams will be out of their own minds - and not from God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23:25, 26 I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of this lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? ''<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23 :28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?'' declares the Lord. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Is not my word like a fire,'' declares the Lord, ''and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'' ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Dear people, God compares such people to straw - and says that His word is like fire that will consume away the straw!<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 23:30-32 ''Therefore,'' declares the Lord, ''I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes,'' declares the Lord. I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare the Lord declares. Indeed I am against those who porphesy false dreams, '' declares the Lord. ''They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,'' declares the Lord. ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So dear people, this Scripture gives us a clear warning and also gives explanation on false visions, false dreams and false prophets.<br /><br />These are the kind whom God does not send, but they are those who, out of their own minds and their own delusions, prophesy into your lives, and such prophesy will not have their base on the Word, and they speak recklessly.<br /><br />And the reason is clearly stated in Jeremiah 23:21, that this is because they had not waited in the council of God, due to their unfaithfuless, and they speak only out of their minds and their own spirits.<br /><br />Therefore be very careful that you do not chase any vision or a dream or a prophesy - that seems reckless, and that does not have a Scriptural backing.<br /><br />In Jeremiah 5 : 12 -14 such false prophets are compared to wind:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Jeremiah 5:12 -14 They have lied about the Lord; they said, '' He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine. The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them.''</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says, '' Because these people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.'' ''</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Have you anytime wondered the make up or the nature of wind? It is empty and blows uncertainly.<br /><br />Similarly, these false prophets do not have their roots in the word of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They just get carried away by some earthly philosophies, and what their human spirits give them, by instincts, and they ignore the Word completely.<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'' Colossians 2 : 8-10 See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fulness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority. ''<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore dear people, be very careful about testing the spirits, when you consider someone a prophet of God, and steadfastly rely on the word of God for every direction you need in your lives.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's Pray ..</span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father, in the name of Jesus, I release a hedge of protection around Your people, that no false prophet will lead them astray from Your plans.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I pray that Your Spirit of knowledge rests on them and grants them revelation and knowledge to test and know the spirits.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I cover them under the blood covering of Jesus Christ, and break every evil power that's trying to take them captive through false prophesies.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May the light Your word shine on them and set them free.<br />In Jesus name I pray, Amen.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God bless You.</span></span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com