tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58843034451488407892024-03-05T06:28:41.230-08:00Spiritual SurroundingsThe sometimes profound and sometimes ponderous musing of a Christian teen.B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-1629955524766700622012-08-26T11:22:00.003-07:002012-08-26T11:22:21.799-07:00Persevering In PrayerIt has once again been too long since I last posted, and for that I apologize. I must admit that I 'made' time for this post...simply because after what happened at church today, I THINK it may be a little necessary. I would definitely have to say that this is one of my more favorite passages from Luke. (Okay, that's not necessarily true). Luke definitely has to be my favorite recording of the Gospel (yeah, kinda wrong, I know), and I am very familiar with the passages. Anyway, it comes from Chapter 18 verses 1 through 8. Here I will post it for you:<br />
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And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to whis elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”<br />
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We had a good time of prayer after the sermon. I watched as a bunch of people came forward and fell upon their knees. I will say this: There is nothing better then that feeling, seeing people humble themselves before God. I can definitely say that when you're in that position of heart, sure, doubts will come...but IN that position, there's very little the devil can accomplish against you. (I know I'm crossing all sorts of lines there, but that's how I feel). Anyway, let's hop right into this!<br />
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The first point we see:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. At All Times, We Ought To Pray.</span><br />
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First off and foremost, note that this 'ought' in verse 1 is really not only a suggestion. It really has an idea of necessity. As humans, we are completely prone to lose heart and wander. To me, this definitely brought a portion of a song: "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love, here's my heart o take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.". Very much so, we are prone to wander and lose heart. I sure am.<br />
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You may also be able to connect them in this way: If you lead a life that's characterized by prayer, you probably won't be prone to lose heart as much. (Now, I know that's not ALWAYS the case.). Now my pastor brought up some serious thoughts on the matter: To give up on prayer, in essence, is giving up on God. When you use the 'excuse' of "Well, it's good and all, I just don't have time. My schedule doesn't work to pray a lot.". Waaiiiiiiit....You only say that to things that are of no importance to you. Is communication with God, asking Him for help in things, of no importance to us? I oughta think about what I just said there before I'm tempted to use that excuse.<br />
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Before we get a bit deeper, I must clarify something. ALWAYS. Uhm, what am I saying there exactly? That I shouldn't hang out with any friends because I need to always be praying? No, no, I'm not saying that. I love what my pastor said on this matter: It's more of, don't cease to pray. Whhhaat? Doesn't that mean the same thing? Well, that's what I'm tempted to think. But the moment my pastor said 'military tactic'...in not 'ceasing'...what that means is they charge, pull back and regroup, and then charge again. Now, repeat. Then repeat again. And again. And onto infinity. That's what 'don't cease to pray' means. We take a break, sometimes regroup with friends or (and, definitely no matter what) the Holy Spirit. The other thing is that prayer isn't necessarily limited to just speaking words with closed eyes and an open heart to our Heavenly Father...it's a lifestyle. It's praising Him for who He is and what He does for us.<br />
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Before we actually move on to the 'parable', I would also say this: From what I've said, do NOT BY ANY MEANS think that I'm saying, "Hey, you, pray more! Pray, pray, pray!". I mean, sure, we all need to pray more. But prayer is one of those things that you can always theoretically 'do better' in. We can always be better, therefore we can't be satisfied. But that' just the thing: It's no performance! It's nothing that'll get you from Hell to Heaven (or vice versa). Here's the point though: Does leading a prayer-less life characterize our lives? The answer is to not say, "Oh, I need to change that.". You need to ask WHY that is, not how to change it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. A Main Reason We Lose Heart In Prayer is the Delays in God's Answers.</span><br />
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Yeaaah, that's a big one, certainly. Here is where we start to answer that 'why' question. It often seems that God doesn't answer our prayers as rapidly as we want Him to. But remember: What is rapidly to Him isn't rapid to us. We're but a moment, He's always been. We don't really understand His Eternal Perspective on things.<br />
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We go on to the parable. The main thing to note here are the characters.<br />
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1 Character: A selfish, unrighteous, wicked Judge. You get the idea that he doesn't really care about justice, he doesn't care about anyone, just himself.<br />
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2 Character: A needy widow, who relentlessly comes to the wicked judge for justice. (Note: In that time, it was much harder for widows then it is today [Not that it's NOT difficult for them today] in the sense that women weren't really allowed to own anything, and when their husband passed away, they received anything that was left and had to live off of it. [which is usually little]. Here, Jesus seems to make it apparent that someone has removed this widow's source of livelihood. That's why she's desperate, and relentless in approaching the judge.).<br />
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As you follow the story, Jesus shows that eventually the wicked judge gives her justice just because he didn't want her to bug him. Now don't misunderstand here. Yes, the widow represents us. And no, the wicked judge doesn't represent God, we know that. Here's the thing though: If a wicked person can give justice by being annoyed into it, won't a perfect, loving and caring judge give justice to those whom He loves and gave His life for? Exactly! He does! But again, it's difficult for us to see that at times. It's really hard at times, I know. But He is faithful, His timing is always perfect. We are promised that He WILL give us justice, and help us in our time of need. Even rapidly, He says. But we have to go by God's 'rapidly'...not our own definition of rapidly. (I'll continue this train of thought in a moment).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">III. In Order To Pray Unceasingly, We Need To Understand Ourselves, and We Need To Understand God.</span><br />
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I've already given you a lot to 'understand' about God, and there's much more, and much more no one understands at all! But we're revealed some things. According to other Scriptures, we know of God's Faithfulness, Omnipotence and Omniscience. He's powerful, and can do anything He wants. So when He doesn't answer our prayers, it's NOT that He's unable to do it. We know that He's able. We also know that He works all for our good, even if we can't see it as good. Don't freak out about an issue that He's not answering: If He's not answering, then you don't need it solved quite yet, and God knows that.<br />
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What about us? Well, we know that we're not at all powerful in any minuscule way...otherwise, you know, we wouldn't really need Him, now would we? As humans, we're frail, we lose heart and give up easily. We often are grieved by mistreatment (from other humans, because God never mistreats us. He treats us so oppositely from that, when you realize what we really deserve) and difficult trials. (Or seemingly mistreatment from difficult trials). God's Will is Sovereign, and He works all for good...so these things are necessary. Our position in life is necessary, otherwise, it completely disproves everything about the Gospel and the Bible. Also, we must never cease to bring to Him our troubles and heartfelt needs. He listens. He knows. There's a song by Fireflight that's called He Weeps...and He Weeps for you, and loves you. Know that! Just remember the importance on His timing. (I know I'm repeating myself...but I wouldn't repeat it if it wasn't serious). Also, we should NEVER question God's Faithfulness. The Bible in so many different places has shown us that various people have asked the question: "God, where are you? Why have you abandoned me?". We must be concerned with OUR faithfulness. The issue is that we have a lack of it, and we must acknowledge it. Perhaps in prayer, you may also express that. We ought to be sad and distressed at our lack of faithfulness, and realize that any attempt of ours to be more faithful won't really do much. Perhaps in addition to asking Him for help in our time of need, we could say, "Hey, God...I don't feel like I'm trusting you. I mean, I know you can be trusted. I know that. But I feel my faith lacking. Give me the strength to believe that this is all according to your plan." <---and it really does. Always. If a problem isn't solved, then God will solve it...when He solves it. But He loves to hear you ask anyway. Amen?<br />
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<br />B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-53707476838758956092012-08-08T11:02:00.000-07:002012-08-08T11:02:40.067-07:00Increase The MasterI apologize, it has been again too long of a time since I've had a post. Perhaps maybe, I can post a few this week!!! :) We shall see. Anyway, I really enjoyed this sermon. Here's what the sermon kind of wraps around:<br />
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Only those who honor the master are able and humble servants.<br />
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Here is the scripture: Luke 17:1-10: And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly,4 and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;5 we have only done what was our duty.’”<br />
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Let's jump right into this. To me, this is a very strong passage. It throws a burden onto my soul, and I'm sure that's the case with you as well. The thing that Jesus talks about first deals with this:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. The Reality Of The World.</span><br />
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How is the world? The world throws temptations at us. It is <i>sure</i> to come. In our use of words today, we don't use the word 'sure' as a certainty, but that's what Jesus is meaning. It is <i>impossible</i> for temptations to <i>not</i> come after us. (Yeah, I know, there's a saying that says, "Even the word itself says, 'I'm Possible!" but leave that for now). The other thing is that it is better for us to be dead then to lead others in to sin. <br />
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A little further down (And really His whole point of the dialogue) is that as humans, we don't like to 'serve' others. <i>We</i> would rather be served. We like to rest. We like to sleep. We don't like to work. And we certainly don't like to work on the 'beyond' point that our Lord calls us to. There are certain things that most of us will lay a line and not cross into. That leads us really to the next point.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. The Role Of The Kingdom Subjects.</span><br />
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What is our role? I touched on it above. Jesus went through a description of how it would be better for us to die then to lead others in to sin. But because we all sin, He calls us to be brothers and sisters to one another. We must pay attention to ourselves and others. When we see one of our brothers or sisters sin, we must rebuke them. But this is <i>rebuking</i>, not <i>condemning</i>. When you rebuke one another, you do it comfortingly. Although it is true that they'll be in for a lot of trouble if they don't repent, they aren't destined for Hell just because of it. We must keep each other accountable to God's commands in love, not in hate. And after rebuking, we must forgive. We must forgive and forgive, no matter how many times we're hurt or sinned against.<br />
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This all ties together in one knot. The reality of the world, is that also, as humans...we don't want to forgive. When someone hurts or sins against us, our first response is to get angry. We don't want to be friendly with them. We want to attack them back, but such ways are sinful and Jesus calls us to do the opposite. We <i>must</i> forgive, which is a very hard thing to do.<br />
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Remember that a church cannot grow without rebuke. It can't mature spiritually. It cannot, and it will not. He doesn't call us to just say, "I forgive you." to that person that sinned against us. The tongue can utter words, but the heart may not grasp or believe the words we send out. We must say it, and we must mean it.<br />
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Forgiveness is hard to do, right? Well, That's certainly the Disciples' response. But I want to leave you with something before we move on. In order to 'be able to forgive', think of Jesus' forgiveness. He forgave you and I to the point of giving His life for us. The debt He had to pay for us all was a great sum. If we can truly understand what that means, we should be easily able to forgive and move on. After all, our situations against each other are different then the ones we have with our Creator, but the same model applies. We may not have to go to what Jesus did to forgive us, but there will be sacrifices. There's always sacrifices.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">III. The Disciple's Response</span><br />
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Their response is truly interesting. "Increase our Faith!", they cry. Why? Because they realize that alone in themselves, they can't do it. They want Jesus to increase their faith more so that they can handle forgiving and caring for others. They stayed with Him even when others left. Perhaps we will stay with Him when others leave and give up, but no matter what, we're all weak. We all need more strength. There's no way to do things without Him.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">IV. Jesus' Response</span><br />
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The Lord's response is very stunning. A mustard seed is a really small thing, and yet, if we had that amount of faith, we could tell a tree to uproot itself and throw itself into the ocean. Ouch. If it only required that amount of faith, I'm pretty sure all of us (or at least me, definitely) have no faith whatsoever. And yet, look at how much God has done for us? And yet we're unfaithful, and sometimes have doubts. There are certain thoughts of mine though, that think it's not just a physical thing. I'm reminded of other things, like the story of when Jesus walked on water. When they're in the boat in a storm, and they have a lack of faith. Mountains, storms, trees. I think that they represent different kinds of 'troubles' or 'trials' that we go through. If we have enough faith, we can put them aside. Or we can put them aside into God's ocean, which He controls. Do I make sense in that frame of reference?<br />
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It is sometimes fascinating in how Jesus seems to not answer their questions on things. Or our questions, for that matter. And then something odd as well: He answers our questions. At least, what we <i>should</i> be asking. Sometimes we have a habit of not asking the right questions. We ask for more faith, instead of Him to show Himself more to us. In order to become 'more able and humble', we have to do just that.<br />
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For one moment, Jesus pulls us out of our real position, and gives us the view of the Master. We are the servants, but He gives us that look. Should the Master bless the servant who has only done what he's been commanded to do? Not really, because that's what he's <i>supposed</i> to do. Not only does the servant have to get everything that he's supposed to do done, but he needs to 'wait' on the Master before he can even think of feeding himself.<br />
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So first off, Jesus saves us from doom. Second, He makes His servants (us) cease causing others to sin and start pointing them to life. Thirdly, Jesus authorizes them (us, His servants) to do the impossible. Spiritual troubles won't be too difficult, He gives us the power to overcome them. Even if we can't do what someone would call 'impossible', the <i>nature</i> of what we are able to do in His power is extraordinary, and all in itself seemingly impossible. <br />
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<br />B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-9540334254578155932012-06-27T09:19:00.000-07:002012-06-27T09:19:03.927-07:00God's Lost and FoundI apologize, I have once again become very lazy in coming out with posts. I've been a little busy, but most definitely not busy as I say I've been, that much is for certain. The post on this sermon comes from almost three weeks ago. Of course, I did lose my notes and my Bible for a time, but they were found on Sunday. :)<br />
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Anyway, this sermon focuses in on the beginning of Luke chapter 15. Primarily the two parables: The Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin. Unfortunately, I feel like it's a bit too long to put up here, so I would ask of you to look up Luke 15: 1-10. If you do not have a Bible, just Google it, and that should take care of it. :)<br />
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Really, so many sermons of different types can be preached from Chapter 15. SO many. Lots. But we see several things in just the first little verses of the selection. The focus that we'll take is looking at how God goes to great effort to seek and find the lost...and that He really REJOICES when the Lost have been Found.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. Sinners Are Lost Until God Finds Them.</span><br />
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Pay attention the seemingly Biblical description of Sinners here: They are Lost, not unsaved. It's not that everyone is just 'unsaved'. We are all God's, and we were before. But our society has rebelled against and forgotten.<br />
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Look at the Pharisees' comment when they see Him receiving 'sinners' and 'tax collectors'. They <i>GRUMBLE </i>and <i>COMPLAIN</i>. I believe you see several different things in Jesus' response. Oh how I wish Luke could have gone into more detail about HOW Jesus responded. When I read over his response in the parable, I just feel as if He seems to be laughing at their complaints. I also think that verse four holds some interesting stuff.<br />
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<i>"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?"</i><br />
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I believe that in saying this, Jesus gets a little bit more into their hearts. They don't really care for anyone...they don't care about the sinners and tax collectors around them. In their eyes, they are just 'filth'. But that's not how Jesus sees them. It almost seems as if Jesus is asking a sarcastic question...saying that this OUGHT to be the way they go about things...but yet they don't. And if they don't...what does that say of them to everyone else? They're heartless, and cold. So many times, we act like this: Heartless and cold, not really caring. We say we do, but we don't really...and we become self righteous. (Which we'll get into more with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which will be the next blog post. :)).<br />
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Another thing that the Pharisees may be thinking: It's just one sheep, you have ninety-nine others. Why is the absence of one such a big deal? But Jesus says it is. He cares more for the one that is lost then the ninety-nine that are found and safe. The other thing is that sheep are 'dumb'. They can't find their way back to their master, the master must go and find the sheep. In the same way, we are represented as sheep, my friends. We are unable to find our way back to Him...but that doesn't stop Him from coming after us.<br />
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Which leads us to our second point:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. God Goes To GREAT Effort To Seek Lost Sinners.</span><br />
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It even went to the point where He gave His very LIFE for us to be found. What Love is this? What Grace is this? Too much for my weak-willed mind to understand or fully define. Let's take a look at both of the Parables at the same time.<br />
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What does the Shepherd and the woman do similarly?<br />
<br />Well, they both search UNTIL they have found what they're looking for. They don't ever give up, or rest. They constantly work at pursuing and seeking...until they have found it. In the same way, my friends...That's how Jesus comes after us. He won't give up, and He will keep after us, even if we try to get further away from Him. Aye, you could even say that Jesus used these two examples to try and describe how He cares for us: But I tell you, although it's a GREAT illustration...it really doesn't even completely cover it, it just gives us an idea. How great my friends, is this idea?<br />
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He takes the initiative in seeking us, and as I've already pointed out, it doesn't matter to Him the personal cost of this search. This then gets us to our third point:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">III. God Rejoices Greatly When Lost Sinners Come To Repentance.</span><br />
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We will see more of this in the following post on the Prodigal Son. But we still see it here as well: The Pharisees care nothing about those being found. They think that they're found and they're in the right, but that's just the point: They've deceived themselves into thinking that they are one of the elect, when really, they're just as lost as anyone else is.<br />
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The real call for those of us who are already Christians is this: Jesus rejoices greatly when the Lost are Found. He invites us to take part in that joy. He also invites us to take part in the search for Lost souls.<br />
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How joyful were we when we were found? I've grown up a Christian myself...but I never really understood how sinful I was until last year. I experienced a joy that one can't really even fathom...and when others are found by Christ, that'll be their reaction. Don't we want to be a part of that search? Don't we want to come alongside them and rejoice with them?<br />
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Here's something else: Even our great joy at being saved and found cannot even come close to the joy that God has in finding us! He is in rejoicing of an amount that no word or picture can accurately describe. He wants us to taste that joy by sharing His heart for the Lost. When we see His heart for the Lost accurately, it's really powerful. Desiring to follow and be like our Lord...we can't get such a heart as His, but we can imitate it to the best of our abilities.<br />
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We are represented by the sheep: We aren't of really true value. But then we're also represented by a coin: Not that WE are precious, but God DEEMS us as precious. To Him, we're all precious. No matter who you are and what you have done...You're precious to Him. Us sinners of evil and filth, (and I deem myself really high on the list of the worst) are precious to Him. Mind blown.<br />
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<i><br /></i>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-78373328900888809432012-06-04T12:36:00.003-07:002012-06-04T12:36:21.722-07:00The Cost of DiscipleshipYesterday's sermon was really strong. We're talking <i>REALLY</i> strong. At least it was for my case. It comes from Luke 14: 25-35. That's a lot of verses, but I'm going to put it on here anyway.<br />
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"25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.<br />
34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”<br />
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My pastor came up with a first point that at first confused me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. It Is Possible To Follow Christ Superficially.</span><br />
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Let me describe this meaning. (At first, I did not get it at all). This comes in verse 25. 'Now Great Crowds accompanied Him, and he turned and said to them.' If you think about it for a minute, you notice that there's a lot following Him. But Jesus turns and says some shocking things. So you kind of get the sense by 'superficially' that it's not 'truthfully'. There were lots in that group that just wanted to see signs. <br />
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From the past teaching, we learned that His Gospel was Free. Yes, Salvation is free, all you have to do is Believe (and follow) Jesus. As you follow Christ, you sacrifice all else. He bought you with His own precious Blood, and since He gave it all for you, wouldn't it make sense to give all to Him?<br />
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Another thing is that some were following just to have better lives. But Jesus denounces that theory. We don't follow just for our own good or the sake of following, we must follow Him as one would follow his master and do all that his Master has commanded of him. You cannot see Him as just the Savior, without seeing Him as the Lord of your very life. He is the Master, and calls you how to live. That brings us to the second point.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. To Follow, We MUST 'Sit Down' and Consider the Cost.</span><br />
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We need to consider the phrases: <i>"Sit down and count the cost" </i>and <i>"sit down first and deliberate"</i>.<br />
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We must consider and count the cost of every single activity we do. (Not literally, necessarily, but pretty closely). Sure, the Holy Spirit does move in you on a quick moment, but for the most part, we need to stop and consider things. It's not that we consider the cost of following Him as what we lose, but how He asks us to follow Him.<br />
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And then Jesus starts to say some 'shocking' things, and these things that He says have been vastly misunderstood by some people. What He says in verse 26 needs some careful, and special attention. It seems like a contradiction to the rest of the Bible, but it's not. He's saying that you must hate your family in comparison with your love for Jesus. At the moment, that doesn't hold very much credibility with us.<br />
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But maybe I can help you understand that with this description: Think of the Twelve. They left their families to follow Him. That makes me think that this means, if you want to follow Jesus, and your family doesn't...it's better for you to choose to follow Him rather then stay with your family.<br />
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The next one is something that I struggle with. <i>We must hate our own life</i>. Now, see, in that literal sense, I'm completely fine with it. Of course, I don't really hate my life anymore...but back in 2011, I did. But here's the point: He means that if you're under persecution, you must not renounce Him on account of your life. In other words, be willing to get killed for your views on Christianity. In America, at the moment, that's not really something we have to worry about. But, what if you wish to be a Missionary to China or a similar country that is very violent towards Christian thoughts? That will definitely come into play. So the issue with me, is that I do think I would be able to hand my life over to another, since I almost took it myself on more then one occasion.<br />
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<i>We must carry our own Cross</i>. This one has been viewed differently at nearly every turn. My mom pointed out that it meant something different in older Baptist teaching. It seemed to lean more towards a 'works' thing. As if somehow, we try to make our own way after Christ has already done it. 'Carrying Our Cross' is a very interesting picture. Back in those days, criminals were forced to pick up their cross and carry it to their execution site. Don't misunderstand me: Not all of us will be martyred for our faith, as I've already said. But this is what it represents: Finality. When we pick up our cross, there's no turning back. It's a really hard thing to grasp.<br />
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We are also to give up all our possessions for Him. I'm not saying we go and sell everything we have and give the money to a charity. What I AM saying, is this: If an item in our possession becomes too central in our aim that it blocks Christ, we need to toss it away. Or, He may call us at some point to give it away for a cause that He's moving. It's hard to discern what that may be, but it's probably more of a 'feeling' thing. Going along this command, He is to be higher then anything else in life.<br />
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For me personally, there are some things that greatly affected me. It went along the lines of hating your life, as I went through above. Along those lines, I got to thinking about how low I hold myself. As I said, I don't really actually 'hate' my life anymore. But I hold myself in low places. In practicality, I don't hold myself as being a better person then anyone else, however, I hold that I'm in a better spot because of what God has done for me.<br />
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On Saturday night, I went to a dance party after a Graduation ceremony. I got really sick...but even still, I really wanted not to dance, because it's 'not my thing.'. But...WHY is it not my thing? Everyone seems to enjoy it. I take joy in other ways, but it's not really 'joyful' circumstances. I never really liked dancing or parties because it was too close to what the world enjoys. But in reality, it's not quite so. Man took partying to another level that in Heaven, isn't intended. However, God does call us to 'sing and dance'. And I realize that in my low spot, I don't want anything to do with something that to me feels almost worldly (even if it's not quite). And I look down on those who do it with a judging eye.<br />
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What I have failed to realize as well, is that...Low and Broken is its own source of arrogance and pride. I take too much pride in the fact of what God has done for me, and feel that He has placed me higher then others. But it's really odd, see, because I'm not wrong in what I'm looking at. I'm half-wrong in how I look at it, and half-right. I have the right intentions and thoughts, but yet end up at the wrong way of how it is. So odd, is everything. The main point, however, is I'm prideful and arrogant, and desperately need to change.<br />
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<br />B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-11485693232987409522012-05-20T13:43:00.001-07:002012-05-20T13:43:28.453-07:00Jesus' Heart & The Hard-HeartedThe sermon today really affected me. Actually, the whole service affected me. Good 'old' worship songs (for the most part, 'older' at least) to start with, bringing up the spirit, and then diving into a great teaching. Maybe you'll be as affected as I was. The passage is from Luke 14: 1-6:<br />
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<i>One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things.</i><br />
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You can really tell that Luke tries to paint a picture that shows the difference between the state of Jesus' heart and the state of the Pharisees' hearts. So really, the first thing that we shall look at is....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. The Pharisees' Heart</span><br />
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Luke lets us know something in the first verse. Where are the Pharisees' eyes? On Jesus. But you get the sense that they're not watching Him with reverence as His Disciples did. They are watching Him 'carefully'<--They're trying to trap Him. They're completely ignoring the man who's obviously sick. The word 'Dropsy' probably doesn't mean much to us, but it's really a serious disease. Somewhat of like a human being 'swelling' all over.<br />
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Although Luke never actually <i>tells</i> us what the Pharisees did, he <i>did</i> say that Jesus responded--with a question in verse 3. Verse 4 shows the Pharisees silent, and unresponsive. The Pharisees didn't really answer Jesus' question for several reasons. The first one is probably that there aren't actually any verses in the Law Of Moses that <i>says</i> you can't heal people on the Sabbath Day. No idea ever exists. If they were to answer 'yes, it is against the Law to heal on the Sabbath', they knew that that would give Jesus ground, even though He says it anyway in verse 5. If they answered, it would really <i>show</i> how inconsistent their values were. Jesus' values went against what they held to be true, even though it was false, according to Jesus.<br />
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So the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus, and 'ignored' the sick man. But if this whole situation was designed to 'trap' Jesus, they not only <i>IGNORED </i>the poor fellow, but <i>USED</i> him. That is a very sad picture. The Values held by the Pharisees breaks down their followers by rules and traditions. Jesus heaps Grace on His followers. Luke really 'unveils' the warped scale of Values that the Pharisees held on to.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But Wait...There's Something Else......</span><br />
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Too quickly, will we desire to 'bonk' the heads of the Pharisees and say, "Do you <i>not</i> see this?! How do you still <i>NOT</i> understand?!". Too <i>LATE</i>, we seem to realize that this is a warning for us today. We want to say, "Yeah, we're like Jesus in this type of situation". Well...that may be all well and true...but then it may not be. It's too easy to feel like you have it together, and you don't really want to or think that you need to change some things. Hold onto this last point as we look through on the next point, and that will kind of build a few bridges.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. Jesus' Heart</span><br />
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Really, every action that Jesus takes in this sequence of events reveals things about His Character. The Pharisees invited Jesus to dine with them. Jesus, along with others, obviously know that the Pharisees have it out for Him. If you knew that someone was plotting to kill you, would you without question accept an invitation? I probably wouldn't, but, Jesus did. This reveals Him to be Bold. He's also very <i>ACCEPTING</i> of people...All <i>KINDS!</i> He showed compassion on the sick man, but yet...you always see Him pursuing the Pharisees. On first look, it might look like He's rebuking them out of slight anger and judgment. But, if you look a little closer...you'll see that as He talks with them, He's always saying, "Repent, <i>repent</i>!". Is the point being driven home a little bit more?<br />
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Here's the point: We <i>MUST </i>be in a state of Heart & Mind that allows the Holy Spirit to Teach and Guide us. Jesus had heart for both the Down-Hearted and the Hard-Hearted, and so should we. I believe I have a heart for the people that are hurting and desperate. My problem is that I have no heart for the people who stand on the nonexistent 'middle ground'. They're not necessarily lost, but they may be immature or silly, and I just don't like dealing with those kinds of people.<br />
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After the sermon and before we left, we had a time of prayer. This is when the people that feel convicted come up to the front and kneel to pray. Then their friends come up and pray with them. I was talking with a friend, and we came to the conclusion that, although we all may not be perfect in getting the job done...It's in our heart to change our actions toward others. When we desire to have a soft, warm heart for His people and the Lost, no matter in what manner they are Lost...God will give us that Heart, and we'll be able to act on it.<br />
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<br />B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-34257140946494871712012-05-13T12:36:00.000-07:002012-05-13T12:36:05.226-07:00He Cares For YouI unfortunately have been too busy to be able to post on the latter sermons, however; I'm posting about the one today.<br />
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First off, Happy Mother's Day! :)<br />
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Second, the sermon was really great. It was from 1st Peter 5:6-11 (For the most part).<br />
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"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."<br />
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Things can definitely be said about the first verse, but that's not where the focus was. The main idea was around 'casting all your anxieties on Him' in verse 7. The thing is that we can be plagued and attacked by many kinds of 'anxieties': burdens, trials, fears, etc. But they all come in several different categories:<br />
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1. Ongoing...these kinds of troubles center around the same thing over a period of time, such as several months to years to even all of life. (Physical Illness, Depression, and more). It is definitely true that trials and burdens DO go on all throughout our lives.<br />
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2. The next category was defined as 'Acute'. These sorts of trials happen in an instant...such as a car accident or the event of a life passing away into Heaven's arms. They're here, and then they're gone. In the case of the latter, you could say that it's an ongoing thing for awhile, but that's really the Depression involving it, not necessarily 'it' itself.<br />
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3. Another one may be things that are imagined, or in future scenarios about the next day or upcoming years: The pursuit of marriage for a teen growing into the adult stage (such as me [not that I'm actually headed for 'marriage' this moment]), or the bearing of kids for a couple, or even fears such as the future collapse of our country and world. There's a verse in Matthew that I absolutely love, and it's in chapter six, verse thirty-four.<br />
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<i>"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble."</i><br />
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In itself, that verse may seem a little bit confusing. What Jesus is really getting at though, is that God will take care of your needs, which then leads in to the next category.<br />
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4. This one is certainly not the most danger filled one, but it's very sad: When we are Doubting His Care. Verse 34 from chapter six of Matthew also sort of brings some things into this one as well. Read on through verse 8 and 9 of chapter five in 1 Peter again. Peter gives us a warning.<br />
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And then this is where some people start asking these questions: Why? Why do we have these Trials? Why are some of them so devastating as to almost rob you of your life?<br />
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The answers to these questions are not always easily understood, until you look back on something and realize that God was there all along. There are several reasons why we have these Trials:<br />
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<li>They produce tested, Genuine Faith. James says it well in the first chapter of his letter: "Count it All Joy, my Brothers, when you meet Trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let Steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."</li>
<li>Following the 'Genuine Faith' idea, it also grows you to be more dependent upon Him. Beside your growing 'Genuine Faith', your Trust will grow as well. You may be tempted to blame Him for what you're going through, but when you're at the end, you can almost see all that He did for you in that time. He leads you through the Storm, the emphasis being on 'leads'. He has his arm around you, and you're in the shelter of His wings. Don't fret, my brothers and sisters. When it all comes to pass, you shall Praise God for His enduring Faithfulness toward you.</li>
<li>There are more things that could be said, such as our own Sin (and again God teaching us to be more like Him through it) and many more that you could list off.</li>
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Pure and simple though, behind everything, the answer is: He CARES for you! :) Well, that's all good and known, you may say. A typical conversation would've just asked the question that I already answered. Then the proceeding question would go like this: Well, since you say He CARES for me, HOW does He care about it?</div>
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Well, front and center, He knows your suffering. As Jesus, God walked through the human life of trials, and ended up taking on the Greatest Sacrifice of All...His own life. My dear brothers and sisters, He knows pain.</div>
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Psalm 56:8: "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"</div>
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You should read through to the end of the section at verse 11. It ends with something encouraging: "In God I trust, what can man do to me?"</div>
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It's almost a boast: Hey, yeah, sure, men can hurt me bodily, make me depressed, make me flee...but I don't really have to be scared, because I know what's coming and where I'm going, and man can't change that.</div>
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Beyond that, every moment you've been down, every tear you've cried, every event of your earthly pain He has counted, and every other event besides.</div>
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Even <i>beyond</i> <i>that</i>, He WILL NEVER forget you. Luke puts it this way: "6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."</div>
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If God forgets not the sparrows, or the grass upon we tread, shall He forget us? By no means, my friends: We are 'of more value than many sparrows'.</div>
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He Protects you and Provides for you. The Father sent His One and Only Son to us. Jesus gave to us to the point of giving His Very <i>LIFE</i>...if He gave us His Eternal Life, why would He not give us all our very needs?</div>
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Now, of course some aspects of our trials will remain with us until we see Him face to face. But we have a hope in this text that never fails. <i>His love never fails.</i> When the storms rage, we don't have to be afraid. We have a friend that the wind and storms obey...and He's interceding for us at the Right Hand Of God. Because HE cares for YOU, cast all of your ANXIETIES on Him, and He'll take care of you. :) </div>
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<br />B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-88736828557675471122012-04-15T16:14:00.000-07:002012-04-15T16:14:01.035-07:00A Personal Encounter With Jesus Vs. Religion Without Him<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This was the sermon from today. I'm going to quickly go through what my Pastor said, but I also saw a lot of different connections that he didn't have time to make or take a look at.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The text comes from Luke 13:10-17: </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013010-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span><a alt="esv_07" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013010" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">Now </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Mt4.23%3BMk6.2/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="See Matt. 4:23; Mark 6:2">v</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013011-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013011" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">And behold, there was a woman who had had</span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Ac16.16%3BLk13.16/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="Acts 16:16; [ver. 16]">w</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013012-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013012" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">“Woman, you are freed from your disability.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;"> </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013013-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013013" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">And he </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Mk5.23/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="See Mark 5:23">x</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk5.25%3BLk18.43%3BLk7.16/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="ch. 5:25; 18:43; See ch. 7:16">y</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">glorified God. </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013014-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013014" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">But </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk8.41/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="See ch. 8:41">z</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Mt12.2/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="See Matt. 12:2">a</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Ex20.9%3BEze46.1/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="Ex. 20:9; Ezek. 46:1">b</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">“There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013015-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013015" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">Then the Lord answered him, </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">“You hypocrites! <a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk14.5%3BMt12.11/" style="color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="ch. 14:5; [Matt. 12:11]">c</a>Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;"> </span><span class="verse-num woc" id="v42013016-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013016" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">And ought not this woman, <a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk19.9/" style="color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="ch. 19:9">d</a>a daughter of Abraham whom <a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk13.11%3BAc10.38%3B1Co5.5%3B2Co12.7%3B1Ch21.1/" style="color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="[ver. 11; Acts 10:38; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 12:7]; See 1 Chr. 21:1">e</a>Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;"> </span><span class="verse-num" id="v42013017-1" style="background-color: white; color: #b36c38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding-right: 0.15em; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><a alt="esv_01" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5884303445148840789" rel="v42013017" style="background-color: white; color: #284f57; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-indent: 21px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">As he said these things, </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Ps132.18%3B1P3.16/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="Ps. 132:18; 1 Pet. 3:16">f</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">all his adversaries were put to shame, and </span><a class="cf" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Lk18.43/" style="background-color: white; color: #6e92ac; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 21px; vertical-align: top;" title="ch. 18:43">g</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 21px;">all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Basically, I'm going to quickly go through the points, and then go through them again with the connections that I saw.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I. Crippled By Satan</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Found in verses 10-11. Re-read those. You'll notice how the woman's faith may be indicated by her presence there. She was 'crippled' for 18 years. She probably went to the synagogue regularly, despite the fact that people probably were horrified by her. She wanted to be straight again, so she never missed the opportunity to be healed. It just so happens that Jesus was there, so He did it for her. You'll also notice that Jesus knows that there was a disabling spirit tormenting her and keeping her body from being straightened.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">II. The Compassion of Jesus</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Found in verse 12, you'll see that Jesus was full of compassion. He was always full of compassion for those who were hurt. If you feel hurt, He has <i>compassion</i> for you. And nothing will beat His compassion for you. <i>Nothing</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For another point, if we really become and grow to be more like our Savior, we will see people through His eyes of compassion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">III. Criticism by Leaders.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In verse 14, we see a <i>shocking</i> contrast between Jesus and this ruler of the synagogue. Where Jesus was filled with compassion, the leader of the synagogue was attached to his rules. Thus, he valued rules and really didn't care about relationships. Religion without Jesus is always more concerned with rules than with people. And we see that again and again, Jesus put His adversaries to shame for the Glory of God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Now I'll work back through the text again, this time really with what I see.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In my Pastor's sermon, I found the first point to really stand out. The point, but actually the name of the point, because it got me going on a slightly different track. This whole situation that Jesus deals with shows all sorts of things. It even pictures what Jesus was going to do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This girl of 18 years has certainly been through a lot. She was despised by a lot of people for coming to the synagogues the way she was. I really feel like Jesus is saying something more through this instance. I see the fact that she's full of faith. However, she's still human. She's bound to Satan's power. Although she desires to be straight and perfect by Jesus' side, she can't be. Jesus calls out to her, and grabs her. When He died on the cross, He reached out to our position and unbound the chains that the devil had so neatly wrapped around us. It was too complicated for us to get through, but Jesus could see clearly and unwound it with His blood.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Then as my pastor moved on to the second point, I was reminded...of my past. Of who I was. Of how insane I was. But Jesus was compassionate, picked me up and told me, "My child, release your hold of judgment on yourself...I have already paid the full price. Learn by my example, and I will help you with all of my ways.". Jesus is really <i>compassionate</i>. Every other religion without Jesus...it's just a bunch of rules that leave you feeling hopeless, because you can't really 'attain' the high levels of what you should do and be. Because of the rescue from my insanity, Jesus has lead me to feel that I can be of help to those people who have been in my same circumstance. So this is how I know that I am becoming more like my Savior: I can feel His compassion for people. Granted, I show compassion only for the group that I feel compassionate about, but that's because I really want to love them the way that Jesus did for me. I feel compassionate. Not perfectly compassionate as my Savior was, but compassionate nevertheless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The reaction of the leader was interesting. Read again what he said. Then, read Jesus' response. Oh, how I wish I had Jesus' way with words! He was really making SEVERAL different comparisons when he spoke of the donkey.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The first was that the leaders treated their animals better then human beings. My pastor did make that connection. I'm sure he knew this, but he didn't communicate the other things that I saw. There was real importance in what Jesus was saying. Think of it this way: They untied the donkeys and led them to water so that they could drink. My friends, if the donkeys were not untied to be able to get water, wouldn't they die? Now you understand Jesus' reasoning and outcry in his reaction. It wasn't literally this way, but you could say that the girl was the donkey in need of water...and she had to be moved in order to receive it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It was <i>that</i> important. The girl needed to be rescued, and she was. She was healed. In the same way, we may be bound in to something by Satan's doings. We're bound in human flesh. Jesus removed our chains by taking the wrath that was deserved for us. We are crippled by the Devil's acts. The Devil takes great pride in keeping us bound, by confusing us with lies. Despite Satan's thinking of his chains, Jesus is stronger. He's great enough to remove the chains. And He humiliates the Devil by doing so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">When He beckoned the girl to come to Him, He beckons <i>US</i>. He cries out to us, "Come to me! I'll be glad to remove your chains! I love you more then your sinful ways, so I'll change them." And He does. He gives us His word, He gives us His Holy Spirit to help guide us in the right place. Everything He throws at us, there is a reason for. God will use it down the road for His Glory. I can tell you that right now through personal experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I love how Luke keeps building this up. The leader of the synagogue...He was absolutely ridiculous. His thoughts were wrong by God's Word, and illogical in every right. Man's Pride in his rules and 'ability to abide by them' really makes him lose sight of the picture. He seems not to care that this girl is hurting! She's bent and tired of the years spent that way. He doesn't even think, "Hey, that's cool for that girl to be...suddenly straight". When we get truly involved with rules that make us lose compassion for people, we are <i>HORRIDLY</i> in the wrong.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The crowd was rejoicing, however. They got it. A girl was just healed from a serious problem. The leaders didn't. Jesus humiliated them. He <i>continues</i> to humiliate His adversaries today through helping His church reach out and help the broken-hearted. It happens the same way: Every time a lost person is found and saved, rejoicing echoes around the Heavenly Host. Sure, it ticks off the Devil to the point that he does everything damaging as possible, but it doesn't matter. Our Savior is victorious, and will always be. </span></span></div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-47611542616869137692012-04-08T17:25:00.000-07:002012-04-08T17:26:23.312-07:00Easter Sunday<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Easter, peoples! He has risen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, I just got back from the church picnic by a lake. Fun with slip'n'slides, a sailboat, and fellowship with friends (and acquaintances. Possibly enemies. But it's all for the joy of the day :)). Anyway, we were there from like 12 to 6. I also didn't touch a slip'n'slide <i>or</i> the lake. Until about 5:00. A friend and I went to other friends who were in the lake...but we decided to get right out afterward because...well, I'm not even sure. Anyway, it's a good thing that I did, because I ended up breaking a 'fight' between my sister and another guy. I got in between them to actually receive most of my sister's fist. Didn't hurt though, but she wasn't applying too much force to it. Most of the afternoon comprised of throwing around two different frisbees with a good amount of people. We were going to play Ultimate Frisbee, but...that didn't really work out. Either way, I had a few 'catches' that made myself and those standing around me going, "Uh...wow." (Mostly myself).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyhowseth, I want to post a little bit about the sermon from this morning. It came from Acts 17:30-34.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Acts-17-30" id="en-ESV-27540"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3</sup><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">0 </sup> <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27540A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>The times of ignorance <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27540B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>God overlooked, but <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27540C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>now he <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27540D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>commands all people everywhere to repent,</span><span class="text Acts-17-31" id="en-ESV-27541"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">31 </sup>because he has fixed <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27541E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>a day on which <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27541F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>he will judge the world <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27541G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27541H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>of this he has given assurance to all <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27541I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>by raising him from the dead.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Acts-17-32" id="en-ESV-27542"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">32 </sup>Now when they heard of <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27542J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>the resurrection of the dead, <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27542K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup>some mocked. But others said, <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27542L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>“We will hear you again about this.”</span> <span class="text Acts-17-33" id="en-ESV-27543"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">33 </sup>So Paul went out from their midst.</span> <span class="text Acts-17-34" id="en-ESV-27544"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">34 </sup>But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius <sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-27544M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I agree with my pastor on the fact that I love Paul's flow of logic here. The sermon could be described by one concept: If the resurrection is true, (which we know to be true) then judgment is a certainty; if judgment is a certainty, then repentance is a <i>necessity</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I. If the Resurrection is true, then Judgment is <i>certain</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, I had already stated that. We do know the Resurrection to be true by several things:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. The empty tomb. (It was recorded to be empty, and still <i>is </i>empty. Why? Because Jesus is in heaven right now as I type this.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. The testimonies of several hundred people that <i>saw Him with their own eyes</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bridging off of number two, these people that saw Him really turned. The Disciples, and other true Believers became <i>very</i> bold in their preaching and witnessing even to the point of public beating and humiliation. You don't simply go that far in holding up a lie. People came up with the idea that they 'stole' Jesus' body to cause even greater trouble for the Jews and the Romans. That is simply <i>not </i>the case.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another thing is that about the people who 'repented' and did not 'repent'. For the most part, the main issue in unbelief is never intellectual, but always moral.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Paul <i>really</i> builds a strong, flawless logic approach to talking to these fellas. If you stop and think about it, what Paul's saying here makes real sense. The only logical response would <i>be</i> to turn and repent, because you can't argue with him on it. You can see that it's true. And if <i>that </i>is true, well...you have to repent, or suffer later. So the issue is more of a moral thing. People tend to agree with the train of thought. The problem is actually changing their morals and living more for God that's the problem. Sin and lustful cravings of the world seems far more easy and care-free then following God. And that's right...but the problem is that it <i>is</i> care free. When you reject God, you're really making a sad choice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three more things about the Judgment being a certainty:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. A Certain Day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Verse 31: "He has fixed a day".</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fixed implies certainty. And since God is the one fixing it, well, you know it's gonna happen. The issue is when that day actually is. But we don't even need to know. Paul is trying to imply that although Jesus <i>will </i>be merciful in His timing (Discussed in the last post) He won't delay <i>forever</i>. He will delay...but none of us know how long that is. So we need to get everything together with help from Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. A Certain Standard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Verse 31: "he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed".</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is Paul referring to when he says "in righteousness"? The Law. Yeah, that's right...The Ten Commandments. The man appointed was Jesus. Why? Because He <i>is</i> righteous. He kept all the commandments. He was <i>righteous</i>. So how can we be righteous? Do I mean keeping the law perfectly? You could try, but it ain't gonna work. From the first moment you appear on the earth, you're a sinner. I believe that in saying <i>that</i>, he's getting at the fact that believing in the righteous one and trusting in Him, since He is righteous, we become righteous. Now don't misunderstand me: WE won't be righteous. But we're COUNTED as righteous. Not by OUR works, but by his. He died on the cross in our place, making the perfect sacrifice. Unfortunately I think I just ran into the third number, but whatever. And in Jesus raising from the dead, our direction from Hell was turned. Because of His perfection, he transfers that 'code' over to us, giving us our undeserved salvation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But what does that get us to?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">II. If Judgment is Certain, then repentance is a <i>NECESSITY</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't really make it any clearer. Scroll back up and reread verse 30. The command isn't just a helpful hint, "Hey, you should probably repent soon." it is a word of Authority. And <i>NOW</i>. The logic and doctrine is very sound here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Paul saw three different responses:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. The sneerers who started mocking his preaching.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. The procrastinators. (And guys, Paul never, <i>ever</i> mentions going back to them, or telling us if they repented or got a second chance to. So you can procrastinate, but it may not be smart. I understand if it's just a timing thing...but if it's actually putting it off deliberately, there's something wrong with that. God does give second chances and is merciful, but time is of the essence.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. And finally, <i>some</i> did repent and fully believed, and some even came with and followed Paul on his journeys.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the question, my friends: Which group do you find yourselves in? Which one do you <i>want</i> to be in???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-28018550418810951792012-04-05T14:14:00.002-07:002012-04-05T14:14:23.208-07:00Upon Seeing The Empty 'Fruit' Tree...I might end up posting on the few sermons in between this post and the last one...but that'll be after THIS one. Why? Well, this one is pretty 'sharp' and you'll see why. Of course, the last few sermons <i>have</i> been building up to this, but oh well.<br />
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This sermon is taken from Luke 13: 6-9. You can pull out your Bibles, but since it's short, I'm just going to write it here:<br />
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<i>6And He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' 8And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down'."</i><br />
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Are you as shaken as I am about the parable Jesus is teaching? Well, if not, I will surely have you shaking with the 'interpretation' of this parable. That brings us to our first point.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. Suspended Judgment</span><br />
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You know, I was just looking at this point before I read it. At first, it doesn't seem to make much sense. Sure, the fruit tree isn't cut down when the 'owner' wants to. But then a few things clicked. To start, this parable is about God being ready to bring Judgment on Israel (Us) because she had not brought forth spiritual fruit.<br />
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But I actually see several other things. God is the owner. That makes sense, right? I mean...He does own us in every right. We are then symbolized by the fruit trees...that <i>aren't</i> bearing fruit. Right now, I see the vinedresser as Jesus. And that makes sense as well. After all, it's by His work that we get salvation. However, if He's been doing His work in us, we will start bearing fruit. And now I'm jumping ahead of myself. Anyway, we see that Jesus tells God, "Leave it alone this year as well, until my work starts to bring forth fruit". So it's almost mercy being given. However, there's still a promise of destruction if we don't produce anything.<br />
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The other thing is the <i>kind</i> of fruit that's being produced. None is. But no matter what in our lives, there <i>is</i> fruit being produced. Always. <i>Say whaa???</i> Okay, okay, hold on. Think about that again. I know I need to. Okay, when we usually think of fruit, we think of ripe apples, berries, or whatever fruit you like to dream of when your stomach is growling for food. But <i>rotten</i>, <i>sickly</i>, fruit...that doesn't really come to your mind when you're hungry. It's fruit that you can't eat, but fruit nonetheless. So we're always producing fruit. So the question for us is not, 'Are we producing fruit?', it's: "What kind of fruit <i>are</i> we producing?"<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. The Message.</span><br />
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This is a <i>serious </i>picture that brings a <i>serious</i> question to the table for <i>every</i> Christian on this planet in existence. Did you notice that the parable had an open ending? Are you wondering what happened to the fruit tree that Jesus was speaking of? Well, we know one tree that never really repented...and got thrown into the fire as a result. The reason why Jesus left the parable open was because it's an open issue right now. <i>YOU</i> must decide the outcome.<br />
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<i>But I don't feel like I'm producing any fruit!</i><br />
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I hear ya. Neither do I. The thing to remember is that you have time. Remember also that Jesus is going to work on the fruit tree. Christian, if He really <i>is</i> working in you, you'll know it. Do you have the desire to produce fruit? That, as spoken of last night, is a fruit all in itself. We won't produce anything by ourselves. Can a plant grow without water and Sun? Without water and sunlight, can it stand? Christian, Jesus is your water and sunlight. The plant catches the sunlight and water...in the same way, all you must do is catch Jesus' teachings and grow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-52181293809255214572012-02-29T09:40:00.004-08:002012-02-29T09:41:06.366-08:00Some Thoughts On WorryI am ashamed of myself for finally getting to this today when the sermon was preached on Sunday. At least I'm getting to it now. The Sermon was really titled How To Solve Worries About Money.<br />
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But I don't really want to focus on Money, although that is a big issue. But the text comes from Luke 12:22-34. Go ahead and read that. There's a lot in this, more then meets the eye on a quick little read through.<br />
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Jesus is really trying to bring up this idea: In order to solve worries about 'money' (Or all things, really), we must TRUST in the God who cares for us and seek His Kingdom above our own needs. Which is pretty much a statement of the first point:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I. To Solve Our Worries, We Must Trust In The God Who Cares For Us.</span><br />
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I shall try not to repeat a sentence like that again. Anyway, especially right NOW; it is SO easy to be anxious and get really worried and frustrated in life. Our country's government for sure isn't making it any easier. Neither are the world's core values. Right now, that's what I'm especially worried about: I'm sixteen, growing out of highschool and into college where it's going to be difficult to pay for. Luckily, I think I may have found something that solves that problem, but it's still going to take work for it...but just a few weeks ago, I really didn't. College isn't cheap. So you have to get a job and work tirelessly to pay for it.<br />
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To make things even <i>more</i> difficult, it's a HARD job to GET a job. I know a few people right now that are a couple years older then me that are trying to find jobs and can't. They've gone EVERYWHERE, practically. When you look at the issues of this country's economy and cultural principles, it's really easy to turn to pessimism. I know <i>I</i> easily do. But what does that REALLY say about us when we're getting worried over things? We're not trusting in our God to help us get what we need...and He even takes care of the 'ravens' (ravens literally, crows, carrion birds, you get the scene). Are you of more value then birds, Christian? I would think so...<i>so don't worry</i>, God has it all in control.<br />
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But you have to listen to what Jesus is saying: He's not saying sit back and relax and don't take any concern at all. We MUST work. Paul says it well in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."<br />
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So we do need to work and be <i>concerned</i> about things. But <i>worry</i> and <i>concerned</i> are two <i>very</i> different things. Another point that Jesus makes is that we shouldn't worry because...think about it...does <i>worrying</i> do anything? No, it doesn't. In worrying, you just sit and whine. (Mostly, at least). Solomon says it this way in Proverbs 14:23: "All hard work brings profit, but mere talk only brings poverty". You COULD technically entitle 'worry' as mere talk.<br />
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Worry really tries to pull our faith in God away from us. It takes the fact that God is in control away and tries to say that we are in control. But what 'worry' fails to recognize is that we are not in complete control...which is simply not the case. The point is: By worrying, you'll never change anything. Worrying can never change the status quo. But, this can: Trust in God that He has it taken care of, and in realizing that fact you'll take action.<br />
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I find it also interesting that Jesus compares us with the 'flowers of the field' in verse 27. That's a point of clothing, obviously. I'm wondering if there are any more possible ways to interpret that and the next couple verses. Any thoughts?<br />
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Truly, all we need is our basic needs. And God knows that we have basic needs. If we trust Him with a hard work ethic, He will give us those needs. He will. Sometimes there just needs to be a little waiting...maybe a long wait. But the point is that He has it all in control, and everything happens for a reason.<br />
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At the heart of worry is a doubt in who God is. Worry mimics the world...and the world worries because it believes it's in control, and truly knows not what to do to make a change in things to get situations better. That's why everything ultimately fails when there's no acknowledgement of God. It's what happened to the Roman Empire, what happened to the British Empire, and every other empire in the history of the world that fell. Sad as it is, that's where America is headed. Truly, the only way for America to start growing again is a national recognition of man's sinful nature, as we had when we were just a beginning nation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">II. To Solve Our Worries, We Must Seek God's Kingdom Above Our Own Needs.</span><br />
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1. There is a command here: Seek God's kingdom. It's mainly done in prayer, but as well as charity in different areas to further His Kingdom. That's all we must seek: God's Kingdom proclaimed and manifested around the entire globe.<br />
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2. Assurance: The Father will provide for all our needs if we <i>earnestly</i> seek His Kingdom.<br />
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3. Application: Give generously and we will have lasting treasure in Heaven. Really, that's what it's all about here. The two main things in life are either Materials...which decays and dies over time, or God's Kingdom, which never falls apart, despite what the World thinks. Where we put our treasures into, that's where our hearts follow. If we put treasure into materials and Earthly 'gains', we will fade. If we place our treasure in Heaven, God's Kingdom...there our heart will be also, and we will live.<br />
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Now you have to know what I'm saying here: I'm not saying that you can't 'enjoy' 'comforts' nowadays. The point is that you need to be earnestly seeking God's Kingdom. When you seek His Kingdom on a daily and hourly, and momently basis...worry will fade for you. Oh how I long to have that feeling. Jesus bids us to focus not on this life, but the next. Shall we try to focus more on the Next life in Eternity? I agree with Jesus, but we're all going to need His help to do so. Mind asking Him to join with us and help us grow? Indeed. Any thoughts?B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-48501426372360812792012-02-14T09:22:00.003-08:002012-02-14T09:23:04.051-08:00Life...What Is Defined As Having A 'Life'?Have you ever been told by someone, "You have no life"? Or, have you ever told yourself that YOU don't have a life?<br />
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I've told myself that a lot before. School was pretty much my 'life'...I know, how inconvenient, right? But then I got involved in an 'Air Cadet' thing I guess you could call it, I got promoted in a group to second command and have lots of 'responsibilities'. So now I'd say I have a 'life' because I'm involved in different things with more people then just myself and my imaginary friends...(Oops, sorry guys xD I forgot you wanted to remain secret...)...ANYWAY, but really I'm starting to think I'm so busy that I actually DON'T have a life. Odd, huh? But then if you take it the other way, I may be quitting a couple things and getting a job. Money in my pocket and bank account WOULD definitely be nice...then I could start paying for things and actually 'have' a life. Of course if I get a job, and being the hard worker that I am, I might not actually have a 'life'.</div>
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Interesting in contrast, isn't it? I guess you could say, that in order to have a 'life', you must lose it. Whoa...that sounds Biblical, doesn't it? John 11: 25-26 says: Jesus said to her, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever Believes in ME, though he <u>die</u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">,</i> yet he shall <u>live</u>, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never <u>die.</u> Do you believe this?"</div>
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I really love the paradox in that: Though he die, yet he shall live. We must die to ourselves, and live in Christ to live. It's a very interesting thing to think about indeed.</div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-71781095607016357792012-02-04T16:54:00.000-08:002012-02-04T17:39:46.213-08:00Leadership...What Is True Leadership?<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">That's a good question. What on earth <i>IS</i> 'True Leadership'? Well, I'm going to try to answer that question in a series of thoughts and facts. I will bring in what I have learned from life, Scripture, and what a few of my friends have to say about that.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-themecolor:background1; background:black;mso-highlight:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">But why did I have a thought on 'Leadership' in the first place? Well, I'll try to answer that question as well. I may have iterated before on the fact that I'm in a swordfighting organization (WOTS [Way Of The Sword], which is Kendo basically). Anyway, WOTS stretches all over FL and grabs into the southern lands of Georgia in clans having different areas. I am in one of the better clans. But it truly depends what you mean by 'better'. Are we the best fighters? Eh...probably far from it. But the thing is, we've had great leadership, we've always fought on the basics and the actual techniques. We have respect for each other, others, and the thing we do. The other clans? They simply don't. At all. And it reminded me of the 'leadership' exhibited at the event today.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">If a 'leader' needs to swear and curse at his 'subordinates' to get them to do stuff...uh...doesn't that say something? Anyway, back to the point, the former 'leaders' of my clan have stepped down. In their places they elected me and my friend Cary as the new 'leaders'. Unfortunately Cary is the actual 'leader'...but that's fine by me. Why? Because he is a true leader, and I'm really interested in seeing where he goes in life. Gah, I need to stop babbling on in nonsense, and get back to the point.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">What does the Scripture say about 'Leadership'?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">First off, Hosea 11:4 has this to say: "I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love,and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them." Another translation says (human) kindness. Basically, common human decency: What you want done for you, do for others. A leader takes this command in the Bible to heart. He eases the yoke on his 'subordinates'. He doesn't let them become 'sit-back-and-do-nothing' people though...he does everything in his power to help them get what they're supposed to done. Sound familiar? Yeah, it oughta. Jesus did just that when He took Flesh upon Himself, lived perfectly and died the most painful way for us. So hey, what do ya know? Yup, Jesus, (like being such a good model for us to be like in many different ways) is the model for Leadership. And that doesn't come as a surprise, does it?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Nelson Mandella had this to say about Leadership: "</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.".</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">At a second's glance, the first thing Mandella said seems a little false. But he's not saying to lead from behind people during war. What he's really getting at is to put others before your own desires. A leader looks at what his people need (not what they want), but what they <i>need</i>, (such as rights to things and such) and then does everything in his power to advance that.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Collin Powel, one of our most beloved war Generals, had this to say: "Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I really <i>love</i> what this guy is saying here. Leadership deals with solving problems. If your people can't come to you with pleas and problems...there's something wrong. Either they don't trust your sense of judgment and wisdom to solve the problem, or they don't care, then you have a failure of Leadership. Being a leader means you care about your people, and have wisdom as about to go solving the issues.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Bringing my friend Cary back into the picture, he has a few things to say on the matter, and they're right on.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"You have to lead by example." He goes on to say, "You must be the example of what you want to see in them. If you're not displaying what you want, then how will they know what to do?"</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">An excellent question, if you ask me. He also had another great thing to say, but I can't remember what that is now.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">So now, what are some of <i>MY</i> thoughts on the topic of Leadership?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Well, I'd definitely have to say some of the stuff that some of the guys up there^ have said. But I wanna add a few things. To be a leader, you must be humble and listen to those who maybe don't understand your reasoning in solving a problem. If a leader is truly in the wrong, he must have a low enough ego to realize he's wrong and correct it. A leader must be gentle and caring with his people, as God is with us. He needs to be able to clearly lay out what his aims and goals are, and then get them done in an efficient way. There's <i>soooo</i> much more I could say on this, but I am exhausted and hurting. But I want to know: What are some of your thoughts on who a Leader is? I'd really love to know if I'm missing something.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: white; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-45620481603603926942012-01-28T11:49:00.001-08:002012-01-28T11:57:28.354-08:00A Poem and A ThoughtHere is a poem that I wrote about a year to two years ago (most likely in between that amount of time):<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:26.0pt">Dear Little Sister<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:26.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This little sister in my lap,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her head on my chest,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Silently taking a nap,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This feeling is the best.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My arms wrapped around her,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My chin on her hair,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh I really love her,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">She’s forever in my care.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I fear for whoever comes near,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With an evil glint in their eye,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">They’ll have to stay in E.R. for a year,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He’ll be hurt just enough to not die.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I do wonder about this:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Does she return my love?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d protect you from anything little sis,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You’re as beautiful as a dove.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I adore you more than you know,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You can’t fathom how much I love you,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I cannot at all say ‘no’.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I hope you love me too.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Your sweet little face,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Is hard to resist,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Your loving embrace,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Clears all the mist.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You always rest on me,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You feel safe from all fears,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sleeping on me,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You slumber peacefully.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I miss you dearly,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do you miss me?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You make me sing to you,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not minding my horrible off-key voice,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But you love it too,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is your choice.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I feel heart-broken when I don’t see you,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do you feel the same way?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I hear you joy fills me anew,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d love to see you more than every day.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I love you sweet girl,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I miss you dearly,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In my life you are a pearl,<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d die if I see you only yearly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This world is very, VERY cruel when it comes to girls, growth, and life. It's values teach girls to act wrongly, and wear next to nothing. They go to desperate measures to keep a guy's attraction, not realizing that she's only attracting him to her body, not the real her. When that comes about and continues, it's nothing but 'hell' for the girl when her 'boy' becomes abusive. She is very precious and special. If you find when you wear practically nothing, and you get guys' attention...that's not attention that you want, because it will only be your destruction. If you cover your body properly, the guy you attract and falls for you will take care of you, and have only your very best in mind, not what he can get out of it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Also, girls seem to feel like they need to cover up their face with stuff that's made from the guts of sharks and other fish...destroying the natural beauty that God designed them with. Girls must be protected and cherished, not lusted for. The more you can help your guy keep respect of you, the better off it will be for you.</p></div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-62910268191515026352012-01-26T10:04:00.000-08:002012-01-26T11:37:32.660-08:00Friendship: The Best Supporter Or The 'Backstabbing Liar'?<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">I've been thinking of the concept of 'Friendship' for a couple weeks now, as I've watched friendships fall apart from several different levels. Mainly, I've been thinking my own thoughts, but it's always good to bring in a little bit of Scripture. Since it's God's words to us of Divine Authority, it must be the key to solving most (if not all) problems.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:#1F497D;mso-themecolor:text2"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">First off, put yourself into a place. Someone who has been a really good friend, helpful in times of trial seems to turn on you. Is he or she really turning on you? Or is it just a humanly mistake? (we all, as humans, have tendencies to make 'humanly errors' or mistakes). We need to truly be able to see who our friends are. And although a few of them may really be very wise and knowledgeable, we do need to give them a little bit of grace when we feel like they hurt us. There, usually, is <i>always</i> an explanation for things. Note: Not excuses, but <i>explanations</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">I am in a good 'Friendship Circle', and I know that because most of my friends' are really after God's own heart. They may not necessarily speak a lot about it, but even in the more dark, brooding of my friends there's yet still a passion for knowledge and truth. I suppose you could say I live by an old quote from C.S. Lewis: "<span style="background: white">The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are."</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I may add that if you don't have a circle of wise Christian friends, it's better to be alone in your quest for truth then in the company of those who seek ill-gotten things. This idea of mine is backed up by Proverbs 13:20: "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm". Now ultimately, no one is really 'wise'. You know, unless if they <i>are</i>'wise' but you can generally tell. In the same way, not everyone is really foolish, and you can generally tell if someone is. Of course, in my understanding, it's easier to tell a true fool then to say if someone is really 'wise' or not. I think I'm straying off-topic a little.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Let me really share what a 'true friend' (even despite our sinful natures) really is. And I've had a few of them in my life already, and I will have more along the road of my life. A friend truly loves his or her friend. And I'm not talking about the love between one man and one woman here, I'm meaning in sibling affection (that doesn't have to be through 'blood family') and why is that? Because under Jesus' sacrifice for us, we're all daughters and sons of the Heavenly Father...so generally we are siblings in that respect anyway. When a friend either makes a couple really big mistakes, or is on the path to insanity (whatever that may be, it comes differently to different people) being a <i>true friend</i> means not letting them keep on this path that will eventually lead to death or Hell, no matter what the friend in trouble says or thinks he has it right. But it shouldn't be done in judgment, it should be done in love. As 'true friends' we need to appeal and plea for this friend of ours to listen. They need to know they're cared for, above all else. Besides that, we have to be strong in our prayer to God to bring them back to Him, and we earnestly need to tell the Devil, "No. You can't have my friend. So stop trying."...and we need to pray that God will get him to back off as well. The Bible usually says that friends oughta act to one another how Jesus acted towards us.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It really comes from John 15: 12- 15, so read that if you will. Jesus is speaking right here. He said to love your friends as <i>HE</i> has loved you. Now ultimately, we can't atone for any of their sins because we're not perfect; however, we can lay down our lives for them. But what does that look like exactly? Well, pushing hard to get through, for one, despite what the friend says. Second, we must bring our friend back to the Light of The Gospel, for that is the place where every heart is again made new, mended from its torn veins.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">In the instance of someone you thought you could trust, and broke that trust....before you throw that friend away, you need to ask yourself several questions. <i>What did my friend really do? Was there another thing at play? Does this friend actually care?</i> You could probably think of a few more to answer. Another thing is that you need to be <i>forgiving</i>. Jesus also says to forgive others as he has forgiven you.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">And if you're the person that someone is trying to reach out to, be a little bit more open. Life is precious...and if we look at ourselves again and find ourselves weak...well the only way to become stronger is to admit we're weak to others. Have you really felt Jesus' affection for you before? Have you gone on a route that shouldn't have been tread upon? If so, that doesn't matter...no mistake, no matter <i>how</i> far away you get, He's always chasing after you, always trying to draw your heart back to Him. And don't resist that pulling...it won't end well for you if you continue to resist. Strength is found in wise friends, in the Word too, but sometimes we can't really interpret things on our own, and we need help with it. The first step to coming clean and walking in the ways of Light is to admit that you're empty, broken, and trying to run from God. The second is to ask a wise friend questions. But first and most of all, you <i>must</i> realize that you can't make it on your own. I've tried that before, and to tell you the truth it never really worked. People care for you. Even if they make a mistake that seems that they really don't care for you. Remember, you always need to look outside of your own perspective. When things are only looked on from one side, that'll always lead to trouble and pain.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Think about that. BLS out.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></p>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-37603904564369224702012-01-23T11:06:00.001-08:002012-01-23T11:57:21.667-08:00A BlogPost on Thoughts Surrounding WorshipYes, it has been awhile since I last posted. (I know, I'm SOOO horrible DX). I just wanted to do a small post on the Sermon preached at my church yesterday, but only about the idea of it, because I want to go into more thoughts then usual, on the sermon, but also on a couple other things. (I think). The goal of the sermon was to show that God works in special ways during the corporate meeting to increase our worship in Christ.<div><br /></div><div>Now logically, before we go on to speak about this, we must define worship. And the definition of worship is sometimes very broad. If you ask a non-Christian what worship in a Church setting is, they may say "Worship is singing songs to God in Church". A few really young Christians may say the same thing...but as you grow more in spirituality, the definition seems to change. The pastor who was preaching said you may define it this way: "Worship is the heart's dependence, gratitude, and delight in God Alone through Jesus Christ".</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds like a good definition to me, so let's run with it. So basically, the matter of worshiping is different for each individual. It could be a raising of the hands, or one hand, swaying back in forth...it all doesn't matter on a person's 'style' of worship as put...it's about where their heart is. As long as it's dependent upon God for strength, and it has gratitude and delight in Him, especially by treasuring Christ...that's all that matters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now here's another twist on things. As humans living life, there are challenges to everything. And yes, there are challenges to worship. When you ask, "Well what are those challenges?"...Most will answer sin. Yeah, that sounds like a good answer. How about the World and it's values? What about Satan? What about humans in the first place? Well, by that last one, I really just mean human weakness. Right? Yeah, as humans we're all basically weak.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's take a look at the World first. I can't find the actual verse, but a verse was quoted that basically said, "Live simple lives."...that's what God wants us to do. For the most part, it may seem a little bit easy. But what if you're walking out to the parking lot after the sermon, headed for your car. On either side of the car are two nice 'brand new' cars. Maybe they're sports cars, maybe they're not, but either way they're new. Sure, your car may drive fine, but it has two hundred thousand miles on it. Or maybe there's a car across from yours that you know has better gas mileage, and maybe fine leather seats. Just then you're desiring a world value. The world wants, (as my pastor said) 'new', or 'stylish', and 'leather'. While <i>I MYSELF</i> have no issue with new or stylish (because come on, stylish is for the annoying peoples! [I apologize if you're one of them xD]). On the other hand, the other description comes to my mind...<i>leather</i>. This one is <i>REALLY</i> tough for me because I'm obsessed with it. I'm obsessed with leather: Jackets, gloves...not jeans though, but I do have a friend who is obsessed with them. (you know who you are!!! :). Just because 'leather' is a 'world value' though doesn't mean I'm sinning. It just means I have to watch out for those boundary lines that I shouldn't cross. Sin is the thing that tries to separate you from God and give or make you take action to nab those 'world values'. Satan and his evil forces do everything in their power to get you to focus on empty things instead of the fullness of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>The final part of the sermon dealt with several questions. What do Pastors do the night before (or even days before) to prepare for Church on Sunday? (Or whenever your church meets). What does the congregation do to prepare?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start with the first one.</div><div>1. The pastors will honor the Word of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>They understand that it's not really anything they say that has any meaning, but the Bible has the authority.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. They pray for miracles.</div><div><br /></div><div>They earnestly seek God beforehand to help them speak the truth, and they pray that God will show Himself through the text to their congregation, that He would move through the congregation with his power.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. They endeavor to remove distractions.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing that our church is now thinking of doing is removing the break. Which break is that? Well, generally we have a break between worship and the sermon. What it's for is to allow the parents to take their kids to Children's Ministry...but usually they gab, as well. The issue is that this breaks the flow of the Spirit and emotions in the service. In the break, usually people speak of stuff that are worrying them, and it really destroys the movement. So what we'll be doing now is having the children immediately go to their appropriate rooms, and then we'll start worship. As soon as worship is finished, the pastor who is preaching will come up and preach. I like the idea of it...but I'm sure I wouldn't if I were still young.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, the other question. What can <i>YOU</i> do to prepare for church the night before?</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Ask God for a new heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't exactly remember what the passage in Ezekiel was. But it said to call out for God for a new heart, a heart to worship and treasure Him above all else. If you ask Him to give you a heart for worship the next morning, earnestly, He will.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Meditate on Scripture.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a good idea. It gets you in the mood to be able to receive immediately from the moment you walk into your church.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Allow enough time to rest BEFORE Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever had someone (or yourself) walk into church sleepy? Or maybe they stood awake for worship, but as soon as the preaching starts, they fall asleep? Isn't it sad? I don't care if you're some sports' player who had an important game, or some businessman that had an important meeting to go to...The hour or two that you spend with your church, worshiping and receiving God...it's the most important hour of your week. Wouldn't you agree? You should be awake, attentive, and ready to listen to what God has to say to you.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Avoid activities the night before that are harming to your spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get involved with a party that steps over the line on Saturday night! Well...you really shouldn't be in that area anyway, but how much worse is it for you to come into church in the morning tired and not being in a right stance? Maybe you should abstain from uh...let's say 'visual' movies as well. Probably.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Arrive church earlier, before it starts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, this is your important hour of the week! Say if you were going to a big football game or a concert by one of your favorite musicians? Would you want to walk in just as it starts? I think not. You'd probably be there much earlier to get good seats, and you don't want to miss anything. How much more is the hour where the Spirit of God works in you?</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Pray for Spiritual Endurance and less distractions for you and your fellow believers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pray that you are fully able to focus on God throughout the whole thing. It's just terrible to think of something awful, especially when you're giving praise to Christ for saving you from sin. Maybe if you pray before hand, God will keep you from that thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Pray for Him to help you draw near to Him...and ask Him to draw near to you!</div><div><br /></div><div>Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in your service. Pray for Him to touch hearts and heal those which are broken. There isn't a better feeling for someone then to have their troubled, broken hearts mended by a loving Father.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Discern what the Holy Spirit is doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>You should do this in everything, not just your church meeting. Try to see what He's telling you to do, or wanting you to do when you have the chance to do so!</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Confess sins to your Heavenly Father before you walk in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, sometimes at the end of the sermon you want to confess and have prayer for that sin...but if you walk into church with a guilty and sinful conscience, won't that be harder on you to experience Him? </div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, 10. Act, don't watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, I don't really like what the pastor originally said. He said be the actor, not the audience. I wouldn't want to put it that way. Think about it. An actor is ACTING a part. He isn't BEING the part. So you don't need to be the actor, but you need to be active in praising and praying. You need to pray for others when they need prayer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, honestly, I tied in a lot more of my thoughts then I had originally hoped to do, so I don't need to add anything here, and besides that, this post is feeling long. Let me just say that I make a stand to do what I've said in preparing for church services. Won't you come and join me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Sincerely, BLS signing off.</div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-79509572669873154692012-01-02T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-02T10:14:13.634-08:00Confessing Or Denying Christ?I just have to do a post on the sermon from Church yesterday...it was very thought provoking. It comes from Luke 12: 4-12. I ask that you read the passage really quickly, and I'll quote the verses when they become important.<div><br /></div><div>The Passage mainly deals with the idea of Hypocrisy. In this case, Hypocrisy is when you have lived for Christ, but because of some fear you deny Him as being your Lord and Savior (Basically...it definitely goes more in-depth then that...but I'm too lazy to get that far into that piece. I apologize.) Basically, there's two points. Let's start with the first:</div><div><br /></div><div>I. We Must Beware Of The Sin Of Hypocrisy Because Hypocrites Will Face God's Judgment.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must say, this selection of text is really interesting. Jesus says some very <i>serious</i> things in here. This Hypocrisy thing occurs as a direct result from fearing the thoughts or actions of man against us if we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As seen from Jesus' speech, there is danger in it...Eternal Judgment from God. But why is this? This happens when we are more fearful of men who can only destroy the body (To us humans the body and our physical well-being seems to be of greater importance, understandably so) then the One who can A. Destroy body anyway B. but can also send you to a place where all Evil is enclosed: Hell.</div><div><br /></div><div>We can sometimes fear man's judgment more then God's. In our own minds, we bring up the opinions of man more then God's opinions. When we do that, we're throwing our allegiance at men instead of our God, who can really do something about us. We must always take into account of how God will judge us then men will. The judgment of this issue from God is <i>really</i> severe. Even the idea of severity seems a little down-played when trying to express this 'judgment'. This leads us into our Second point:</div><div><br /></div><div>II. We Must Confess Christ, Even Unto Death, Because We Will Stand Before God For Eternal Judgment.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I practically already declared that, so let's dig a little bit deeper. I've said we have to confess Jesus. But what does Confessing our Lord and Savior actually MEAN? Is it by words? By actions? Perhaps both? We need to show that through our lives and our words, we openly acknowledge that we follow Jesus Christ. As I already said, in order to confess Christ more effectively, we MUST (I can't stress it enough) take in and fear the judgment of God MORE then we fear the Judgment of man. I've said that several times already...and that only shows how important it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here we have it, Jesus going on about God's Judgment...and that can sound like he's a pretty...mean being. But he switches tracks. Verses 6 through 7 are REALLY comforting. Here they are: "<span class="woc" style="color: rgb(54, 48, 48); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.</span><span style="color: rgb(54, 48, 48); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span><span class="verse-num woc" id="v42012007-1" style="color: rgb(179, 108, 56); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.7em; padding-right: 0.15em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span><a class="va" alt="esv_01" rel="v42012007" style="color: rgb(40, 79, 87); outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></a><span class="woc" style="color: rgb(54, 48, 48); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. "</span></div><div><span class="woc" style="color: rgb(54, 48, 48); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">What is he REALLY getting at here? Well, we must also trust in the loving, providential care of the Father in order to confess Jesus. Two pennies...now that's not much. It shows of how much value five sparrows are...and that's VERY little. But yet, God doesn't forget them. How much more will He not forget you, a creation made in His own image and crafted by His own marvelous hands? Exactly. You are more valuable then sparrows for sure, so you won't be forgotten.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In order to confess Christ as well, we must count on His faithful promises. Jesus makes some promises in the following verses. Read verse 8 to the end of verse 12 again. He says some more interesting things here. It seems like He is hinting at the 'Unpardonable' Sin. What were the Pharisees doing? Well...they were speaking against Jesus. But Jesus said that anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. Okay...so they could be forgiven from that...so that's not necessarily where they have it all wrong. But what do they have wrong, then? Well, in Chapter 11 the Pharisees attribute Jesus' Power to the work of the Devil...now that's a serious matter.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">You may be able to speculate that the Holy Spirit of God is where Jesus' Power is. Well, maybe that's not exactly right, because Jesus is God so He is all powerful...and yet, he's also 'Man'. Either way, the Holy Spirit does the tugging of the heart to the right direction. But the Pharisees didn't give in. They didn't let the Holy Spirit bring them to the only one who could actually save them. So maybe you've Denied Christ at some point. Maybe in a fit of anger, you've even spoken out against Him. But He says that He will forgive you for that...but at all times, you have to let the Holy Spirit move you to Him. You must know that you've done wrong, but if you have a heart and you really WANT to come to Him, then <i>I</i> believe you're on the right track. We must also rely on the instruction of the Holy Spirit to confess Christ when we are right there under attack for Our Faith. Also, the way to be ready to Confess Christ under pressure is to start Confessing Him now when you don't have any persecution going on. Well, we may have social 'persecution' today in America, but we don't have any real means of 'persecution' here to worry about...at least for awhile.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I think this is running a bit long. I had more thoughts to communicate (I think, because I always do) it's just a matter of remembering to say them in posts on here...which quite frankly I ALWAYS seem to forget.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span ><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">On that note, see ya later.</span></span></div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-16676571611472164702011-12-31T19:06:00.001-08:002011-12-31T19:21:07.237-08:00My Thoughts On This Year And NextHidi-ho! Sorry for the long disappearance...as it happens, since I switched laptops...I forgot my password DX Anyway, I shouldn't have that problem anymore, because my password is so simple it may not even be possible to forget it...but hopefully that doesn't give anyone hints to my um, account. Wouldn't want a hacker coming in here and putting up anything embarrassing now, would I?<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'm going to stop that train of thought and get to the point of this post: It could be summed in a couple of ideas...my thoughts on this previous year and what I'm thinking as I look at this one heading towards me.</div><div><br /></div><div>First off, let's talk a bit about this past year...let's just say I've grown up...A LOT. It brings tears to my eyes to think of how meaningful this year has been to me. I almost lost everything, and in almost losing, God saved me and gave me new things to think about. I learned just how...psychotically insane I can be sometimes. Hm...Maybe that wasn't put well. Let's just say that I learned how useless I am sometimes...and how wretched of a person I am. God's Grace and Love has been written all over the days of this year, that much is for certain. Although it was painful and full of sin, for me, this year has been really life-changing...I wouldn't take anything back. Just comes to show me that God is God and <i>I</i> am <i>not</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now...as far as accomplishments have gone this year...well, I didn't really succeed at any of my New Years' Resolutions. I did do quite well with my novels though...but none of them are even close to being ready for publishing. Even the one that is pretty much publishable (However incomplete) is still really far from being satisfying.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me turn my focus to the year <span >2012</span><span >. What are my Resolutions? My main one for the moment is to pick back up my Bible...more then I ever have before. It's really important, life-changing in fact. Also, I would like to finish the first draft (maybe several) of my new book idea. Then I'd also like to be able to get pretty far into my other novel ideas. I feel like there's more I should say, but I am now mind-blocked.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Happy New Year's! What does everyone do for New Years DAY? People usually celebrate the Eve. In this case, I shall be spending my whole First Day of 2012 doing yard work.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >ON THAT NOTE, BLS out.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >P.S. I shall do more to blog...on several different things. Not just sermons, but maybe stuff from scripture or just opinions on things...I don't know. We'll see.</span></div>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-20718749745677665152011-11-14T11:36:00.000-08:002011-11-14T16:06:16.497-08:00On The Subject Of Prayer...I didn't end up getting to the last couple sermons, but I wanted to definitely put this one up before I do the others. As the title says...this sermon was on Prayer. (Well, the actual Sermon was titled How To Approach God, which in the beginning I failed to make the connection, but then it hit me eventually xD). The passage comes from Luke 11:1-13. I know it's long, but what the hey, I'll put it up here. Maybe.<br /><br /><span class="chapter-num" id="v42011001-1"></span>Now Jesus<span class="footnote"></span> was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” <span class="verse-num" id="v42011002-1">2 </span>And he said to them, <span class="woc">“When you pray, say:</span> <span class="begin-line-group"></span> <p id="p42011002_10-1" class="line"><span class="woc">“Father, hallowed be your name.</span></p> <p id="p42011002_15-1" class="line"><span class="woc">Your kingdom come.</span></p> <p id="p42011003_01-1" class="line"><span class="verse-num inline woc" id="v42011003-1">3 </span><span class="woc">Give us each day our daily bread,</span><span class="footnote"></span></p> <p id="p42011004_01-1" class="line"><span class="verse-num inline woc" id="v42011004-1">4 </span><span class="woc">and forgive us our sins,</span></p> <p id="p42011004_06-1" class="indent line"><span class="woc">for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.</span></p> <p id="p42011004_16-1" class="line"><span class="woc">And lead us not into temptation."</span></p> <span class="end-line-group"></span> <p id="p42011005_01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v42011005-1">5 </span>And he said to them, <span class="woc">“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011006-1">6 </span><span class="woc">for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011007-1">7 </span><span class="woc">and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011008-1">8 </span><span class="woc">I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence<span class="footnote"></span> he will rise and give him whatever he needs.</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011009-1">9 </span><span class="woc">And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011010-1">10 </span><span class="woc">For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011011-1">11 </span><span class="woc">What father among you, if his son asks for<span class="footnote"></span> a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011012-1">12 </span><span class="woc">or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?</span> <span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011013-1">13 </span><span class="woc">If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”</span></p><p>I apologize for the length of that passage. Now, the first thing when you look at this, is you see the Lord's Prayer. Our man Luke here does things, again, differently then the other Disciples. Whereas the others in their Gospels focus more on the Lord's Prayer, Luke widens his focus a little bit. The first thing also, is that we see here that Jesus calls us to be <span style="font-style: italic;">BOLD</span> in our approach to God. We <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> approach God with bold persistence, knowing that as a Loving Father, He will Provide for our Spiritual Good. Another thing, is that sometimes we can worry about Prayer. We can think that sometimes, we just don't know how to pray and think it's the end. Well it's not. Jesus says here what we ought to do. We may not necessarily say those exact words...but in Truth, our prayers should long for His will to be done. So prayer is a thing that CAN be learned, not something that either people have, or don't. Some may even wonder what the teaching afterwards actually has to do with the Lord's Prayer. In all honesty, the instruction of verses 5-13 assume the Foundational Instruction of the first four verses (the Lord's Prayer).</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, onto the actual 'story' part. Sometimes for us in this Modern Era, it is sometimes hard to understand the backdrop of these times. In the time when Jesus walked the Earth, Hospitality was a BIG DEAL. A very big deal. Unfortunately, however; their 'supermarkets' of the day weren't open 24 hours as Walmart or some of our other superstores are. For the man knocking on the door, this is a HUGE deal to him. Why? Well, the verse makes it clear that he has 'friends' traveling from afar that have just arrived, and he has NOTHING to feed them. He's DESPERATE to feed his friends, because that's what his culture has him do. Another thing that we miscalculate today is their 'houses'. Back then, it was usually one big room and one huge 'bed'. Usually the family and a couple of the small 'farm animals' would all sleep in the bed...which means it's a big deal for one to get up without waking the entire family.</p><p><br /></p><p>The main point with this story, is the fact that annoyed, the man got up after the neighbor wouldn't stop banging on the door for food. This isn't saying we need to push God to the limits...but the idea is that even if the man, being sinful, still gets up and gives the neighbor what he needs...how much more will a perfect God of Love give you what you need? In more of the 'application' part, Jesus goes on to say the well known: Ask, and it will be given, Knock, and the door will be opened, Seek, and you will find. The idea of 'Persistance' is really reinforced by the increasing intensity of the words 'ask', 'seek', and 'knock'.</p><p><br /></p><p>Martyn Lloyd Jones had this to say on the matter: "The importance of this element of persistence CANNOT be exaggerated. You find it not ONLY in biblical teaching, but also in the lives of the saints. The most fatal thing in the Christian Life is to be content with 'passing desires'. If we really want to be men of God, if we REALLY want to know Him, and walk with Him, and experience those boundless Blessings which He has to offer us, we MUST persist in asking Him for them DAY BY DAY. We have to feel this hunger and thirst for righteousness, and then we shall be filled. And that does not mean that we are filled once and for ever...No, we go on hungering and thirsting." Well, that's paraphrased at least.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hmm, I'm only realizing how good this quote is (though long...) my pastor didn't really hit on it enough. One thing to definitely put on a note: "The most fatal thing in the Christian Life is to be content with 'passing desires'". That's at least the one that jumps out at me the most.</p><p>Jesus then moves on to another illustration, and it's definitely a home-run (yes, I did just reference my worst sport) of an illustration. What's the illustration? Well, it's found in the last three verses of the passage we're looking at. What is that? YES, it's the father-son illustration, and I love it. "<span class="woc">What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;</span><span class="verse-num woc" id="v42011012-1"> </span><span class="woc">or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" And the truth he brings is that, if evil sinful men can be decent fathers and give their sons (children, really) what they need...How much more will God, the Perfect God of Love, give His children the things they need? And truly, the Holy Spirit (besides Himself as a sacrifice) was the best thing that Jesus gave us. Another entire sermon (or good length of pondering) could be focused on the Holy Spirit, but I'm sure you know who 'He' is. Well, still, God, but just another part of the Godhead Trinity.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="woc">So just a few thoughts from here on out: If we truly recognize how much we are in need, then we'll easily grow from there in earnest prayer and become closer to God as we keep on moving towards him in prayer. Also, the main thrust for prayer is really for the Father's Kingdom then REAL SELF needs. Yes, you do have your needs...But what better need do we have then for God to radiate the light in His Gospel around the world? Anything else falls way below that. Also, NEVER EVER back away from God because of past sins or you feel like you're not worthy enough to plead your case before him. A. if we waited until we WERE worthy enough, we would NEVER COME! B. None of us will be worthy anyway...so if you shall ever come, come now. Sooner is better then later. Another thing to think about is the fact that we can't really DISTURB God into giving us our needs (as the neighbor did in the text) but He wants, <span style="font-style: italic;">wants</span> us to plead His case before Him. You won't be answered the same instant...and sometimes in long periods of prayer (maybe years even) we become more desiring for the need. If we didn't have to wait long for something, how'll we know how much we want and need it?</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="woc">I must admit, I have never really been a 'praying' person...but I'm definitely growing. As I look back on the hardships of this past year, I realize how much I did pray more then I ever had before, and I still think I didn't pray enough. I suppose you can never pray enough, though. Anyway, the point is, prayer is a really important and strong showing of Faith...Let's put more and more of our trust in God today, shall we?<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><span class="woc"></span></p>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-85951083792558568412011-10-25T09:19:00.000-07:002011-10-25T10:02:59.284-07:00Joy In The Work Of The FatherThe sermon on Sunday really touched me...it was on Joy and Rejoicing (which, despite my great life and how much of it I don't deserve...I'm not really into being Joyful). Anyway, our church has been doing a long series on Luke, and we're only into Chapter Ten. The text of this sermon comes from Luke 10:1-24. Unfortunately, that is a LENGTHY passage...so I won't be able to copy and paste it here...you'll need to grab your Bible and read along :) (which is good to do anyway). This passage starts out with the so-familiar situation of Jesus sending out the Seventy-Two, two by two, and Jesus' saying: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.". That is where that saying comes from...and although it may be difficult to actually see, Jesus isn't saying that with despair. In this passage from the Bible, we have several reasons to Rejoice. So what is the first one?<br /><br />Well.... I. Rejoice Because The Harvest Is Huge.<br /><br />(but the laborers are few). Well why should we Rejoice in this? Doesn't it sound like there aren't enough laborers to reach out to the World? Exactly. Rejoice in the Mission...The 'Harvest' is getting the message out into the world. What comes next is pretty interesting...Jesus is sending them out, but he also tells them to pray EARNESTLY to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers INTO His harvest. The interesting thing that's going on is that they're praying for Laborers...and then they're set out to go into this 'Harvest' and labor. So really what they're doing in this (at least in MY interpretation) they are in a 'way' asking God to bring them into His harvest...to bring His message everywhere, which leads us to the second reason to Rejoice. What is this second reason?<br /><br />Well... II. Rejoice Because The Peace Of God Is The Message.<br /><br />Truly though, the Disciples aren't really getting what's going on...but they will after the Crucifixion. But what 'Peace of God' am I talking about? Well, right now in our culture, Peace really simply just means 'no war'. When a country is in 'Peace', that nowadays will usually imply that the country is in a state without war. Hmmm...okay, there may not be a war going on, this is true. But that's only the relative meaning of the word Peace. Peace is of prosperity or good health, easy of mind and not having battles inside of you etc. Nowadays, even if a country isn't at war, they are. Wait a second...what do you mean, you might ask. Well, they may not BE FIGHTING against another country...but they are at war with themselves. No matter where you look, even if a country is prosperous and peaceful, they're still dealing with war inside of themselves. Truly, the 'Peace of God' is the Gospel. We Rejoice in THIS because the Gospel is the only thing that can TRUTHFULLY bring PEACE. Trust me...I've been involved with different things...I could find no peace but in this...that I'm a sinner in need of a Savior, because I try to do better...but then I just fall. If I can't do it, then someone has to...and that someone is Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of All.<br /><br />Before I move on though, I want to point out something else. Quickly flip back to Luke 9:51-56. This and the verses of 10:10-15 really coincide. In the 51-56 verse section of chapter 9, Jesus does not 'call down fire' from Heaven onto the Samaritan Village because that wasn't his mission. The section that I just pointed at in Ch. 10 is interesting. Soon, the Son of Man will be handed over to be executed...although no one knows this yet, His actions would save mankind from their spiritual and physical destruction. What he's really saying is, that if anyone of these cities denies him, it would be...well, His message would be in front of them. Unlike the cities before in the Old Testament, these guys could see everything...and if they wouldn't, they'd be worse off then those who really couldn't know about Jesus' Sacrifice. I find that interesting. Anyway, the next point to Rejoice comes in the section of verses 17-20 of Ch. 10.<br /><br />III. Rejoice Because Heaven Is Your Destination.<br /><br />The Disciples have just returned from being out in the 'Harvest'. They are Joyful and in Awe that the demons were under their power in the Name of Jesus. I REALLY love Jesus' response. What Jesus was implying when he spoke of 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven' is that Satan has been hurt by this 'Harvest' and will be COMPLETELY defeated after Jesus' Crucifixion and rising from the Dead to conquer Sin in Death forever. Satan, the power of Sin...is broken. On The Lord's Day spoken of in Revelation, that will be when Satan shall be thrown away, never to make any problem again. Although he is defeated, he still tries to deceive the world's occupants from the Truth...and that's all he can do. God could just do away with him now...but he wants us to go out and proclaim the Truth with His power...to be used to radiate His light into the abyss that Satan has attempted to create. That too shall break...and those who come to know Jesus' Gospel and believe in it will stand with us in Heaven. Their names too shall be on Heaven's book...but let us Rejoice that our names are in that book...not on account of what we've done, but what our Savior has done for us so that we could put our belief in him and go up to the Father. Very quickly before I move on, read verse 19. What does this mean? That nothing will ever hurt us in life? No. It means that we are above those Hostile Creations, that the outcome of our lives is secure: That we will be in Heaven.<br /><br />This has been going on into one long post...but read the final verses down to v. 24. It is interesting because here is where you see the Godhead Three In One in action. Very interesting indeed.B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-68760263492573224672011-10-19T09:22:00.000-07:002011-10-19T09:36:16.116-07:00I'm Back...Maybe...So I finally remembered my password (Only to forget it again in a couple weeks, probably). Anyway, I will be trying to fit in a time to ramble in this little box my thoughts...about stuff, MAINLY Life, God, happiness...etc. Wait a minute? Happiness? Hmm...I'm starting to sound positive again. Good, good. As I have said...I will try to fit in some time to write on here.<br /><br />But right now, I want to just talk a little bit about the debates going on...first off, I'm either for Perry or Cain at the moment. Paul is good on the Economic side, but I think he lost a few points in my book for some stuff he said last night on the debate. About the others that I would consider...Gingrich could work because of his high intellect and quick wit. He's very knowledgeable about the problems at hand, and he knows that we need to mix and match some good stuff between all the candidates and then throw them into one. Unfortunately, because of his lack of morals, he's technically unelectable. Santorum has a mouth, he's very vocal and loud about getting at other people and putting himself up for the best plausible solution. He's obsessed with himself and the things that he's accomplished. Romney's really just a rich jerk trying to find his way into the White House. On the other side of things, Bachman has really good morals...but I give her nothing for the intellectual side of things. She keeps attacking Obama and his failures...but she doesn't really say what she'll do to change things...only very vaguely if at all.B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-65584737291057558232010-11-29T19:29:00.000-08:002010-11-29T19:36:23.508-08:00Yo!Hiya! I haven't posted in a long time due to the fact that....................I actually forgot my Blog Account PASSWORD and I finally remembered it! So, I shall leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:<br /><br />"It's not that I'm a crazy winner, or trying to be above everyone else...I'm in it for the challenge that needs to be shattered."<br /><br />"I DON'T want them to see me. I want them to see HIM in me. That's all that needs to be seen."<br /><br />"There's nothing like committing to our God and his People."<br /><br />"The Servant Of All...It's WHO I am."<br /><br />"Evil is the only thing in the world that can and will break."<br /><br />"Who cannot live without sleep? The wicked."....................................................................................................."I NEED SLEEP!"<br /><br />"I absolutely REFUSE to be responsible for those who even THINK of touching my friends...so back off."<br /><br />"Forget it, I'll grab the chainsaw."<br /><br />"For every problem there is a solution...the problem is finding it."<br /><br />"A Man who loves his job is never really working...He's just being paid for having fun." Rick Fisher, a friend from LDB.<br /><br />"Humility, rightly understood, shouldn't be a fabric softener on our Aspirations. True humility does not kill our dreams; it provides a guard-rail for them." - Dave Harvey<br /><br />"One way to clarify your spirituality is to clarify your ambition." Donald Whitney<br /><br />That's all I have for now, my friends.<br /><br />(BLS is now offline)B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-69228040232839070272010-10-14T09:34:00.000-07:002010-10-14T09:54:13.712-07:00RESURGENCEThis past weekend was awesome. "Past" being Oct. 7-10. This weekend was as close to being perfect as ever: Our church went to a camp-ground in the 'woods' of FL...not really woods, but give poor Floridians a break (It is true that they are missing out). My family bunked in a lodge with two other families. So I pretty much spent twenty four hours a day with my group of best friends: My two sisters, Breanna Wells and Ashley Beloat, who are like sisters to me. Noah, Breanna's younger brother, was with us too. Unfortunately their older brother couldn't make it (Due to work. Yay for work, blech for taking him away lol).<br /><br />To add to this, our church also had a couple services on the campus with worship and sermons. The messages were based on Heaven. I had the closest picture of Heaven in my life. So, then with Friday we worked on getting settled in, had a service in the evening. Sat. morning was...completely different. All of us went to an outdoor lakeside chapel, where we sung hymnals, just like churches of the ancient day would have done.<br /><br />Saturday...after the morning service, it began to get a little weird. Our homegroups competed against each other in several games. The ending game was between Four Twelve and Thrive: Our middle school + high school group against our singles. The game was to eat all of the contents of a bag: Full of disgusting foods, such as sardines, pickeled beats, chewy candy bars (Some said it was disgusting, others liked it), and I had to drink a full tin dressing thing of Ranch. I love Ranch. But...that was just to much. So, when I was back and saw ranch dressing in my refrigerator, I almost threw up. Unfortunately, we foolishly decided to play on the tire swing...when me and Ashley and my sister got off of it, we had to lay down on the grass for a half-an-hour before trying to get back to our lodge. (So that we wouldn't look as if we had been drinking :D).<br /><br />Then it became awesome. Later that night, we had HUMAN FOOSBALL. I'm serious. It was a large enclosed box with a net surrounding it. Poles attached the right side to the left. Slider plastic bars were attached to the poles, with ropes for someone to hold onto. That was utterly awesome. But what was magnificent came next: At the end of the game, we still had an hour and a half till Curfew (11:00 P.M.). So, we went down to a field by the lake. We were stargazing when fireflies started coming out! I had two crawling on me at the same time. It was also fun to lay in the wet grass.<br /><br />Ya happy I posted? I think the last post was a month ago. =OB.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-89588843611340980962010-09-05T12:41:00.000-07:002010-09-05T14:22:27.998-07:00How Do We Know?! 1 John 2:3-11<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Question: How is it that a person comes to know that she or he really knows the Living God?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I. If We Know God, We Will Keep His Command</span>s </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >1 John 2:3</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Not necessarily the ten commandments, keep in mind. John is also </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" > asking the question: "How do we come to know God?" Note, that's not the question. The question is the first sentence. It's a very strong question. How much do you ask it about yourself? I know I ask that question a lot. I even sometimes doubt that everything is okay. I forget the full strength of the Gospel and end up freaking out. John is giving us a test that will help us to be certain that we know the Living God. Keep in mind that no matter what, we will </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">NEVER </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >be perfect in anything we do.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Verse 4 reads out: " 4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Whoa...doesn't that sound harsh? No. Like I said earlier, none of us will do anything perfectly. Verse 5 helps clear things out a little: "But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected." When John says perfected, he is not meaning that WE are perfected. So the question to answer the main one is this: Is the Final Authority In Your Life the Word of God and God himself? In other words, if you really know God, you'll love and look forward to reading his Word, the Holy Bible. You'll pay very close attention to it. You will love learning from Jesus' words and teachings.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >II. If We Know God, We Will Emulate Jesus' Life Of Obedience. 1 John 2:6</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Like I said earlier, don't freak out if you aren't able to be like Jesus perfectly. Listen closely to these couple sentences: None of us, not ONE will be able to do it perfectly. After all, if we can do it perfectly, then what use is Christ? He came to die and save SINNERS, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >NOT </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >PERFECTIONISTS. My Pastor today told a story that went like this:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >A man had finished carving a lion out of wood. Someone asked him, "How did you do that?" The man answered simply, "Quite easily. I just chipped away everything that wasn't lion."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Honestly, I can't understand one word of that. Can you? At least I admitted it. The point of the matter is that the Holy Spirit is like the man. He's chipping away everything that isn't like Christ. It takes time. When we die, we'll go to heaven and become most like him as could be. I'm not sure if we'll exactly be like him equally...but that's not the point of the matter at hand. John is mainly pointing out these things so that the church would be able to see false teachers that surrounded it at the time. An easy way to describe that: If we say "It doesn't matter how we live, Grace is upon us", We don't understand Grace. It does matter how we live our lives. John has already stated it in verse 4.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >III. If We Know God, We Will Love. 1 John 2:7</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >If anything, I think that this is probably the most troublesome for me: I don't really get along with people. The point is not even to get along. It's to </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">LOVE.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" > Now that's definitely something I need to work on. When John says that the command to love is an old one, boy it is. It was there for centuries. Mostly from the entire beginning. If you know God, then you'll love your brother and sister. If I love my God, I'll love </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >MY </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >brother and sister. My friends, this does not mean just siblings described here. (Even though that may be the hardest to do. :D) It also implies friends and other people. I think mainly Christians, but we should love others enough to proclaim the good news to them. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >IV. Thoughts and Conclusion.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >So, do you desire to obey God's Commands? Do you run to the Word for God's perspective on things? Do you read the Bible to just read? I think we should be doing all three. I would refrain from thinking this way as I was doing earlier this morning at the Sermon: Just read the bible so that it will show that we know God.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Oh brother, I just brought up another problem, didn't I? Oops. Here's my answer to that problem: Yes, do read the bible. Have a happy attitude about it though. Each time before you read, I'd suggest maybe asking God to let your heart be attentive to His word, and help you gain something from it. You can try to force the Bible into your day though. It is something that we all need. I've actually come to find that I gain a lot, and it just makes me even feel better when I read, and try to figure things out.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >Other things I have noticed: Life without God and the Bible is practically impossible. Living alone without them, even without people (Even though it seems to be relaxing) is useless. To me anyway. You may have other thoughts. What are the things stopping you from reading the bible? Laziness, perhaps? Work or school? Different activities, maybe? I am wondering how much time we spend sitting and doing nothing instead of reading the bible. Are some of these activities even useful to us? Fitness, looks, making yourself look better and higher? These to me seem like quite a wasteful spent life. What's better? Earthly riches, power and reputation, or being as Christ-like as possible, and eternity with God?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;" >I am most likely a hypocrite. It's something I am trying to fight in myself. I will say this again in a better way from my mind: Every aspect of things on this Earth is useless and frail compared to clinging to Jesus. Think about it. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">BLS</span></span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:courier new;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-15308931827888782352010-06-07T18:29:00.000-07:002010-06-07T19:26:24.928-07:00God Meets You Where You Are: Fear<span style="font-size:78%;">Sorry for the extremely long period with no posts. MUST try to do better. Anyhows, this is coming from Psalm 56. So, you'll need your bibles for this one (I'm not going to put a whole psalm up here). Read Psalm 56 before you read further (Please).<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">I. What Happens When I Am Afraid? Psalm 56:3</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Fear is recurring everywhere: People, animals, (Obviously not things) all around the world. It is phenomenally universal. So...Why do we commonly fear things? How do we know we fear something when it's not obvious?<br /><br />It </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >usually</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> has to do with control. We are </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >typically</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> afraid of things that aren't under our control. It's human nature to desire to have control of things and situations, because it makes you feel so much better. We can also get angry at the things we fear. (Well, duh...I mean, we get mad when we have to do something we're afraid of, right? That shouldn't be to hard to figure out...)<br /><br />David, the psalmist, is terrified. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >(Psalm 56:1, 1 Samuel 21:12-15, Psalm 56:5-6) </span><span style="font-size:78%;">More importantly, when we are afraid we put our trust in God. So: 1. When I am </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">afraid </span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">I put my </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">trust </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">in </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">God.</span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> 2. Our fear </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">always</span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> involves </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">trust</span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">. (Or a lack of trust, or trust in something useless [yourself for one {Yes I'm being mean now, but it's the truth! Me included!}])<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">II. So How Do We Deal With Fear? How Do We Become Unafraid?</span><br /><br />You know, it's truly almost <span style="font-weight: bold;">IMPOSSIBLE</span>. (Unless you're the annoying [I'm not afraid of anything] {In my case, that doesn't apply to me for one reason: I have <span style="font-weight: bold;">no clue.</span> I call things as I see them}) However, looking to the Lord for dealing with fear is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">best</span> answer. No joke. None at all. On the other hand though, that doesn't mean that you won't have things that might scare you. If it's life threatening, (You DO NOT TEST THE LORD BY DOING THIS ON PURPOSE) and you believe your going to heaven because the Son Of God died for you, well your going to a better place anyways. That's my way of thinking. I hope it's yours as well. ;)<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />But, how do we (Our human sinful natures) try to do it? Usually, in the non-believers sense, they'll try to do one of these two things: 1. Avoidance. Just run from the fear all the time. 2. Trying to be self-confident and stand up to your fears. In my mind, choice 2 is a pretty good idea. But let God help you to be confident. Don't be confident in yourself (If something can go wrong, it will) but (With God all things are possible). No joke. God's proven that all throughout history in the bible. After all, what can man possibly do to you? Sure, they could kill you with a shotgun rifle. They could kill you with a knife. They can break all your limbs, but guess what? NONE of that matters! They won't decide whether you go to Heaven or Hell. They will never<br />ever be able to do that. God is the only one who decides where you will spend eternity: Whether it be Hell or Heaven. He's the one you should fear. However, because I'm a Christian, I believe and know that he will lead me to heaven. (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >Matthew 10:28)</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> (That doesn't mean though that I can sin anyway, I will, but I won't do it willingly. I hope. I know you already know that. I've said it time and again on this blog. If you're new to me, well, then now you know. :)<br />"The more you focus on something, (Fear or anything else - put in by me) the more you'll see<br />problems with it," -Wayne Brooks. (My pastor)<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">III. How Do I Put My Trust In God?<br /><br /><br />Hmmm. Well, that's one heck of a question. You don't just do it once, after all. He said "When I am afraid I put my trust in God." That's <span style="font-weight: bold;">literally</span> what he means. The only other way I can think to put it: You want to grow in your trust in God? Well, by all means, grow in <span style="font-weight: bold;">knowing</span> God. :) Once you really know a lot about God by reading the Bible, and you have held a conversation with him, you should be able to fully put your trust in him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">IV. Why Overcome Fear?</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Well, now that's another amazing question. You're pretty good at this. ;) My Pastor said this:<br /><br />"The problem with fear is keeping us away from glorifying our Heavenly Father and Savior."<br /><br />Truly, I had </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >NEVER EVER </span><span style="font-size:78%;">thought of that before. I mean, now it totally makes sense. I can put this into reason now: We may be afraid to talk to people about our Heavenly Father and His Son who died for them. What happens if they want to kill me? Well, that is fear, and it gets in the way of us serving our Lord.<br /><br />Any MORE amazing questions? Feel free to ask. I'll see if I can help you. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />BLS</span><br /></span></span>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5884303445148840789.post-72542513005695507732010-03-09T18:04:00.000-08:002010-03-10T12:10:03.954-08:00...<span style="font-size:78%;">Again, it's been like a month since i've posted. I THOUGHT I told myself to follow it up...and i haven't really been busy, but apparently my head doesn't get the memo. :) Anyhows, here 'tis:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Flesh Vs. Spirit</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Gal. 5:22-24: "But the Fruit Of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">It is apparent that Paul teaches True Godliness shows and reflects and happens at the very core of our lives: How we Live and Think. True Spirituality is the result of the work of the Spirit. This isn't saying that even evil spirituality is work of the flesh; NO, True (RIGHTEOUS) Spirituality is of the Holy Spirit, but Evil Spirituality is work of the flesh.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">I. Kind Of Fruit Produced By The Spirit.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Sorry, this...is a list, but I'll try to do my best at differentiating it. (And hopefully i don't fail miserably.)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">A. Love - 1 John 3:14 "</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death." THAT IS, the GENUINE LOVE. NOT the word Love that the WORLD has defined. This love isn't really...true. True Love for someone is all for another's good, </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> and it's selfless, even to the point of death. Now I'm pretty sure that the way the world has defined love is not like this. Second guess me if I'm wrong, but I don't think so. :)<br /><br />B. Joy: Now, the true world does not know what this is. Yes, you can be joyful when good things are happening to you that is amazing. But TRUE JOY is ALWAYS in a Christian. Even when things are going bad. Huh? You might be thinking. Isn't that wrong to be joyful when everything seems to be going against you? Well let me answer that for you :) . Well, I don't think i put the question right. But the answer is no. We can be joyful even in hardships, because we know that we really do deserve to have it going against us. We will always sin, and fail; but Jesus Christ died for us...therefore, it doesn't matter if it's not all working out. We can be joyful in trials because we know that we're still going to be in Heaven, and God is doing this for the best. He always knows what he's doing. In pain, suffering, and affliction, this is all just to make us cry out for the Lord, knowing that he knows what he's doing, and this is all for our best. It truly is. Now, I'm not saying that it is bad to not be joyful in hard circumstances, it's easy to be depressed. But try to be joyful in that loving and gracious fact that is unbelievable.<br /><br />C. Peace: Rom. 5:1: "</span><span style="font-size:78%;">Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Not divided or split up; but whole, secure and not worrying or anxious.<br /><br />D. Patience: A calm willingness to endure irritating troubles. 1 Tim. 1:16: "</span><span style="font-size:78%;">But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." and Col. 3:12: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Because of His Patience w/ us, we can be [and should be] patient w/ others. Not just do these, but in light of that Jesus Christ did all these things for us and to us, now we can do all of these for and to others. :)<br /><br />E. Kindness: Because he was kind and caring to us to die for our sins, we can manifest this kindness to others, even though we didn't deserve his kindness, and they don't deserve our kindness.<br /><br />F. Goodness: Same thing as above, but a sorta different category.<br /><br />G. Faithfulness<br /><br />H. Gentleness<br /><br />I. Self Control<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">II. The Spirit Does What The Law Cannot Do.<br /><br />Gal. 5:23.<br />The Law can't perform these acts. You can only become this way by asking and crying out to God for help. This is what the Holy Spirit is producing. :) The Law as given to only restrain evil, but these things and qualities do not need to be restrained. We will bear the fruit of the Spirit by availing ourselves of the means of Grace that God gives to us.<br /><br />III. The Believer Must Turn From Works Of The Flesh To Fruit Of Spirit.<br /><br />Gal. 5:24.<br /><br />A. "Have Crucified.<br /><br />B. Every Christian will make progress in their growth in the grace and in conformity to the image of Christ.<br /><br />Sorry, the last part was excerpts on the note sheet. I did that because at that point in the sermon, my pen ran out of ink. haha. :)<br /><br /><br />B.L.S. out. :)</span>B.L.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10083958965906289445noreply@blogger.com11