tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80529262463092295372024-03-13T18:52:44.214-03:00What a Fine ThingJust some of my random ramblings.Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-75397441139022838892016-09-17T02:58:00.000-03:002016-09-17T02:58:41.087-03:00A Christian with Depression<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Permit me share with you something
which few people outside of my immediate family know; I deal with fairly severe
depression and have done so for more than ten years now. As with anyone else
who faces depression, I have my good days and my bad days. There are times I do
not even think about depression, and there are times I have a hard time forcing
myself to get out of bed. Most people do not know this about me for two
reasons: I do not talk about it, and I am good at being “on;” rising to the
occasion while in public and being able to power through the hard times.
Related to being “on,” I force myself to keep going, even when I feel like I
cannot do so any longer. Why am I writing of this tonight? For some reason, I
think this curtain needs to be pulled back at this time. Why specifically
tonight? I could not tell you for the life of me. With that context put in
place, I want to share with you some things I have learned being a Christian
with depression.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b>1) The whole “good heart,” feel
good, unthinking emotionalism of our age is dangerous; particularly for people
with depression.</b> This is typically meant to encourage people and make them feel
better about themselves. In fact, I remember one camp service where the guest
speaker had the congregation repeat (several times), “I have a good heart.”
While I understand this speaker likely wanted people to realize they are now a
new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), there are more accurate ways to
describe that truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The problem with the whole “good
heart” movement is it is anti-Scriptural. Jeremiah 17:9 states plainly, “The
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
Some have said this heart described is one which should not/does not exist
within the Christian (usually citing Jeremiah or Ezekiel’s contrast between the
heart of stone and heart of flesh), but it does not answer the reality of the
many Christians who<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">still<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">deal
with depression; even years and countless times of asking for this “thorn in
the flesh” to be removed. Besides that, the context in both Ezekiel and
Jeremiah speak of the day when the Exile would end and the people would again
love the Law of the Lord and would obey Him; not that they would feel
blissfully happy all the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you suffer from depression,
remember that your heart is deceitful and cannot be trusted. This sounds jaded
to those who have never faced depression, but the truth is a lifeline to those
who deal with this sickness. If you follow the concept of “following your
heart,” you will be lost whenever your mood changes. There will be days your
heart/depression tells you to just give up and that things will never be
better; this is a lie. Hold fast to the truth that your heart is deceitful.
Ignore the changing of emotions and rely on truth.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>2) Many people and even church services are very emotionally
focused; this is also dangerous for those who deal with depression. </b>Music is
played, lights are manipulated, and in some places, you even see smoke/fog
machines. In some places, you’ll hear people tell you to jump, to dance, to
repeat, to do all sorts of things which are meant to elicit a specific
emotional response. Perhaps the worst though is when someone starts off the day
with “How’s everyone doing today?!” This question is inevitably answered with
claps and shouts of encouragement/joy; except by those who deal with
depression. This tends to make those with depression feel even more alone than
normal; after all, they seem to be the only ones who are not feeling waves of
joy first thing in the morning. In fact, they have often had to put in
considerable work just to get there. Asking how we feel at any given time may
not give the same expected result. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As with the first note, if a
depressed person follows how they<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">at any given time, they will be
totally lost. There will be days you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">like you should just run away from all
responsibilities, all future plans, and even your faith. There will be days you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">unloved and that you should just leave
or end it all. There will be days you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">like this depression is all you will
ever feel or know. Unfortunately, there are also days when you will<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">like
you are not forgiven, and that you are doomed for eternity. Again, do not
follow the ever changing, unthinking emotionalism which is so prevalent in the
world (and even some churches) today. Instead, stand on the truth. On days you
feel you are not forgiven, remember the truth that “If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Additionally, since there are times
you will<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">condemned and lost, remember that “And
by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before
Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all
things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward
God” (1 John 3:19–21). Again, hold to the truth rather than to changing
feelings. It is not how we may<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">feel</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">that matters so much. What matters is
that we stand on the unchanging truth. There is no confidence in changing
emotion for the depressed Christian, but we have confidence in truth.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>3) In the middle of troubles, trials, and depression, God is still
in control. </b>Regardless of how you may feel at any given time, God is faithful.
On Sinai, He even identified Himself as “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and
gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing
the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the
children’s children to the third and the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:6–7).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We serve a faithful God who is
steadfast and unchanging even when it feels like we are being tossed about by
wave after wave of depression and loss. Even when we feel hopeless, He gives us
hope. Furthermore, because God is faithful, He will not permit any outside
influence to remove us from relationship with Him; only we could do that. “For
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor
powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any
other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I do not have all the answers, and there are still times I feel
overwhelmed by depression. There are days it is incredibly difficult to force
myself to get up and get moving. There are times I would be totally lost if I
were to rely on how I felt. Yet by holding to the truth, I can keep moving. I
know that I serve a faithful, just God. I know that He is merciful and understanding.
I know that “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews
4:15). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Furthermore, I know that the day
will come when depression will be no more; when “the tabernacle of God [will
be] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God
Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation
21:3b–4). </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you suffer from depression and you are a Christian, you’ve
likely felt as though you should be able to move through life without this
issue. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Remember that your heart is deceitful and cannot be trusted; stand on
the truth. You’ve likely felt a great number of hopeless feelings. Again,
remember that God is faithful; stand on the truth. You’ve likely felt lost,
tossed about on a turbulent sea of depression and loss. Remember, God is still
in control and He promises a future without this terrible depression if we are
in Him; stand on the truth. You may have even found yourself doubting your
calling or ability to fulfill that which God has placed in your soul to do.
Remember that even when we cannot do it, He is faithful and Almighty.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Think of Paul and his “thorn in the
flesh” which he identifies as a messenger of Satan. “Concerning this thing I
pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to
me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9). You may have been dealing with this
depression for a very long time (I know I have), but God is still faithful, and
He will enable you to do the task He has set before you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do not allow depression or the Enemy
to win over you. As depressed Christians, “We are hard-pressed on every side,
yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). I do not know
why I thought to share this tonight, but I did. I hope this may have helped
someone. What it all comes down to for me is this: feelings and the heart are
deceitful and troubling, but the truth is unchanging and God is faithful. Trust
and hope in Him and even when depression rages, your faith will be placed in
the steadfast Rock. As the old hymn says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand.” Trust in the Lord and He will help you
weather this storm.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">God
bless,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Benjamin</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-68874755825363598232014-12-16T12:00:00.003-04:002015-12-29T05:40:25.620-04:00When Doors Slam ShutThough strange I may be, I do not consider myself particularly stranger than the rest of mankind. As the saying goes, "You're unique; just like everyone else." I have my own thoughts, hopes, desires, and dreams. By the same token, I have my own failures, limitations, frustrations, and fears. I would do myself a great disservice to consider my struggles or triumphs of any greater or lesser value than another's.<br />
<br />
I have discovered though, that my unique blend of successes and failures are my own. Try as I might, I cannot be someone else. My academic and ministerial career is my own, and to strive to become anyone other than who God created me to be would be foolish at best. Yet for the longest time, I have done exactly that.<br />
<br />
I remember the tremendous sense of failure and inadequacy I felt whenever I heard of how well my father did while attending Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. After all, he was a husband, a father, a student, he worked full time as campus security, served as a youth pastor, regularly preached on the radio, visited people with Pastor Green, and aced every class in which he was enrolled. Then, this amazing man graduated and began pastoring churches where he would work (at times) eighty hours a week or more. How could I ever hope to measure up to my father?<br />
<br />
While serving as pastor and studying Pastoral Ministry through correspondence, I would often feel overwhelmed with all that had to be done. In those times, I would question what seemed to be obvious failures. I was not measuring up to my father; I was unable to properly juggle all that was taking place in my life. Something desperately serious had to be wrong with me. Why else could I not succeed?<br />
<br />
Despite the encouragement of my mother, father, and wife, I refused to believe I was anything but a failure. "You are not your father," they would remind me in hopes of lifting my spirits. Unfortunately, my twisted sense of self always heard those words as proof of my shortcomings. I was not my father, and I never would reach that standard. Now, lest it be thought my parents in any way forced me to follow a certain path in life, let me clarify that such a thought would be categorically false. They have always claimed they would be proud of their children if we worked in a gas station as long as it made us happy and we were serving God.<br />
<br />
With this foundation laid, permit me to share my purpose for writing today. This past spring, the church I was pastoring closed. Without going into detail, I will say the timing was unexpected for me. We knew the church was foundering, but still held out hope for revival and renewal. Then in May of this year (2014), I received a call which broke my heart. The situation had changed in an instant, and the church would not be able to remain open.<br />
<br />
Not only was I heartbroken for a church with such history to close, but people my wife and I had come to know, love, and lift up in prayer would be losing their home church. Also, my sense of failure began to overshadow me. Though some do not believe me, I did my very best while serving in that church. I visited the sick and the well, I visited people in the local community who did not attend the church, my wife and I organized programs for children, hosted movie nights, hosted dinners, arranged for special musical nights, brought in special guests, had community bonfires through the summer, and did not take money from the church budget to do so. My wife learned to play piano to provide music for the worship services and I learned to play guitar. We often were the only ones who came to prayer meetings, but were faithful to pray for the church regardless of whether or not anyone else attended.<br />
<br />
Everything I could possibly think of, we tried. Still, it was not enough. The church closed and I, like others, blamed myself. Surely there had to have been something else to try. If only I had done _________. If only I had thought to try __________. If only I had been perfect and never made a mistake.<br />
<br />
I thank God for a wonderful, loving couple from that congregation. Were it not for the prayers, encouragement, and love from that couple, I likely would have given up. When some voices spoke my own fears "I never thought he should have been our pastor," that couple encouraged us and cared for us.<br />
<br />
Still, I felt the loss keenly. I couldn't help but wonder for long months afterward if the other voices were right. Had I truly failed so spectacularly? Was it all my fault?<br />
<br />
The way had closed for me. Since I had dedicated myself to study through correspondence while pastoring rather than following the traditional path, no church wanted me as their pastor. My education was incomplete. I felt utterly hopeless and felt like a complete failure. "If only," and "maybe if" became my laments. It seemed every door had closed and not even a window of hope could open.<br />
<br />
Parker Palmer said it well when he wrote, "When way closes behind us, it is tempting to regard it simply as the result of some strategic error: had I been smarter or stronger, that door would not have slammed shut, so if I redouble my efforts, I may be able to batter it down. But that is a dangerous temptation."<br />
<br />
I did not have the best attitude in the wake of the church closing. When it became clear I would not enter a new pastorate, I applied to Kingswood University to more quickly complete my education. Initially, my goal was simply to complete my degree so I could begin again in pastoral ministry. I was still trying to batter down closed doors under my own strength and understanding.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, God has worked on my heart through the summer. Before the fall semester even began, He changed my desires and goals tremendously. With His help and the unfailing encouragement of my wife to no longer put off my ultimate dream, I set out on a new path. Instead of beating on a closed door, it finally dawned on me that there was something else God wanted for me; something else I wanted as well.<br />
<br />
Though my initial reason for applying to continue my education was selfish and an effort to "just get it over with," everything has changed. Rather than pursuing a degree in Pastoral Ministry, I am now seeking a degree in Theology as the first of many steps toward earning my doctorate. Instead of hoping to merely survive, I am joyfully anticipating the coming years obtaining my Bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees, and my doctorate. Rather than pastoring, I hope and plan to teach.<br />
<br />
I will freely admit this has been a painful journey to understand what I truly desire to be, but it has been worthwhile. I am finally able to realize I am not a failure. Rather, a door closed so I could be directed onto a different path. Instead of regarding all as my fault, I have finally come to realize my insistence on blaming myself was overly narcissistic; it is not all about me.<br />
<br />
I understand this post is vastly different than my normal writing, but I felt strongly to share from my heart. I only hope by being transparent in regard to my struggles, someone may come to the realization of what God wants to do in their life. Maybe this will help someone learn to stop attempting to beat down a closed door and will help them learn to accept the new path laid out for them. If nothing else, this is praise to God for a wonderful, encouraging family and for helping me realize I am not a failure.<br />
<br />
Be encouraged, and may God bless you!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-26453039356819438912014-10-16T22:18:00.001-03:002015-12-29T05:37:21.502-04:00Supernatural Showdown<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sadly, there
are many people who blame the devil for every trouble they face. Flat tire?
There must have been a demon slashing your tire. Alarm didn't go off this
morning? An evil spirit must have unplugged the cord. And on the other side of
the coin, there is the prevailing attitude that if something bad happens to
someone we don't get along with, God is punishing them. After all, EVERYTHING
has to be spiritual, right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The devil
unplugged your alarm, but God is punishing that person you don't get along with
by unplugging their alarm? It is utter foolishness! I'll touch more on why bad
things happen later, but first I want to point out something incredibly simple
that many people have difficulty understanding. That is that God is not like
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Isaiah 55:8-9</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">records, <b><span style="color: red;">“8 ‘For </span></b></span><span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My thoughts are not your
thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. 9 ‘For </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than
your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What you think
should be is not necessarily what God thinks should be. For example, there are
people who think that there should be a worse Hell for more evil people.
However, the true torture of Hell is separation from God; something without
degrees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, Scripture
speaks of fire, brimstone, and eternal torment, but it is being separated from
God with no hope that would be the worst. God says that sin is sin, and one
person's sin is no worse than yours. This simple fact should show us that God's
ways and thoughts are not like ours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maybe you're
wondering where I'm going with this. Well, rest easy because I am going to tell
you. Just because you think someone should be punished in a certain way, at a
certain time, for a certain reason doesn't mean that God agrees with you. By
the same token, there are times that God allows things to happen to us (note:
ALLOWS, not MAKES) that we don't understand. I think of poor Job at times like
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look at how
the book of Job opens: <b><span style="color: red;">“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and
that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Job 1:1</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Job was a man
who was righteous, good, nice, wonderful, whatever you want to call him. He was
a good man who you would expect nothing but good for. We are told some more
about him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Namely, he would
even offer sacrifices on behalf of his children in case they sinned! He was a
man who trusted God and did right. Yet as the account unfolds, we read of
something that bodes ill for Job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">considered My servant Job, that there is
none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">shuns evil?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Does Job fear God for nothing? <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have You not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that
he has on every side? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he
will surely </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">curse </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You to Your face!</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">12 And the Lord said to Satan, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Behold, all that he has is in your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">power; only do not lay a
hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Job 1:8-12</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We don't like
to think about this passage. Oh no, it is far easier to think that any hardship
is because the devil is raging against us and any hardship our “enemies” face
is because of God's judgement. The idea that God may allow things to happen to
us to grow us, prove us, or even encourage others in the future is not an idea
we like to consider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now please
note that I am not saying for an instant that the devil never attacks us. Far
from it! <b><span style="color: red;">Ephesians
6:16</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>speaks of, <b><span style="color: red;">“...taking </span></b></span><span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked one.”</span></b></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, there are
times that the enemy rages against us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">C.S. Lewis
wrote in 1951speaking of – <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“…two equal and opposite errors into which our race can
fall about the devils…. to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to
believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. [The devils] are
equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the
same delight.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #00b050;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So yes, there
are demons/fallen angels (one of which is Lucifer who we call Satan) and they do
come against humanity. However, I do not believe for a second that there is a
demon behind every bush or that every step you take is dogged by darkness. Of
course, if you obsess with and consistently surround yourself with evil things,
that’s a different story altogether. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are also
times that the Lord judges the wicked in this life. <b><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy 32:35 </span></b>records, <b><span style="color: red;">“Vengeance is Mine,
and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their
calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Despite there
being times when the Lord punishes the wicked in this life and the devil
attacks the righteous, we need to stop looking to blame the spiritual realm for
everything. Yes, God is the Righteous Judge of all the earth, and He will deal
with us all accordingly, but He is not your hitman that will smite that person
because they cut you off in traffic. He is not just sitting in Heaven waiting
for people to slip up so He can strike them down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes, bad
things happen; especially so when humans are involved. Being agents of free
will, we are able to make choices which affect our lives and the lives of
others. Going back to the alarm clock example, if you stop plugging the cord
into a loose outlet, maybe it won't be unplugged in the morning! Maybe if you
checked your tires regularly, you would have noticed if they were worn in a
spot or if you had picked up a nail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Just because
something bad happened to you doesn't necessarily mean that God was punishing
you or that the devil was attacking you. Just because something bad happened to
someone you don't care for doesn't mean that God is punishing them or the devil
is attacking them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And let me
take it a step farther: what if God had allowed your alarm to become unplugged
so that you would be late so that you would avoid an accident? Or if you picked
up a nail in your tire so that something else more potentially devastating
could be prevented? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My wife's car
had the brake lines let go a short while back. Being back in university, car
repairs are never enjoyable. However, it came to light because of that incident
that her engine is not good. It will still work for use around town, but we
were told not to take it on long trips under any circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Imagine now if
the brakes had not let go and we had driven her car down to Nova Scotia (a six
and a half hour drive). We could have been stranded at the least, and severely
hurt or killed as the result of an accident. Am I happy that her car is in need
of further repair? Absolutely not! But I am glad that we were spared tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">All of that to
say this: we need to stop with the bad attitude! My biggest issue with the
attitude of “God, smite them” is that it totally against the attitude of
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">27 But I say to you who hear: Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray
for those who spitefully use you.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Luke 6:27-28</span></b>)
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If we could
all learn to do that, posts like this wouldn’t even be necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God bless,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Binyamin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-10020923815239989152014-09-12T14:27:00.001-03:002015-12-29T05:35:49.496-04:00Hard Words<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are certain times in life where
God passes down “hard words.” These are not necessarily words that are
difficult to understand, but are words that people do not want to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For example, we love to hear that God
is love (<b><span style="color: red;">1 John
4:8</span></b>), and it makes us giddy to hear that He has <b><span style="color: red;">“loved us with an everlasting love”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 31:3</span></b>). However, we do not like to be
reminded of the fact that <b><span style="color: red;">“all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Romans 3:23</span></b>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We don’t appreciate being reminded of
God being the Righteous Judge of all the earth (<b><span style="color: red;">Genesis 18:25</span></b>) or of Him being a
jealous God (<b><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy
6:15</span></b>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elijah was less than impressed when
the brook Cherith dried up in <b><span style="color: red;">1 Kings 17</span></b>. After all, he had been taken care of
at Cherith, had been provided for, and had been hidden from his enemies. When
the brook dried up though, he seemed to have become vulnerable again. He had to
step out in faith when life again became difficult. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hard words and hard times are inevitable
in life; regardless of how we feel about them. What I want to draw your
attention to today is a particularly hard word that was passed down to God’s
people in captivity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jeremiah 29:4-10</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- <b><span style="color: red;">4 Thus says the
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I
have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and
dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your
sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and
daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the
peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray
to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let
your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen
to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to
you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at
Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to
return to this place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh, we love to hear <b><span style="color: red;">verses 11-14</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>of <b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 29</span></b>. We love to hear of the plan and the
purpose God has for us! Why wouldn’t we? Despite it being a promise to that
particular people in that specific time, such a promise shows God’s heart and
we are able to know that He wants the best for us! We know and proclaim that He
has good plans for us and those plans will prosper us! Right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I feel for poor Jeremiah. As a young
man, he is called by God to spend his life declaring doom and gloom on God’s
wayward children. He had the unpopular message of the day! When all the false
prophets were proclaiming peace and victory, Jeremiah had to stand against them
and speak what God had told him; he had to preach hard words. Words of God
like:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">And you, even yourself, Shall let go of your heritage which I gave
you; And I will cause you to serve your enemies In the land which you do not
know; For you have kindled a fire in My anger which shall burn forever.</span> </span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 17:4</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">12 I also spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these
words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and
serve him and his people, and live! 13 Why will you die, you and your people,
by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord has spoken
against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">14 Therefore do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to
you, saying, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they prophesy a lie
to you; 15 for I have not sent them,” says the Lord, “yet they prophesy a lie
in My name, that I may drive you out, and that you may perish, you and the
prophets who prophesy to you.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 27:12-15</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Judah would be enslaved for seventy
years, and there was nothing to be done about it. They wouldn’t be able to
convince God to go back on what He had declared. There was no hope of victory
over Babylon. Exile was a foregone conclusion and it was time to stop listening
to false prophets and stop being deluded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maybe you are wondering what my point
is. After all, my posts are generally uplifting or hopeful. Why am I so bent on
depressing you by writing of Jeremiah, the Wailing Prophet, probably the man
with the most depressing message to enter the pages of Scripture? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The answer is no great theological
statement. This will not be some great paradigm changing post, and maybe it
will be seen as anticlimactic. Still, this is why I am writing about Jeremiah:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are hard words and hard times we
face. Instead of looking solely to the future, instead of lamenting our current
lot in life, there are times when we need to learn to be satisfied with where
we are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are times when we need to trust
the Lord and be content with the hardship we are facing. That’s not a popular
idea in our culture that is obsessed with peace and prosperity in all areas of
life, but it is still true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Judah was told to build homes, plant
gardens, have children, give their children in marriage, and seek the peace of
the city. They were to settle in and make a life in Babylon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We have such trouble reconciling that
to our picture of God! We have trouble understanding (or don’t WANT to
understand) that Judah was told to make a life where they were because their
circumstances weren’t going to change any time soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We can’t imagine being “stuck” in our
troubles. We get the idea that God is going to snap His fingers and
miraculously remove us from every issue, and make everything sunshine and
roses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is almost as if we forget that
sometimes we must go through <b><span style="color: red;">“the valley of the shadow of death”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>and have a table set <b><span style="color: red;">“in the presence of our enemies”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 23</span></b>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That is not to say that we will always
have trouble, but we are fools if we think that everything is going to be easy!
We are absolutely blind if we think that God will instantly remove us from
trouble. He CAN, but that doesn’t mean that He always will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jesus even said in <b><span style="color: red;">John 16:33</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>- <b><span style="color: red;">These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We can have peace and joy in God
regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we will still have
trouble in this world! Paul perfectly speaks to my intention in writing this
blog post when he speaks of contentment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how
to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Philippians 4:11-13</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don’t turn a deaf ear to what God says
just because it makes you uncomfortable or you don’t want to hear what He says.
Don’t ignore God if He tells you to make a home where you are. As the old
saying goes, “Bloom where you’re planted”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, God promises: <b><span style="color: red;">11 For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to
give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to
Me, and I will listen to you. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all
your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back
from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the
places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the
place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 29:11-14</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God will not forget His people, He will
never leave nor forsake them, and He does care and love them. Still, we need to
learn to be content with wherever He has placed us, obey Him regardless of
whether or not we feel like it, and be His people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don’t serve God or love Him
conditionally; don’t simply follow the Lord when things are good. Love and trust
Him even when told to settle in Babylon. And know that He always has the best
in mind for those who follow Him; even if you can’t see it right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Romans 8:28</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">May the Lord bless you wherever you
find yourself,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Binyamin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-23304317942750458592014-07-02T00:39:00.000-03:002015-12-29T05:33:55.788-04:00What Are You So Afraid Of?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, I am beginning another blog post
with a basic statement. You see, my basic statement
this time is a statement that should not exist. There are many, many people who
are afraid in this world. What I find even worse to hear though is the fact
that many Christians are afraid in this life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Whether the fear is financial,
emotional, medical, spiritual, or of any other origin, people find all kinds of
things to be afraid of. Now, it would be easy to say that fear is irrational or
that some fears are grounded in common sense; after all, it would be foolish to
jump out of an airplane without a parachute (though I think it a bit strange to
jump out of an airplane anyway). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, it would be easy to say one of
those things however I don’t think that we, as Christians, should be afraid of
anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2 Timothy 1:7</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- <b><span style="color: red;">For God has not
given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh yes, I know that you are reading
this and thinking, “easier said than done.” After all, what do I know about
your personal fears and worries? I don’t know what it is that you are afraid
of, but let me tell you a little story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When I was younger, I used to have
night terrors. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that one
recurring factor was of demons attempting to drag me to Hell. Then, when I was
older (but still young), my father scared me. He didn’t mean to scare me as
terribly as he did, but it bothered me for a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You see, he hid beneath a church pew
in the dark and grabbed my leg as I walked by. In an instant, all those night
terrors flooded back; all my fears came together at once. It took a long time
for me to get over that, silly thing though it was and to this day, I’m still
not comfortable in dark churches at night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Why am I telling you this? Because I
understand what it is to have a fear; something that may seem irrational to
others but still gripped my heart in terror. So now comes the obvious question:
if I don’t think Christians should be afraid of anything, then why is it I was
afraid for so long? The answer is quite simple, really. I’m still human and
need to remind myself of WHY I shouldn’t be afraid. I’m still a work in
progress, just like you, and have not reached perfection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Still, it is obvious to me that since
God has <b><span style="color: red;">“not
given us a spirit of fear,”</span></b> we do not need to live in fear. But why?
What reason do we have to not fear? I don’t believe it is enough to simply say
that we shouldn’t be afraid. I think we should know WHY we shouldn’t be and don’t
need to be afraid. So, without further ado, let’s look at why we don’t have to
fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Namely, we don’t need to fear because
we have God on our side. Look at what Jesus said when faced with arrest in
Gethsemane: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who
take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now
pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of
angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen
thus?”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Matthew 26:52-54</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Did you get that? Jesus said that He
could have been provided with more than twelve legions worth of angels had He
so wished. That’s impressive! How impressive? I’m so glad you asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A Roman Legion, a military grouping
Jews of that age would have been familiar with, could comprise of up to 6,000
soldiers though the average was some 5,400. So when Jesus says that He could
have called down more than twelve legions of angels to aid Him, He was
indicating that He could call upon a massively overwhelming force to rescue Him
from the soldiers that had come out to arrest Him. The number, in case you are
curious, was (more than) 72,000 angels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, I can just hear some readers
thinking to themselves, “Well that’s all well and good, but that was Jesus; not
me. I can’t call down one legion of angels much less twelve.” I believe Jesus
would refer to you as being <b><span style="color: red;">"of little faith."</span></b> While it is true that Jesus is
and was fully God and we are human, I think we forget the great truth of our
new kinship with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans 8:16-17</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- <b><span style="color: red;">16 The Spirit
Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if
children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we
suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes! Look at those terms:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Heir/Joint-Heirs</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">– <b><span style="color: #00b050;">Partakers,
sharers, one gaining a portion. </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are partakers in the promise of
God! We are bought with a price and brought into the family. I know that my
last post was about the fact that we are slaves to righteousness, but we are
also sons and daughters of the Most High God! We share the promise of God and
we can know that He watches over us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I
will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous
right hand.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 41:10</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, we don’t need to be afraid because
God is watching over us and we are joint-heirs with Christ; we are partakers of
the promise and we know that God is on our side. Additionally, we can see in <b><span style="color: red;">John 14:12-14</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works
that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I
go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will
do it."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That tells me that (since God is
watching over us and we belong to Him and He protects us) we can call on Him
for help and know that He will provide help! ALSO, we can know that nothing
happens to us without God’s knowledge and permission. Note that I am not saying
that God causes bad things to happen; I am simply saying that He allows it and
is aware of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Job 1:6-12</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- <b>6 Now there was a
day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan
also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So
Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from
walking back and forth on it.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who
fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job
fear God for nothing? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and
around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your
hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your
power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the
presence of the Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then in <b><span style="color: red;">Job 2:1-7</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>we
see:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself
before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan
answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from
walking back and forth on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who
fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although
you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” 4 So Satan answered
the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his
life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">5 But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh,
and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 6 And the Lord said to Satan,
“Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job
with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God is aware of what you will face and
He allows it. This bothers some people, but they don’t seem to realize that God
still provides a way through the hard times of life. Look at it this way: if
God allows something to happen, don’t you think that He’ll also bring you
through?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am reminded of the Israelites in the
desert. <b><span style="color: red;">Exodus
15:22-25</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>records:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into
the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no
water. 23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of
Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we
drink?” 25 So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he
cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A lot of people skim through this
passage or look only at the miracle of the waters being made drinkable. What
they miss is how God provides! Have you ever stopped to think about the tree?
Probably not! After all, that was just a tool in the miracle, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What about the fact that there, in the
desert, in a place with bitter water, in a place where the Israelites would one
day stand in need of good water, grew a single tree? Does that seem odd to you?
It sure does to me until you factor in God’s providing nature. The Lord knew
that His people would one day stand at Marah needing good, clean water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He knew that they would be in need and
that a hard time would come their way. Did He remove the obstacle? No! He
allowed them to face it and learn to trust in Him all the while providing the
way out. He caused that tree to grow for that specific purpose. I find that
amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know you’re thinking that I’ve gone
off on a rabbit trail; it IS late after all. But no, I say all that to say
this: God provides for you. Whatever fear you deal with, whatever situation you
face, whatever uncertainty, no matter how difficult, God is with His children
and will protect them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Psalm 139:16</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">also says, <b><span style="color: red;">Your eyes saw my
substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days
fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Lord knows what the days of our
life will amount to. He has His plan and the Enemy cannot stop it. Sure, we
could each shorten our days with foolish living, but God has a plan that the
Enemy cannot end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Why fear for your life? God holds it
in His hand. Why fear the Enemy? He is defeated and even if that roaring lion
tries to attack you, you can call on our Lord who will send him whimpering back
to Hell. Why fear financial troubles? Why fear what you will eat or what you
will wear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Matthew 6:31-34</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- <b>31 “Therefore do
not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What
shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your
heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I understand that this has been a long
post, and if you have stuck with it until the end, I applaud you. My point
through all of this is rather simple. Don’t be afraid. When you grow afraid or
anxious, remember who you are. You are a child of God; someone who has been
purchased and washed in the blood; a joint-heir with Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You are precious to God and can call
on Him, expecting and knowing that He will deliver you. You can know that no
matter what the Enemy throws at you, you can stand firm on the name of Jesus
and call on the Lord. And when that happens, you know that you have the power
of all Heaven backing you up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I hope this encourages you, reminds
you of who you are, and Who you belong to. I hope that you smile and feel stronger
as you realize that you can call on the Lord, the Master of all, the Creator of
the universe, the Mighty King, the Most High God, and know that He will take
care of you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So readers, do not be afraid. Rather,
rejoice that you are saved, that you belong to God, and that all of Heaven
stands ready to do battle for you at the call of Jesus’ name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God bless you and strengthen you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Binyamin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-43553299294631155112014-06-18T18:51:00.001-03:002015-12-29T05:31:03.006-04:00Thoughts of a Slave<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I want to serve the Lord!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I gave my life to Jesus when I was ____
years old.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I’m a Christian; I serve God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">These are examples of statements said
by many a Christian over the years. I am certain that all who claim the name of
Christian have said one of those things or something similar at one point or
another. After all, that is what Christianity is, isn’t it? We are supposed to
serve and live for the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Most likely, you are wondering where I’m
going with this blog post. After all, these are very basic statements I am
making. I want to address a problem with Christianity though. That problem?
Claiming to serve the Lord and claiming to have the desire to serve the Lord,
but proving it to be false by our actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh yes, we prove ourselves to be liars
when we claim that we serve the Lord but refuse to live out that statement. You
see, more often than not, what we really mean is: “I want to serve God on my
own terms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We either fail to realize or remember
that we are not our own; we do not run or own our lives. I love how Paul
phrases <b><span style="color: red;">Romans
6:17-18</span></b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And
having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That is strong language and not at all
the kind of language modern Christianity is comfortable with. After all, we see
slavery as wrong, awful, terrible, and something to be shunned. In the flesh,
yes, slavery is wrong. In the spiritual realm though, we are slaves. Paul tells
us one verse earlier that we will either be slaves to good or to evil; to sin
or to righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of
obedience leading to righteousness?</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Romans 6:16</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Whether you like it or not, you have
no choice in the matter of being a slave. We are all born into slavery and we
will spend the rest of our lives as slaves. Our choice though, is in whether we
are slaves to Satan or slaves to God. Again, Paul tells us that we are slaves
to sin or to righteousness; slaves to whichever side we obey (God’s or Satan’s).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">See, this is where we prove ourselves
to be liars. When we claim to serve the Lord and then serve ourselves in our
actions, we prove that the words we have spoken have had no bearing on our lives.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A wise man once said, <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“Christians
need to make a choice. We need to either start living the life for God we claim
to live, or keep living for the devil and claim it boldly.”</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am not for a moment saying that
Christians will be perfect and that we will never fail. I am not saying that we
will not make the wrong choice and live for ourselves at times. What I AM
saying is that we must realize and remember whose slaves we are. If we claim to
be the servants of God, then we must live as His servants. Don’t say that you’re
serving God but then refuse to do what He says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve heard Christians claim that they
are serving God but when you mention witnessing or actually working for the
Lord, they shy away. Why? Because it’s “too hard” or “people will think I’m
crazy” or “what if they don’t listen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m going to reveal to you all a great
mystery here. I will say something that will absolutely astound you. God doesn’t
care about your excuses. He doesn’t care if something seems too hard for you or
if people think you’re crazy. What He cares about is whether or not you will
obey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In <b><span style="color: red;">1 Samuel 15</span></b>, Samuel confronts King
Saul with the king’s sin and boldly claims:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the
sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you
have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You see, the Lord wants you to obey
regardless of what you feel, how hard it is, or anything else. We can also see
that Saul was rejected as King of Israel because he rebelled against what God
had said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is of vital importance that we
decide once and for all who it is that we serve. Do we serve God and determine
to be slaves of righteousness? If so, then obey Him as your Lord and Master! If
you serve Satan, then stop claiming to serve God! We must stop trying to sit on
the fence, straddle the line, have a foot in the world and one in the church;
we need to make a choice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On a related note, people often wonder
how we can be slaves to God if He is a God of love and if we are His children.
We need to understand that our Lord is a good Master; the best Master at that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans 6:22-23</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">goes on to
tell us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves
of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He is the Master whose <b><span style="color: red;">“yoke is easy and
burden is light,”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Matthew 11:30</span></b>).
He is the Master that has <b><span style="color: red;">“loved us with an everlasting love,”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 31:3</span></b>). He is our Good Shepherd (<b><span style="color: red;">John 10:11</span></b>),
our Heavenly Father (<b><span style="color: red;">Matthew 5:48</span></b>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is time that we realize who our God
really is. Yes, He is a God of Love who cares about us and adopts us but He is
also our Lord and Master and He expects obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is time we realize who we really
are and that we were, we are, and we always will be spiritual slaves. It is
time we choose who we will serve and follow through with it. Live what you
claim and claim what you live. Be a slave to sin or to righteousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for
yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers
served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”</span> </span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Joshua 24:15</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God bless, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Benjamin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-17000607980270205202014-02-07T00:57:00.000-04:002015-12-29T05:29:02.376-04:00Angels Aren't Cute!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This particular blog post is in line
with why I created my blog; to have a place to house my random thoughts. I’m
certain that the title caught your attention. That’s exactly what I intended!
The truth of the matter is that angels are not cute, cuddly beings like we see
so often portrayed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh, we’ve all seen the adorable babies
“dressed like angels,” used sayings like, “what a little angel,” and some
people even go so far as to claim when someone has died, “Heaven gained another
angel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, I want to put those false,
incorrect beliefs to rest for those who read my blog. Angels are not cute, and
people do not become angels! Additionally, not all angels are good, kind, or
there to protect you! So, without further ado, let us begin by looking at how
the Bible describes angels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><span style="color: red;">Ezekiel 1:5-14</span></b> describes the angels
that Ezekiel saw:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">5
Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was
their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6 <b><u>Each one had four faces</u>, and <u>each one had four wings</u>. </b>7
<b><u>Their legs were straight, and the
soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet</u>. </b>They sparkled
like the color of burnished bronze. 8 <b><u>The
hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four
had faces and wings</u>. </b>9<b> <u>Their
wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each
one went straight forward</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 As for the likeness of
their faces,<b> <u>each had the face of a
man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the
four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face
of an eagle</u></b>. 11 Thus were their faces. <b><u>Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one
another, and two covered their bodies</u>. </b>12 And each one went straight
forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when
they went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">13 As for the likeness of
the living creatures,<b> <u>their
appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches</u> </b>going
back and forth among the living creatures.<b>
<u>The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning</u>. </b>14 And the
living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.<b>”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Emphasis added for descriptors)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Does that sound, at all, like the
chubby baby angels we see so often portrayed? I won’t summarize what you’ve
just read since I’ll assume you actually read it, but that is not a cute,
cuddly look!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Revelation 4:6-8</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">also records
angels with a different look than what we are used to seeing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And
in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures
full of eyes in front and in back. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living
creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the
fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures,
each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not
rest day or night, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Another passage of Scripture that
describes angels is <b><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 6:2-3</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>which
says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he
covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one
cried to another and said:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of
His glory!’”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is true that angels can also take
human form as seen in <b><span style="color: red;">Genesis 18</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>when
Isaac was promised to Abraham, and in <b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 13:2</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have
unwittingly entertained angels.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With that said though, angels were
created by God and they do not need to be visible (since they are spirit and
not flesh).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are
on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Colossians 1:16</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Another example of angels not needing
to be visible at all times can be seen in <b><span style="color: red;">2 Kings 6:15-17</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>where
we see:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out,
there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his
servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">16 So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more
than those who are with them.’ 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray,
open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man,
and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire
all around Elisha.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, all of this should go to prove
that angels are not the sweet, chubby, cuddly little children we’re so used to
seeing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In fact, the image of the chubby baby
with wings comes from various mythological sources and from renaissance art. Charles
Dempsey writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“This iconography was known to Renaissance artists via the
survival of classical statuary, and adapted into Christian art. Its popularity
at this time is largely due to the influence of Donatello, although there are
many examples prior to him.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><i><span style="color: #00b050;">Inventing the Renaissance Putto</span></i><span style="color: #00b050;">, UNC Press 2001</span></b>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Angels are not cute! That still leaves
us with two other things to speak on. Namely, people do not become angels, and
not all angels are good, kind, or there to protect you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ll tackle the fact that people do
not become angels first. The clearest way to say it is simply this: people are
people and angels are angels! But, since that is never enough, let’s turn to
Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hebrews 12:22-24</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">speaks of the
heavenly kingdom and claims that there will be both angels, and redeemed
humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to
God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the
Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better
things than that of Abel.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Speaking of Jesus, <b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 2:16</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>again differentiates between humans and angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to
the seed of Abraham.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Psalm 8:4-5</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">also makes a
direct comparison between angels and humans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that
You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You
have crowned him with glory and honor.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Revelation 19:9-10</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">records an
angel speaking to John, and the angel itself draws a distinction between
himself and those with the “testimony of Jesus”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“9 Then he said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are called to
the marriage supper of the Lamb!”’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true
sayings of God.’ 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See
that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who
have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy.’” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">These are just a handful of verses but
should be enough to show that humans and angels are not the same creatures, and
that in Heaven, there will be both redeemed humanity and angels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Finally, not all angels are good or
are trying to help you. That fact should be illustrated by the fact that
Lucifer/Satan/the Devil was created as an angel! He was once in Heaven until he
rebelled against God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Isaiah 14:12-15</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">is an excerpt
of this declaration: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“12 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How
you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have
said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the
farthest sides of the north; <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the
Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of
the Pit.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Luke 10:18-20</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">again
references Lucifer’s fall from Heaven when Jesus speaks to the Disciples about
casting out evil spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“18 And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from
heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means
hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject
to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.’”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is evident that at least one angel,
Lucifer, has been cast out of Heaven and is at war with God and humanity.
Speaking to the serpent who was a liar and deceiver (Satan/Lucifer!), God
proclaimed in <b><span style="color: red;">Genesis
3:15</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“And I will put enmity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Between you and the woman,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And between your seed and her Seed;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He shall bruise your head,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And you shall bruise His heel.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And when you consider the fact that
Satan/Lucifer took a third of Heaven’s angels with him when he rebelled
(references momentarily), you see that there are all kinds of angels (we call
them demons) that are NOT trying to help you and are actively at war with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the book of Revelation,
Satan/Lucifer is called the “Dragon”. This is seen by the actions of the Dragon
and other references. Remember how Lucifer was cast out of Heaven like
lightning? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given
the key to the bottomless pit.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Revelation 9:1b</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then in the first part of <b><span style="color: red;">Revelation 12:4</span></b>,
we see that the Dragon (Lucifer) took others with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the
earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Before you say, “hold on a minute, Benjamin,
how do you know the stars are angels,” let me continue. As <b><span style="color: red;">Revelation 12</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>unfolds (<b><span style="color: red;">verses 7-9</span></b>), we see:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with
the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor
was a place found for them in heaven any longer. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and
his angels were cast out with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Not only does that reaffirm that
Satan/Lucifer is the Dragon, but also that his angels were cast out with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now we see that Lucifer/Satan/the
Devil is aided by fallen angels (demons) and that they number a complete third
of Heaven’s forces!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">All this should go to show that not
all angels are good or want to help you. Why am I telling you this? I tell you
this simply because this post has become more of something to combat the false
beliefs that have sprung up surrounding angels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Whenever someone thinks of angels, the
majority of people think of cuddly, chubby babies with diapers and wings, who
are coming to help humanity. That, or they believe that angels are their dead
loved ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While it is true that angels that are
loyal to God outnumber those loyal to Satan/Lucifer, not all angels want to
help you! Some are actively at war with you and with their Creator (God).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While angels CAN take human form,
whenever we see angels in a heavenly setting, they are <i>usually</i> creatures unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And while we are eternal beings who will
spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell, we do not become angels. Angels are a
separate, created race. Humans are separate, and also created. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you’ve made it through this lengthy
read, I commend and thank you. This is by no means an exhaustive study into
angels (though it may have been exhausting). Hopefully though, it will help you
gain a more accurate view of angels as the Bible presents them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As always, thanks for reading, and God
bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Benjamin <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-6499733026165759162014-02-02T04:13:00.003-04:002015-12-29T05:25:31.721-04:00All Scripture is God Breathed<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Before I begin this post, please
permit me first to say that I have been blessed to not only have been the son
of a pastor, but to know that my parents are good, God fearing people who
raised me to trust in God's Word. I grew up in the church knowing quite plainly
that it is God that matters above all else. I was raised to know that God's
Word is true and that it is ALL useful to us. Also, I will endeavour to keep this brief since it is late and I am writing solely because I cannot sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now that I've said that, let me begin
by saying that I have noticed something disturbing in my time on this earth.
Technically, I've noticed plenty of disturbing things during the course of my
life, but I have noticed something which particularly disturbs me. That thing
is a trend within the church world to ignore the Old Testament. It seems as
though much of recent teaching and preaching has been focused solely on the New
Testament, and when you mention something from the Old Testament, people are
taken completely aback. Thankfully, this was not an issue with my father due to
the fact that he teaches from all of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My point though, is that much of the
Christian world ignores the Old Testament for one reason or another. Most claim
that it is, "too hard" to read the Old Testament and that they do not
understand it. Occasionally though, you'll find those people who will say that
"it's boring" or worse, that they "don't need to read it because
they've got the New Testament."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This saddens and disturbs me because
there is so much truth that people are missing out on because of their refusal
to pay attention to, or read from the entire Word of God. Now, there are likely
some who will read this and think, "What's it to you if people only read
the New Testament?" To you, I say simply this: I'm a pastor in the
Biblical sense of the term. That means it is my responsibility to declare the
entire Word of the Lord without fear or favour, and it also means that before I
can teach proper doctrine, I often have to correct wrong doctrine which comes
about by an incomplete understanding of Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In what has become a familiar portion
of Scripture to many of us, Paul wrote to Timothy in <b><span style="color: red;">2 Timothy 3:14-17</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and
been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Did you catch that? ALL of the Holy
Scriptures are <b><span style="color: red;">“able
to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” </span></b>and
are <b><span style="color: red;">“given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul doesn’t write that some of
Scripture is good and the rest isn’t. He doesn’t claim that only the New
Testament is profitable. He most certainly doesn’t claim, “New is better.” No,
Paul, speaking to his son in the faith, said that ALL Scripture is God breathed
(or Divinely Inspired). That Scripture which Timothy had been raised on (the
Old Testament) is able to make him, <b><span style="color: red;">“wise unto salvation.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Something else I want to point out is
that </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">the purpose of Scripture is to point
the way to God and to give us hope. <b><span style="color: red;">Romans 15:4</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>says, <b><span style="color: red;">“For whatever
things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the
patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Again, notice what is said! Thus far,
I have been using New Testament examples and references for a reason; namely
that the New Testament points backward to the Old Testament, claiming that it
is profitable and written that we may learn and have hope!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For those who believe that there is no
need for the Old Testament because of the New Testament and the revelation of
Christ, let me note Jesus’ words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I
did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till
heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from
the law till all is fulfilled.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(<b><span style="color: red;">Matthew 5:17-18</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">According to John Parsons, <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“The word
translated ‘jot’ (<i>iota</i> in the Greek
New Testament) refers to the smallest Hebrew letter (‘<i>Yod</i>’), and the word translated ‘tittle’ (<i>keraia</i> in Greek) refers to the ‘horn,’ or smallest stroke of a
Hebrew letter…”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">According to Jesus, then, not even the
smallest part of the Word will pass away! God’s Word is eternal and is not open
for us to pick and choose what we believe. As Christians, we are to believe the
Word of God in its entirety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After all, God is unchanging and His
words are eternal. <b><span style="color: red;">Numbers 23:19</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>records
what Balaam claimed under direction of God:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He
should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He
not make it good?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The entirety of Scripture is useful
for us, reveals the Lord to us, teaches us His ways, and can give us hope. Now,
undoubtedly some will ask about sacrifices in the Old Testament. We know that
Christ was the sacrifice for sins, once for all (<b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 10</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>speaks
of this). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Still, reading of sacrifices in the
Old Testament demonstrates for us the truth that, <b><span style="color: red;">“And according to the law almost all things are
purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(<b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 9:22</span></b>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That verse seems to reference <b><span style="color: red;">Leviticus 17:11</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>which makes the claim, <b><span style="color: red;">“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and
I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it
is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, it teaches us, and it is also
proves the point that Jesus’ sacrifice was needed! We know that we do not still
have to offer sacrifices because of the sacrifice of Jesus (though we are “slaves
to righteousness” and are to be “living sacrifices to God”), so what we do when
considering the authority of the Old Testament for us today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Daniel Block makes an interesting
point: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At the same time we look to the New Testament for guidance on
which Old Testament laws have been rendered obsolete in Christ. Most American
evangelical Christians assume that unless the New Testament expressly affirms
the continued relevance of an Old Testament ordinance we may assume it has been
abrogated in Christ. One should probably rather adopt the opposite stance:
unless the New Testament expressly declares the end of an Old Testament ordinance
(e.g., the sacrifices), we assume its authority for believers today continues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is far too late to even begin
listing the many benefits of the Old Testament or to further discuss the fact that we are not to simply toss the Old Testament on the garbage heap because we have the New. So, let
me just say this: the ENTIRE Bible is good for us to read, to learn, to
understand, and to believe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are “under the law of Grace” as
Christians, but that does not mean that the Old Testament is useless or without
benefit. Do we still sacrifice animals as laid out in the Old Testament? No,
because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we do not need to. Do the teachings of and surrounding
sacrifices still have benefit? Absolutely, they do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Again, <b><span style="color: red;">“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Perhaps this is more of a personal
post or rant, but that is why I began this blog in the first place. My point to
this all is that the Christians who refuses to acknowledge the Old Testament
will only harm their own growth. It is when we consider ALL of Scripture that
we may be “thoroughly equipped.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I encourage you to look to the truth
of the Old Testament. Learn from it; hold it tightly as a precious gem and as
further revelation of our Great God. Please, do not miss out on the wonderful
truths and teachings of the Scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God bless, and thanks for reading,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Benjamin <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-48666642018500654422014-01-23T03:19:00.000-04:002015-12-29T05:22:10.176-04:00But I Thought...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I find it interesting how many people
spout off various Bible verses without ever really knowing what the Bible is
truly speaking of. This shortcoming is by no means isolated to the church or
secular world though! I have found in my life that there are many people who
read what they want to read, and completely ignore the proper context. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For example, believers and unbelievers
alike love to claim, “Jesus said ‘don’t judge,’” but if you look at the larger
context (<b><span style="color: red;">Matthew
5-7</span></b>) you find that this is merely part of a larger teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Looking at <b><span style="color: red;">Matthew 7:1-5</span></b>, you can see plainly
that Jesus speaks of judging with hypocrisy! In context, He’s saying that you
should seek to have your own business taken care of and your life be pleasing
to the Lord before you turn your attention on someone else. Also, He says to
look after the plank/beam/board/log in your own eye before trying to fix the
speck in someone else’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“1 Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you
judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured
back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do
not consider the plank in your own eye? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from
your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the
plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from
your brother’s eye.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Quite simply, Jesus is saying that you
should get right with God before you go looking to correct someone else. He isn’t
saying that there is no judgement or that you cannot claim that something is
wrong. He’s saying not to judge in a hypocritical fashion! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Again, looking at the larger context
of Scripture, we see it taught in <b><span style="color: red;">1 Peter 4 </span></b>that judgement begins in the House of
God. But when we look at the greater context of that portion, we see Peter
remind the church not to be in sin either!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b><span style="color: red;">“14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are
you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as
a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but
let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to
begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end
of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, quite simply, chanting, “Jesus said,
‘don’t judge’” does not tell the whole story and is a bad interpretation of
Scripture. As the church, we have a responsibility to properly interpret
Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we fail to properly interpret
Scripture, we do a grievous disservice to the message of the Word! What we must
realize is that our ideas and interpretations are nowhere near as important as
the TRUE meaning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When interpreting Scripture, we must
ask ourselves, “What did the author intend to say?” Not the popular, “what does
this mean to me?” No! We cannot begin our study of Scripture trying to discover
what it means to us; we must begin with the idea that what God intends to say is the most important consideration!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You may wonder about the title of this
post: “But I Thought…” The title comes from a line in the movie adaptation of <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“Sense and
Sensibility”.</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"> </span>My mother loves
Jane Austen, and while living home, we watched <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“Sense and Sensibility”</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"> </span>and <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“Pride and Prejudice”</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;">
</span>many, many times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the movie adaptation of <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“Sense and
Sensibility” </span></b>though, there is a particular line that is quite
overacted. My bother still makes fun of that line. The line?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“But I thought Mr. Ferrars was hers!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What does this line have to do with
proper interpretation of Scripture? Simply that many people, when presented
with what Scripture actually says, can’t help but say, “But I thought…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For example, it has been “known” for
years that the animals went onto Noah’s Ark two by two. That’s not what the
Bible says though. <b><span style="color: red;">Genesis 7:1-3</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“1 Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your
household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this
generation. 2 You shall take with you <i>seven
each of every clean animal</i>, a male and his female; <i>two each of animals that are unclean</i>, a male and his female; 3 <i>also seven each of birds of the air</i>,
male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth.’”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, you read that right. Some animals
went on by sevens! Maybe you don’t think it’s such a big deal, after all, the
fact that some animals went on by sevens doesn’t impact our understanding of
salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It IS important though! It is of the
utmost importance that we, as the church, properly interpret God’s Word and
represent it properly. Proper interpretation looks for what God was saying; not
what we want the Bible to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul admonishes his son in the faith,
Timothy to, <b><span style="color: red;">“15 Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle
babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:15-16)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I believe Paul’s instruction to
Timothy here is something we should keep in mind as well. We should be <b><span style="color: red;">“rightly dividing
the word of truth.”</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>After all, it is
the truth of God’s Word that matters; not what we want the Bible to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Bible is true, and is able to
teach us, guide us, and provide for us AS IT IS without us having to create
some new, more mystical meaning. <b><span style="color: red;">2 Timothy 3:16-17 </span></b>tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bradley Noel</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">once wrote, <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“The task of
the exegete and theologian is to discover and hear the word in terms of God's
original intent. Only then may we begin to ascertain its meaning for our own
historical setting.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Can you tell by this point that I am
serious about the need to discover the author’s intent? I can honestly tell you
that it doesn’t matter what you want Scripture to say. It doesn’t matter that
you don’t agree with what the Bible says. Christians, stop trying to create
some new meaning behind what God said as if what He had to say wasn’t enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you learn to properly interpret
Scripture (to seek the original intent and to read in context), you will find
that many of your preconceived ideas are challenged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Remember that <b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 13:7-9</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>teaches, <b><span style="color: red;">“7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word
of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it
is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not
profited those who have been occupied with them.”</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because the Lord is the same and is
unchanging, His Word does not have some kind of new revelation, or some new
meaning for each person. Yes, you are special to the Lord, but you are not so
special that you can reinterpret Scripture to suit your own ends!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is very late here, so let me wrap
this up by simply saying that your idea about what Scripture should say
honestly doesn’t matter. What matters is what God says in His Word. What
matters is what the original intention was. Period. End of story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It may not be a popular idea or even a
happy one to read, but what it all boils down to is that we, as the church,
have a tremendous responsibility to properly interpret Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I don’t expect for a minute that the
world should properly interpret Scripture. What I DO expect is that the church
should always seek to represent God’s Word accurately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, it’s easy to lament the fact that
you don’t know what the Bible says or to say that you are a poor reader, but we
can all learn to interpret Scripture in light of Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What I mean by that is looking at the
context (both immediate or close context, and the larger context of the Bible
itself), and reading the entire thought instead of just reading a single verse.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One last thought: I’m sure there will
be those who read this post and wonder why it all really matters. After all, we
can read what we want and get as much out of it, can’t we? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NO!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we refuse to, or simply fail to
seek proper interpretation, when we take Scripture out of context, we begin to
teach ourselves bad doctrine. For example, there are many people who think that
if they have enough faith, they will never get sick and never have any kind of
issue in their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They read verses where Jesus tells a
person, “Your faith has made you well” and assume that if they have enough
faith, nothing will ever go wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The problem is that they misinterpret
Scripture! Looking at the greater context of Scripture, we can see Jesus tell
us plainly that there will be tribulations and trials; there will be hard times
in life! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Also, we can look at Job (a man that
God brags on as being so righteous), and yet he was a man who dealt with more
problems than nearly anyone else to ever live!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We must learn to read God’s
Word and interpret it properly if we truly want to learn and grow. </span>So, if you’ve stuck it through to the
end and are reading this, I implore you, read God’s Word in context, interpret
it properly, and seek what God has to say, not what you want the Bible to say!</div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As always, God bless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-86067850576198801962014-01-03T04:21:00.001-04:002015-12-29T05:17:39.567-04:00Thoughts of Recent Controversy <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In recent months, the controversy
surrounding Christianity has seemed to rage wildly. Sadly, many Christians have
only fueled the fires of indignation and rage the world has within their
hearts. I have read posts and comments from both sides of the issues, and the amount
of venom and vehemence truly saddens me. However, more than just being
saddened, I am downright disturbed by the actions of some who claim to be
Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Who am I speaking of? I am speaking of
those who have taken it upon themselves to wage war with our world and the
people in it. I am neither speaking of, nor thinking of anyone in particular.
Rather, I write only of the kind of Christian who feels the need to strike out
(or strike back) with anger, poisonous speech, and words that Yosemite Sam could
only describe as, “Them’s fightin’ words!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Before I explain why I am saddened and
disturbed by the actions and words of these Christians, let me say plainly that
I have wanted to write this for the past several weeks but have spent that time
in prayer, so that I am not reacting or spewing the same kind of vitriol. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My issue stems from the fact that some
of these Christians have seemed to have lost sight of the fact that they are
speaking to and about actual people. Not nameless, faceless, mindless,
monsters. Let me say it as plainly as I can:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are NOT at war with people of any
race, creed, orientation, colour, or anything else. As Christians, we are NOT
at war with people. Let me remind us all of <b><span style="color: red;">Ephesians 6:12</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Contemporary English Version says
it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces
and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual
world.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That should be pretty plain for us to
understand. We are not in battle with humans, regardless of who they are or
what they believe. We are in a battle with the <b><span style="color: red;">“forces and authorities and rulers of darkness
and powers in the spiritual world.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, I’m certain that there’s someone
out there who’d say, “But sin is part of the <b><span style="color: red;">'darkness of this age.'</span></b>" You’re absolutely right; sin is wrong! Even though
sin is wrong, let me remind us all that the example CHRISTians are to follow is
that of Christ. What did Jesus do? He loved and accepted sinners. He did NOT
accept the sin, but He accepted and loved the people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m reminded of the adulteress in <b><span style="color: red;">John 8</span></b>.
Everyone seems to remember when Jesus speaks to the woman’s accusers. After
all, it’s an impressive, memorable moment and should be remembered! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and
said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her
first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who
heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning
with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman
standing in the midst.” (John 8:7-9)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Impressive right? But that is not where
the account ends, though it seems as though everyone remembers only those
words. No, the account continues in verses <b><span style="color: red;">10-12:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He
said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned
you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn
you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the
light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the
light of life.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jesus did not condemn her, but He DID
instruct her to go and cease her sinful ways. Then, speaking to His Disciples,
He explains that those who follow Him will walk in light, not darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We see Jesus loving and accepting a
woman who was a sinner, but not accepting the sin. He tells her to leave the
sin behind, and then teaches that His followers are to walk in the light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Okay, maybe that was a little bit of a
rabbit trail, but it’s vital to my point. When we Christians lose sight of the
fact that we are to LOVE sinners and hate the SIN, when we blur the lines and
see sinners as the sin they commit, we walk away from the example Jesus set. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How many of you as Christians would
like to be labeled with the sin that you commit? How many of you would like the
world to see you only as your sin and not as a person? And lest anyone get
self-righteous and prepare to claim that they don’t sin, let me remind you of <b><span style="color: red;">1 John 1:8</span></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Would those who deal with lust like
everyone around them to see them only as lecherous, lusting people? Would those
who deal with lying like to have the world see them solely as liars? Would
those who deal with anger enjoy everyone seeing them as mindless rage machines?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If we cease to see people as people,
and see them only as the sin in their lives, we are NOT following the example
of Jesus, and we are being poor stewards of the love and forgiveness that the
Lord has shown us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Please understand me when I say that,
I am not excusing sin. Sin is wrong in God’s sight. That said, God’s Word
teaches that sin is sin. There are no degrees of sin, and someone else’s sin
isn’t worse than your sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">James 2:10</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">says, <b><span style="color: red;">“For whoever shall
keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sin is sin is sin is sin is sin is sin
is sin. Someone else is NOT worse than you. The sinner is NOT their sin. Again,
look at how Jesus speaks of those in sin. He speaks repeatedly of them being in
spiritual darkness, and being “blind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Matthew 15</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">contains one
such example. The Disciples come to Jesus saying that the Pharisees were
offended by His teachings. He replies in verse <b><span style="color: red;">14</span></b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the
blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So tell me, oh Christians of the
internet, what do we do with the blind? Do we attack and rage against them for
being blind, or do we reach out to them in the love of Christ? Do we get upset
and offended at them, or do we “turn the other cheek,” and continue to try to
share the love of Jesus with them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Admittedly, a large part of the recent
controversy and my reason for writing this comes from the issues with Phil
Robertson. Let me explain that I have not ever watched his show, and from what
I understand, he has since been reinstated. Still, it was in discussions of
Duck Dynasty and A&E that so much vitriolic speech was found. Putting aside
whether or not the entire fiasco was justified, let me ask my fellow Christians
a simple question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Is a reality show worth having
alienated people who need the love of Jesus? Is it? I’m not speaking of Phil
Robertson’s comments, but those of Christians who tried to defend him with hate
that cuts just as deeply as knives. Were the arguments and angry words worth
making sure that people will never listen to what you have to say? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh, I am certain that many thought
they were justified in their comments and in defending God and Phil Robertson,
and I’m sure that some thought they were “fighting back against injustice.” Still, vengeance does NOT belong to the Child of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Referring to <b><span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy 32</span></b>, Paul wrote in <b><span style="color: red;">Romans 12:19</span></b>,
<b><span style="color: red;">“Beloved, do not
avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance
is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As a side note, let me draw your
attention to verses <b><span style="color: red;">20</span></b> and <b><span style="color: red;">21</span></b> as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty,
give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you truly want to fight the “good
fight”, then fight against darkness by shining the light of God; not by
attacking those who are in the darkness. If you want to <b><span style="color: red;">“overcome evil,” </span></b>you do it with good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The next time you are tempted to turn
both barrels on someone for disagreeing with you, remember the words of Paul in
<b><span style="color: red;">Colossians 4:6</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>- <b><span style="color: red;">“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I’ve said before, that’s SEASONED
with salt, not an overloading avalanche of salt that will ensure that nothing
ever grows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">May I remind us all again that we are
ambassadors of Christ? As His ambassadors, we are accountable to Him for how we
represent Him. Have you properly represented our Lord? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now that I have touched on
(hopefully) every base and issue that might rise in your minds, let me speak to
the fact that God is a Righteous God as well as a God of Love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, God is a God of Love and we are
called upon to show His love to all people. Yes, God will one day stand in
judgement of the entire world because Holy God cannot abide to have sin in His
presence. We see that fact throughout Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Still, it is GOD that stands in judgement,
not us. If you ask me that’s a wonderful thing. I don’t want to be responsible
for judging the earth any more than I want the earth judging me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Permit me to summarize briefly as this
has already become much longer than I had intended it to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As Christians, we are called upon to
show the love of God, and to declare His Word. We are to “preach the Gospel”
(Good News). We are to fight against the spiritual darkness of this age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are NOT called upon to wage any
kind of personal war. We are NOT intended to dole out God’s righteous
judgement; that right is His alone. We are NOT some Holy Avenger; vengeance
belongs to God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We ARE called on to love sinners,
though we hate the sin. Sin is equal in God’s sight. That means that the
gossipy grandmother is sinning just as much as anyone else. No one’s sin is
better or worse than yours; it is sin and sin is sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Please allow me to end this with a personal
note. This blog post is not intended to attack anyone, or any group. This is
merely a reminder to fellow Christians around the internet that we are
representatives of our Great God, and we need to represent Him properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a call to return to a war
against spiritual wickedness rather than against people. This is a reminder to
stop doing the Devil’s work, and to do the Lord’s work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And finally, I leave you with the
words of Petra, a group I still listen to at times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Do you remember what He's called you out of?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you remember where you were?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Let us not take advantage of His love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That we forget that we have been forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Without Him we can do nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Remember, we are only able to claim
kinship with Jesus because of what HE has done. Without Him, we are just as
lost and stumbling in the darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Walk in the light as He is in the
light!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God bless,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Benjamin</span>Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-56202239139709897402013-12-19T12:57:00.000-04:002013-12-19T12:57:06.586-04:00Bragging<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As we draw nearer to Christmas, houses
are decorated, refrigerators and cookie jars are filled with baking, and
families are gathering together to celebrate this wonderful time of year.
Hopefully, as we gather, we remember WHY we celebrate this time of year. Though
it is not the time of year Jesus was born, it is when we celebrate this blessed
event. After all, what better gift could we receive this time of year besides
eternal salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This time of year is a time of family,
presents, and love. For me though, there is something else to be excited about.
A mere three days after Christmas is the 28<sup>th</sup> of December; an unimportant
date for many people. To me though, December 28<sup>th</sup> is very important.
It marks the anniversary of the day that I married my sweetheart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, last December 28<sup>th</sup>, I
married my wonderful, loving wife. Laverne (my Verny), has been a wonderful
blessing in my life and I can easily say that I love her more today than ever.
Did I love her the day I married her? Of course! Still, my love for her has
grown over this past year. Though I cannot imagine how it is possible, I know
that I will love her even more tomorrow. See, love continues to grow every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I have been very blessed to have
married a wonderful woman of God. Additionally, she is someone who seeks to
fill the example of the ideal woman as described in <b><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 31:10-31.</span></b><span style="color: red;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and
flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And
provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She
considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She
girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not
go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand
holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out
her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all
her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her
clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When
he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells
them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to
come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of
kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the
bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband
also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them
all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the
Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her
own works praise her in the gates.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Verny is a Godly, virtuous, loving
wife and she tries to be better each and every day. I want to brag on her! She
is so good to me and is a “help meet” as it says in <b><span style="color: red;">Genesis 2</span></b>. She helps in the church
and leads Sunday School when we have children attend. She decorates both church
and home. She cooks, cleans, and keeps a tidy house. More importantly, she
supports me, encourages me, and lifts me up in prayer. She is creative and
kind. My Verny is a hard worker and is dedicated. She is a beautiful woman, but
WHO she is makes her even more beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I love my wife, and can only hope to
be a good husband to her. Through this year, we have had ups and downs (as any
couple will). We have had good times and bad times as well. She has put up with
me when I’ve not been the best I could be, and has stayed by my side when she
could have abandoned me. My Verny has taken care of me while I’ve been
recovering from surgery, and has done so without complaining. I know I can
trust her when she says that she doesn’t mind helping me. That’s another
wonderful thing about Verny: I can trust her!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I could continue writing to brag on my
wonderful wife, but the point of this post is simply to let the world know how
blessed I am to be married to such a kind and loving woman. As our first
anniversary approaches, I know that I am excited to be able to say that I have
been married to Verny for a year, and to be able to continue our journey
together. I know without a doubt that we will spend the rest of our lives
together, and that idea absolutely thrills me. Whether we end our lives by way
of death, or rapture, I know that we will remain together, loving each other
more every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We have made the choice to love and to
remain faithful. We have pledged to love, honour, and cherish each other. What
a joy it is to fulfill these vows we made (nearly) a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I love you Verny!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-41004353004284962282013-07-24T10:37:00.000-03:002015-12-29T05:10:21.934-04:00Grampy's ApprovalMy grandfather is a great man. I tell you, the closest thing I've ever had to an idol is my Grampy. It has always seemed to me that he could do anything. He could find his way through the densest forest without using his compass, could lift his boat on and off of the truck, could find where the mackerel were running, and he knew everyone. My Grampy could never get hurt. Instead, he'd always say, "It's only pain".<br />
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Grampy could split the biggest piece of wood with only one swing of his axe, could shoot a deer in the perfect spot to kill it instantly every time, and could take fish off of the hooks faster than my eyes could follow.<br />
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I've looked up to my grandfather for as long as I can remember, and I have no doubt that it is due, in part, to the "brainwashing" he put each of us kids through. See, when I was born, Grampy would come to the hospital on his lunch-break, hold me and chant, "Grampy's boy, Grampy's boy" over and over again. <br />
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Grampy has always been there for me, always been encouraging, has always been the strong "man's man." Additionally, Grampy has been strong in the faith, and has been an example of always trusting in the Lord.<br />
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Because of the great and mighty man that Grampy has always been, I've continued to look up to him through my whole life. Along with my father, he has shown me what a real man is, and that you can trust God even through the hardest times of life.<br />
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My Grampy was, and is, a great story-teller. I can't even begin to tell you the stories he's told me; stories of Coony's Ridges, the Scraggly Pine, Kipling's stories about Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the time when Uncle Russ lost his finger, how when he and Nana were first married they looked through the glass window in the oven to watch cakes rise.<br />
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I have spent my life trying to live up to the shadow, to the example that Grampy has made every day of his life. I have tried, and failed at times, to be like Grampy. In him, I've seen a tremendous example of who I should be in Christ. My father claims the same thing; that Grampy taught him how to be a good, Christian man.<br />
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I appreciate my father too, and as I said earlier, he also has shown me what a real man is, and that you can trust God even through the hardest times of life. I love my father, but this post is about Grampy.<br />
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As the title of this post indicates, what I've searched for in life is Grampy's approval. For anyone who doesn't know my grandfather, that may make it sound as though he's some awful person who can't be pleased. That is not the case at all! Rather, he is such a great man, that all I've wanted is to have him be proud of me. If Grampy is proud of me, then I know I've done well.<br />
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I know my grandfather to be a man who seeks to please God, and who strives to be a good Christian. Because of that, I know that following his example will keep me in good stead.<br />
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It is wonderful that Grampy has always shown himself to be that Real Man throughout life, but I want to tell you that even when things have been bleak, hard, and downright awful, he has still been that strong man that I've watched growing up.<br />
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His authenticity of faith, his honour, his integrity, all these things encourage me, and make me want to be more and more like him. I want to be a man like my grandfather is. When I was a child, that translated into dressing like he did, talking like he did, and even trying to sneeze like he did. Now that I am a man, I realize that the outward trappings are not what makes up my grandfather. No, it is his faith, love, strength, and courage that makes him my Grampy.<br />
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What I want is to have my Grampy and my God proud of me. Again, I want others to be proud too (namely my wife, parents, and siblings), but this is about Grampy.<br />
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Let me close by saying that my Grampy has done nothing but good to me, and I love him with all of my heart. I only hope that, should the Lord tarry until I have grandchildren, I will know that I've been the same kind of man as my Grampy has been.<br />
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I love you Grampy, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you.<br />
<br />
Benjamin<br />
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P.S. The worst thing that Grampy has ever done to me is made me read Kipling's <b><span style="color: #38761d;">"The Power of the Dog"</span>.</b> So, in honour of my Grampy, here it is copied for all of you to sob your eyes out at.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">There is sorrow enough in the natural way <br />From men and women to fill our day;<br />And when we are certain of sorrow in store, <br />Why do we always arrange for more? <br />Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware <br />Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Buy a pup and your money will buy <br />Love unflinching that cannot lie-- <br />Perfect passion and worship fed <br />By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. <br />Nevertheless it is hardly fair <br />To risk your heart to a dog to tear.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">When the fourteen years which Nature permits <br />Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, <br />And the vet's unspoken prescription runs <br />To lethal chambers or loaded guns, <br />Then you will find--it's your own affair-- <br />But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">When the body that lived at your single will, <br />With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!) <br />When the spirit that answered your every mood <br />Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, <br />You will discover how much you care, <br />And will give your heart to a dog to tear. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">We've sorrow enough in the natural way, <br />When it comes to burying Christian clay. <br />Our loves are not given, but only lent, <br />At compound interest of cent per cent. <br />Though it is not always the case, I believe, <br />That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, <br />A short-term loan is as bad as a long-- <br />So why in--Heaven (before we are there) <br />Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear? </b></span></div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-58832305273243183202013-07-05T20:19:00.000-03:002015-12-29T05:08:29.902-04:00Preachers of TruthMaybe this post will come off more as my insane ramblings than anything else, but I feel that it needs to be said.<br />
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It seems to me that everywhere I've looked today, I've seen people, groups, websites, and media mocking our Christian beliefs, and misinterpreting the truth that I hold so dear. The thing is, our world has reached the point where it is okay to mock Christians and our faith. At the very least, it's okay to laugh our beliefs off as "old fashioned," "outdated," and "irrelevant."<br />
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It truly saddens me to see and hear such things. It bothers and saddens me when I see the truth dragged through the mud, and completely misrepresented. It bothers me, as it should; in fact, it should bother all Bible believing Christians. I wonder though, how much does it bother us? Does it simply miff or perturb us, or does it truly bother us enough to do something about it?<br />
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While we need to stand up for what's right, write letters, call those with influence, and simply make sure that we don't sit idly by; I believe that there is something further that we need to do. I believe that each and every one of us need to determine to be Preachers of Truth.<br />
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What does it mean to be a Preacher of Truth? Well, a preacher, by definition, is someone who proclaims a message publicly. Note that "preacher" does not mean "pastor." All pastors are preachers, but not all preachers are pastors. You see, every single Christian has been called to be a preacher; to proclaim God's message publicly.<br />
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In fact, we are told in <b><span style="color: red;">Mark 16:15 - And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."</span></b><br />
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So, as Preachers of Truth, we must publicly proclaim God's Message in Truth, and not allow falsehood to reign. Now, I don't know how many who will read this will get a strong desire to go out into town and start preaching, but consider again that preaching is proclaiming the message. You can proclaim the message of God's Truth in how you live your life, in the things that you allow in your life, the way you speak, and the way you act.<br />
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Whatever it is that is keeping you from being a Preacher of Truth in every aspect of life needs to be addressed. I know that I have been guilty of not doing everything I could do to spread the Word. For example, I used to record my sermons and upload them to YouTube. Recently though, I've grown lazy in doing so. No, it isn't a lot of work, and I could easily do it, but I had stopped over time.<br />
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That is something I plan to change. I want to be a Preacher of Truth on more than just Church days. I want to be sure that each and every day, whether I meet with people or not, there is the opportunity for people to hear the message of God's Truth. I plan to begin loading my sermons onto the Internet again so that people have a greater chance to come across those sermons, and hear the Word of God.<br />
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I want to be sure that every time that someone crosses paths with me in the real world, they leave knowing that they've met with a Christian. Now, it's not that I've been a rude, obnoxious person, but I want to be doubly sure to put forward that extra effort to be a Preacher of Truth, and an Ambassador for my King.<br />
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That's me though. What about you, dear reader? What will you do to ensure that you fulfill that great call that God has placed on your life? Will you do more than simply copying and pasting someone else's thought or picture? Will you actually be someone who proclaims the Truth of God's Word in your life, for all to see and hear?<br />
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Will you determine to become a Preacher of Truth in every part of everyday?Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-6725859172106748232013-06-04T22:10:00.001-03:002015-12-29T05:06:43.149-04:00What Am I Offering?There is a beautiful song by Third Day that has been close to my heart ever since the first time that I heard it. It's called, <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>"Offering,"</b></span> and these are the lyrics:<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Verse 1:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Magnificent, Holy Father</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I stand in awe of all I see.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Of all the things You have created, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Still You choose to think of me.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>And who am I, that You should suffer;</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Your very life to set me free?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>The only thing that I can give You</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Is the life You gave to me.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Chorus:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>This is my offering, dear Lord.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>This is my offering, to You, God.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>And I will give You my life</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>For it's all I have to give, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Because You gave Your life for me.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Verse 2:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I stand before You at this altar,</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>So many have given You more.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I may not have much I can offer,</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Yet what I have is truly Yours. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Chorus:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span>
I'm sure you can see why this song is so dear to me. It speaks quite plainly about what it is that we have to offer our Lord and Saviour. Regardless of how great we may think we are, regardless of how much we can possibly grow or how rich we may become, there is nothing that we have to offer God other than our lives.<br />
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We can worship Him, but our worship belongs to Him already because He is King of kings and Lord of lords according to <b><span style="color: red;">Revelation 19:16</span></b> - <span style="color: red;"><b>"And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."</b></span><br />
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We can give our lives to Him, but He has already purchased them on Calvary, so even that is only what Paul calls "our reasonable service" in <b><span style="color: red;">Romans 12:1</span></b> - <span style="color: red;"><b>I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."</b></span><br />
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Some people seem to believe that what they give in the offering plate is all that they need to offer to God, but even THOSE offerings belong to God. <b><span style="color: red;">Malachi 3:8</span></b> says, <span style="color: red;"><b>"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." </b></span><br />
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There is absolutely nothing that we have that we could offer God. He owns it all! He deserves it all! So, we come around to the question in the title of this post: What Am I Offering?<br />
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What ARE you offering God? The song claims that what we have is truly His. Seeing as it all belongs to Him anyway, shouldn't we ensure that we aren't robbing the Lord by holding any part of our lives back? Shouldn't we make sure that we give Him absolutely everything?<br />
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I think that is one of the things that boggles my mind. People claim that they don't want to serve the Lord in such-and-such a ministry, yet their service belongs to the Lord! People decide to stay home from church because it's "their day to relax," yet the day itself belongs to God, and their service belongs to Him as well! People refuse to get "uncomfortable" for God, even though He bled and died for us!<br />
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People choose not to serve God, and instead choose to be pew warmers, but we are slaves of God. <b><span style="color: red;">Romans 6:18</span></b> and <span style="color: red;"><b>22</b></span> tells us, <b><span style="color: red;">"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.... But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." </span></b><br />
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So the question remains: What Am I Offering? Am I at least offering what is my "reasonable service?" Am I offering at the very least, what belongs to God? Am I at least giving Him every aspect of my life, since He purchased it on the cross?<br />
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How about you?Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-39857879030634476432013-04-23T14:09:00.000-03:002015-12-29T05:05:05.488-04:00Would We Recognise Him?<div>
Wow! It has been nearly a full year since I last posted here. It has been a busy year, but a good one nonetheless. I really need to post here more often.</div>
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Anyway, I had a thought last night that I'd like to share here, so I'm going to. Perhaps it is more of a question than anything else. Would we recognise Jesus if we saw Him? Would we have any idea who He really was, or would we just think that He was a part of the crowd?</div>
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When we read about Jesus in Scripture, we see that Jesus was one of the people; He was a common man with a common background. He was raised as a carpenter. He travelled on foot, and did not have a steady home.</div>
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And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Luke 9:58)</div>
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Because He travelled on foot through a dusty climate, He likely wouldn't have been the cleanest of all people. Add that to the fact that He hung out with the scum and villainy of society, and we have someone that most of the "respectable" folks would avoid like the plague. </div>
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Imagine that you were approached by someone who was obviously homeless, likely dirty, someone who spent his time speaking to thieves, the diseased, and prostitutes. How would you feel? Nervous? Uncomfortable? </div>
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That's the thing about when Jesus was walking this earth; He went to the lost so that they could be found. He went to the unbelievers so that they might believe. He went to the sick so that they could be made well. He went to those who had nothing, those who were no one, those who were outcasts so that He could show them love, understanding, and offer them a home. He went to the spiritually dead so that they could be given eternal life. </div>
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With that in mind, we know that Jesus went to those places and spoke to those people that were the dredges of humanity. Chances are, if we were to see Jesus today, He would be in a crowd of everyday, ordinary, lost people. Jesus would be outside the mall, at the arena, on the side of the road, at Tim's. </div>
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Now, I would hope that we would recognise Him for who He is. I would hope that we would see the difference in how He behaved and how He spoke. I would hope that we would be spiritually awake enough to recognise our Saviour when we saw Him. I wonder if we would though.</div>
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When we look at the Disciples, some of them recognised Jesus as Messiah. Others had to be told, "Come follow Me." Still others in the New Testament times refused to accept Jesus as Messiah because He didn't fit in with their preconceived notions of who Messiah would be. </div>
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Which group would we fall under? Would we recognise Jesus instantly? Would He have to tell us, or prove Himself to us with signs and wonders? Would we just scoff and refuse to believe because He didn't set up His kingdom on earth? Would we be familiar enough with Jesus through His Word that we would know instinctively who He was? </div>
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Like I asked in the beginning, would we recognise Jesus if we saw Him? Even more sobering of a thought, but if we didn't notice Jesus and He was in the crowd, would He be pleased with us? Would He be pleased with the way we treat others? Would He be pleased with the way that we spoke, the way that we acted, the places that we went? If Jesus was in the crowd around us, what would He think of us?</div>
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Yet, keep in mind that He does see us wherever we are. The Lord knows who we really are, and what we do. Realise for even a day that the Lord sees you. Spend a day acting as though Jesus is in the crowd with you. I believe it will change your outlook. </div>
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Maybe this has been a bit of a ramble, but the question needs to be asked. Would we recognise Jesus, and whether we did or not, would He be pleased with us? Something to think about.</div>
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God bless!</div>
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Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-47618122213249079192012-04-28T13:21:00.000-03:002015-12-29T05:03:26.781-04:00Master? Master? Are You There?You know, I've been wondering what in the world to write for a blog post for a long time. You see, when I write here it is more for enjoyment than anything else. Sure I like it when someone reads a post and enjoys it, but my main focus is to write and enjoy myself in the process. Maybe this is more like a journal in that sense than a blog, but regardless, it is time for a new post.<br />
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I was looking over my previous blog posts not that long ago, and I realized that of the few posts that I have, two are either directly about, or inspired by my beagle, Daisy. Now, some people may read this blog and think "that guy is nuts!"<br />
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After all, I love knights in shining armour rescuing damsels in distress, comic books, Star Wars and some other Sci-Fi as well, beagles, and God! Quite a difference between each right? Yet I still try to turn things around to have a spiritual application, and something for my readers (whoever you may be) to see God's hand at work.<br />
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Where am I going with this? Back to Daisy. Today she is being good. Now I know Mama would say that she's always good; it's a grandmother's job to lie for her grand-dog-ter right? But today I have been working on my computer, and Daisy has simply curled up on the bed in a position to, every now and then, look and see what I'm doing.<br />
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When I first came upstairs to work, she hopped up in my chair and wagged her tail as if to ask, "Do you really need to work?" As I'm sure you can tell by the fact that I am writing a blog post, I have completed the work I had set out to do. I looked over at Daisy sleeping and I couldn't help but remember what happens if I leave the room at night and she wakes up.<br />
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If I have to get up through the night and Daisy wakes up, I will inevitably hear her clomping down the steps and crying. She'll whine and cry and go around the house trying to find me, and once she DOES find me, she'll cry some more. It is almost as if she cries, "where are you, where are you?" I know that many people have asked, "if dogs could talk, what would they say?"<br />
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I think that those times that dogs are left alone (whether it is for a moment to get up through the night, or when you go to work and leave your friend at home), the question that each dog would ask is this: Master? Master? Are you there?<br />
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I think that one of the reasons that we love dogs so much is because of how much they are like us. How many times have storms arisen in your life that you've asked, "God? God? Are you there?" How many times do we find ourselves like the Disciples in the storm, and we panic? God? God? Are you there?<br />
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How many times have you found yourself in need and wondered where your Master was? Let me tell you something dear reader; God has never left you. God is always there for His child. Though we may have felt like God was so far away, He was right there to help us.<br />
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"It was then that I carried you"<br />
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The next time that you are in the storms of life and wondering where God is, remember that He is there. He hasn't left you alone and gone off to work. He hasn't gone into a store and left you in the car. He hasn't even gone away to pee; HE IS THERE!<br />
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Another reason why I think we love dogs so much is because of the God-like qualities that they have such as their unconditional love. The fact that you may have been gone all day, but they are there at the door waiting to greet you. You may have gone off on your own path, but God still waits to greet you with open arms when you finally return home.<br />
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Take a moment and learn some lessons from your dog today, and thank God for him or her. As for me, I need to see to my Daisy who has just woken up.<br />
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God bless you all!<br />
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Benjamin PassBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-49669464456424639312012-01-25T23:52:00.002-04:002015-12-29T05:01:23.233-04:00Thank you Mama!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">"Along time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...."</span></b></div>
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Thus began my all-time favourite movies when I was a kid ... and yes as an adult also! I still remember the first time that I saw a Star Wars movie. I got thinking about it today and it was when we lived in Tennessee so I would have been between the ages of 5 and 8 (though I'm positive it was closer to 5).<br />
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I remember Mama (my mother for all of those who aren't privileged enough to know her) kneeling in front of our old VCR and putting a movie in while Matthew and I sat on the couch. I remember one of us asking what she was putting on and she simply replied with that knowing smile of hers, "It's a good movie. You'll like it."<br />
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To this day I wonder if she had any idea how much Star Wars and Star Trek would impact my life. Now, I'm sure most people think by now, "Okay you're a certifiable nerd and there is no hope for you," but it is true. I have used Star Wars and Star Trek each in sermon illustrations, I am writing about them now in this blog, and they gave me hours of entertainment and heroes to look up to. It didn't matter that they weren't real; what they stood for WAS real.<br />
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Good and evil, right and wrong ARE real things. I remember sitting on that couch and cheering as the Death Star blew up for the first time. I would have written "spoiler alert" first but if you don't know about the Death Star being blown up the first time then I have to ask, "What rock have YOU been hiding under?"<br />
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<b><span style="color: lime;">"Stay on target"</span></b>... good advice. Anyway, I remember how even when things seemed the bleakest, hope still prevailed. I remember when darkness seemed to have all advantages in its favour, that light still triumphed. I remember that a farm boy could become a hero and that no matter what you used to be, you could be someone and something special.<br />
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I still believe in these values taught to me by my mother and George Lucas. So many times through Star Wars especially, I see spiritual matters portrayed. Look at Return of the Jedi; it shows that no matter what you have done, no matter how far you have fallen, redemption is still there if you will only accept it and the forgiveness that you need.<br />
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It is in Star Wars that many people learn that there is more than just this life which we live. <b><span style="color: lime;">"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."</span></b> When we leave this life, we enter into eternity. Now, our final destination lies in our hands, but if we have chosen the Lord and the path of Light, then we will dwell in Heaven forever. We will have glorified bodies, and no longer will we experience pain, age, sorrow, or anything bad. That is more than we can possibly imagine.<br />
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You see that though the Dark Side may be brutal and strong, the Light will always banish the Dark. How like the Lord and Satan! The Lord, the Light of the World, has and will continue to triumph over the Prince of Darkness (by the way, Satan owned the title long before Ozzy Osbourne). Light banishes Darkness and God will always conquer Satan.<br />
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Star Wars shows the value of friendship and that helping each other combat evil is worth more than even Han Solo can imagine of wealth and riches.<br />
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Can you imagine if everyone lived by the way that we first saw Star Wars? Or at least how I first saw Star Wars? Can you imagine if everyone looked out for each other, or if friendship was more important than self or riches? Can you imagine if everyone sought to bring about redemption for their enemies rather than hatred?<br />
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Can you imagine if we all learned to lean on the Lord of Light rather than our own strength? I am so glad for the day when my mother sat me down in front of the TV to introduce me to the Universe of Star Wars. Yes, I'm still a geek, and I do own my own lightsaber (boo yah!), but really, the thing that I cherish the most is the memories and the lessons.<br />
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I cherish the fact that I remember watching these movies with my family, and that we have done so many times over the years. I cherish the fact that I learned so many lessons from Luke, Han, Chewie, Leia, Obi Wan, and yes even Vader, but all of these lessons were merely reinforcements of what my parents took the time to teach me when I was young.<br />
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Maybe Star Wars isn't your thing (may God have mercy on your soul haha), but find something to impact your children's lives or your grandchildren's lives the way that my parents did for me.<br />
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Thank you so much Mama for introducing me to Star Wars and Star Trek, and for always being there. I love you.<br />
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May the Force be with you! May God bless you, and may you walk in the Light always!<br />
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Benjamin Pass<br />
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Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-50222545233167362252012-01-22T00:47:00.000-04:002015-12-29T04:57:56.196-04:00A Brand New Day<b><span style="color: red;">Part of James 4:14</span></b> says, <span style="color: red;"><b>"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."</b></span><br />
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Our days are numbered and believe me when I say that we don't have all that long. If you doubt that, stop for a moment and see how much you remember about last year. How about the year before that? Our time flies by so quickly! It is like the vapour that rises off the surface of the water in the morning and then vanishes away.<br />
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Though the vapour may be beautiful, though it may be something that you see often, it does not last. The beautiful vapour will vanish away with the coming day, and so will we all eventually.<br />
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It would be wonderful to be guaranteed a long life, yet even that would be fleeting in the scope of eternity. The fact of the matter is that we all have our days numbered.<br />
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Knowing that, it then begs the question: what will we do with the days that we have? How is it that we choose to live each brand new day? Do we live it for ourselves or for others? When others comes against us, do we retaliate or do we instead pray for them and try to live our lives as best we can?<br />
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Do we spend the days forging lasting relationships or adding to our friend count on facebook? What did you do yesterday? We live in a day and age where instant gratification is what we are conditioned to seek. "The satisfaction of a job well done" has become a joke! I honestly love the feeling of falling into bed exhausted from doing a good day's work though sadly I do not do so every day.<br />
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I guess the gist of what I am trying to say is this: as you read this, it is most likely morning. It is a brand new day; be sure to make the most of it. Make sure that at the end of the day, you have accomplished something. Maybe it will be something that you did to bond with your family. Maybe you will have made a decision to serve the Lord more diligently. Maybe you will have stepped out of your comfort zone and reached out to someone that normally you would have passed by.<br />
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Whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure that you don't waste this brand new day that you have been given. And faithful readers, enjoy this day. Have fun and don't allow the worries of life to constantly keep you down.<br />
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Take a look around you, this brand new day is yours to do with as you will. What will you do with the blank canvas that is your brand new day?<br />
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God bless!<br />
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Benjamin PassBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-61683444439430122012012-01-13T18:42:00.000-04:002015-12-29T04:54:47.712-04:00I Saw the Lord!<b><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 6:1-5</span></b> says, <span style="color: red;"><b>"In the year that King Uzziah died I then saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphs; each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>And one cried to another, and said, 'Holy, holy, holy, is [the LORD] of Hosts; the whole earth full of His glory.' And the doorposts moved at the voice of the one who cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, 'Woe is me! For I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, [the LORD] of Hosts.'"</b></span><br />
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This is such an amazing passage of Scripture! This won't be a long blog post, but can you imagine how we would all live, act and think if we truly saw the Lord like this? What would our response be? Would we cry out like Isaiah and be afraid of our sin or uncleanness? Or instead would we fall down and worship Him?<br />
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Would we recognize the Lord if we saw Him or would we attempt to reason to bring logical conclusions what our eyes were seeing? I'm reminded of the part of C.S. Lewis's "The Magician's Nephew." This is not verbatim by any means but long story short, the "Magician" Uncle Andrew, sees Aslan the Lion (representative of Christ) creating all the world by singing. He reasons to himself over and over again, "Lions can't sing. All I hear is the Lion roaring."<br />
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He does this until all he can hear is roaring of a lion instead of the song of the Lion. If we saw the Lord high and lifted up, would we truly recognize our God or would we just chalk it up to "the roaring of a lion?"<br />
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If you seek the Lord honestly, then you will find Him. When you encounter Him, allow yourself to be changed by the meeting with Almighty God. Don't just hear "the roaring of a lion."<br />
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God bless you as you seek His face!<br />
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Benjamin PassBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-34849963628773138962012-01-05T03:15:00.000-04:002015-12-29T04:53:08.739-04:00Lessons From Green LanternAs some of my readers may know, I am a bit of a comic book fan. No, I do not buy every single new edition that comes out, nor do I collect the classics in their plastic cases so that the air doesn't damage them. I DO however enjoy reading certain comic books and tend to do so through comic publishers' websites or apps.<br />
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Recently, I've been on a bit of a Green Lantern kick. Now, I know that there are some people who are ready to close down this page by now, but I sincerely hope that you will read this all the way through. </div>
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For those of you who are not that familiar with the Emerald Gladiator, Green Lantern is a character (in the DC Comics Universe) by the name of Hal Jordan. Hal Jordan is picked to become the next intergalactic Guardian of his sector of space and most of his adventures focus on saving the planet Earth. </div>
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He (Green Lantern) takes his name from a lantern shaped device that gives power to a ring that he wears which enables him to fight crime, whether on a local or galactic level, with creations (constructs) made solely out of a green light which can take on any form; solid or not. </div>
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I've said all that to say this, when Green Lantern reaches the end of a 24 hour span, he needs to recharge his ring at the Power Battery (Lantern) and he recites an oath which goes like this:</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">No evil shall escape my sight.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Beware my power---Green Lantern's Light!"</span></b></div>
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My whole point here is of course to bring in a spiritual application. We know that Jesus is the Light of the world, but we are to shine that light throughout the world every day! It shouldn't matter where we are or when it is, we should always be ready to give an accounting of the Lord.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">1 Peter 3:15</span></b> says, <b><span style="color: red;">"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"</span></b></div>
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It shouldn't matter if it is in <b><span style="color: lime;">"Brightest Day"</span></b> or <b><span style="color: lime;">"Blackest Night"</span></b>, we should always be ready to shine the Light into the world. </div>
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The next line of the oath is one that I find interesting.<b> <span style="color: lime;">"No evil shall escape my sight."</span></b> That's quite a statement especially considering the world in which we live today. We are encouraged, nay, commanded by the world around us to turn a blind eye to anything that we don't agree with.</div>
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We are told not to rock the boat, don't make waves, and just go along to get along. We are told to ignore the evil rampaging around us, yet I believe that we should NOT turn a blind eye. We should NOT let evil escape our sight. In a world that is choosing to be blind, let us see things as they are. </div>
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Things ARE black and white when it comes to sin. Sin is sin, and there are no two ways about it. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe firmly in rejecting the sin but still loving the sinner. What I am talking about here is not just turning a blind eye and pretending that nothing is wrong. I'm talking about taking a stand against what is wrong and standing for what is right. </div>
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The last few lines go: <span style="color: lime;"><b>"Let those who worship evil's might beware my power: Green Lantern's light."</b> </span>We need to remember where our power comes from. Our power comes from the Lord, the true Light in the Darkness. We can't do it on our own. We need to get back to the source of our power regularly to get recharged, refilled, and renewed by the love of God and precious communion with Him. </div>
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I want to point out though that when we are walking in the Light as we should be, and we are fresh and charged up by having spent time with God, then we should be ready to fight and work for Him. Yet so many times we want all the blessings that God has for us with none of the responsibilities. We want the power ring without the crime fighting. </div>
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We sit back, enjoy what God has for us, and I tell you, Satan and all those who worship evil's might look at us and laugh. If you haven't been attacked lately, if everything is sunshine and roses and you never have to rely on God to get you through, then I can pretty much guarantee that you are not a threat to the enemy which means that you are not being of benefit to the Lord. </div>
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It is time for us all to realize the great responsibility that we have as Christians. It is time that we start working for the Lord, fighting to do right and start shining the Light wherever we go. </div>
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Now, I'm not suggesting that we all recite Green Lantern's oath. We know that according to Scripture we are not to take any oaths, but rather let our yes be yes and our no be no (<b><span style="color: red;">James 5:2</span></b>) but that also means that when we say that we will work for God, we need to keep our word. </div>
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Our yes must be yes. Yes, Lord, I will work for you. We don't need any oaths for that, but I think that now and then we need to be reminded just what we signed up for, and just maybe it will spur us on to work more for the Lord.<br />
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The last thing I will say in closing is that Green Lantern needs to use Will Power to make his power ring work. If we don't have will power when it comes to the Lord, if we are not willing to make the decision to work for Him and stand by it, then we are not doing any good. We need to say, "Alright, God told me to do this, He'll help me and I'm going to do it!"<br />
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Be strong willed when it comes to following through with what God tells you to do! </div>
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May God bless you and may your light shine brightly even in darkest night!</div>
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Benjamin Pass</div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-57327500938341072792011-12-09T00:56:00.000-04:002015-12-29T04:49:55.451-04:00Salty Speech or Salted Fields?There are so many times that I have read different posts on Facebook by Christians that are not very Christ-like. I read people bashing men, belittling others of either gender, making racist statements, and generally speaking in a very unkind, unloving way. Recently I read a status of one Christian who swore in the status and included statements about how Karma is going to bite their enemy's donkey (at least the word that King James' used for donkey). This really bothers me.<br />
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To be honest, much of what is said and done via the internet bothers me and the reason is this: we are seeing so many people who wouldn't dare to make statements of this nature in "real life," yet when they sit behind their keyboard, they become all fired up and uninhibited. The problem is that people are getting fired up over the wrong reasons and as a result, they are utterly destroying their witness and assassinating their own character. </div>
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Now, I COULD discuss the fact that Karma is NOT found in the Bible and is part of another religion entirely, but I won't. I am going to stick to my subject here (surprising I know) and speak to the fact that many Christians have trouble with "Salty Speech or Salted Fields."</div>
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As you may or may not know, many times when a conquering army breached the walls of the city or town that they had fought against and they dragged the defeated people away, the conquerors would sow salt into the fields around the city. The purpose of that would be to ensure that nothing would grow for a very long time. </div>
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By doing this, the conquering army ensured that their enemy would not return to the city which had been taken. This was done most notably at the conclusion of the Third Punic War between the Republic of Rome and Carthage (a Phoenician colony) which took place approximately between 149-146 BC. When Rome sacked Carthage, they sowed salt into the fields so that any remaining Carthaginians would be unable to grow any crops in that location. </div>
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Simply put, this was a very destructive process. It was an action that was so damaging that it could not be taken back. By the same token, we as Christians are told in <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."</span></b></div>
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A little bit of salt has been proven to be good for you. A recent study showed that people who had a small amount of salt each day had considerably fewer cases of heart disease than people who had a lot, or none at all in their diet. Salt is almost a necessity in our lives for proper health (as long as it is within reason). That is the key though; we must have it in reason. </div>
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Our speech is to be "seasoned with salt" not overflowing with it. Normally when I read the kind of status that I am writing about, I just kee<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">p my mouth shut and shake my head. Last night though, I had to make a statement of my own. This is what I wrote, <b>"I am of the opinion that far too many people take things too far. Instead of having their speech savoured as with salt, they decide to sow salt into the fields of people's lives. Nothing will grow in salted fields, and a love for the Christ you claim to worship will certainly not grow in a life that you have poisoned with your speech."</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I do not regret what I wrote because I am not afraid to take a stand. I get infuriated when I read posts that attempt to shame you into reposting them. I am NOT ashamed of Jesus Christ, my Lord, but I will NOT post a status that is telling people to go back to their own countries if they don't agree with Christmas. I wholeheartedly believe that we need to keep Christ in Christmas, but picking on immigrants will not solve the issue. Must I remind us all that the majority of our country immigrated here at some point? Unless your ancestry is 100% pure Native, then you are descended from an immigrant! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I guess the gist of what I am trying to say is this: don't post things that are hateful. Don't post things that are mean or cruel. Don't post things that are offensive, and most certainly don't post things that will damage people's view of Jesus. As has been said so many times before, "We may be the only Jesus this world ever sees."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you are a Christian, you are an ambassador for Christ. You are representing Jesus to the world around you. Make sure that you do not tarnish the image, or run through the mud the precious name of Jesus. We lament the fact that people want nothing to do with church or with our message, but the question I put to you is this: have you had salty speech or have you been sowing salt into fields? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Have you been showing Jesus to the world or have you been making sure that nothing will grow in that field that is a person's heart? What will you leave behind you when you have left the scene, Salty Speech or Salted Fields? </span>I pray that it will be a positive difference you make and not a negative one.</div>
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God bless,</div>
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Binyamin Pas </div>
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(Benjamin Pass in English) </div>
Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-76067970100073057182011-05-25T14:17:00.000-03:002015-12-29T04:46:12.286-04:00What is Worth Having...I'm sure you all know the olde saying, "What is worth having is worth waiting for." It is so true! The best things in life ARE worth waiting for. Oh, the wait may not be fun at times, and there will be times that you may wonder if you will ever find what you have waited for, but if you will trust in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart as it says in <b>Psalm 37:4</b>.<br />
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I love the account that is recorded in <b>Genesis 29</b> of Jacob waiting for Rachel. The short version is this: Jacob made a deal that if he would work for Laban for seven years, Rachel would be given to him to be his wife. We know of course that Laban tricked Jacob and became the cause of much pain and frustration by giving Leah to Jacob as his wife instead of Rachel whom he loved. Jacob worked another seven years before Rachel was given to him as his wife.<br />
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The thing that always sticks out to me is <b>verse 20</b> which says, <b>"So Jacob worked for seven years to acquire Rachel. But they seemed to him as only a few days because his love for her was so great."</b> What is worth having, who is worth having is worth waiting for. I have waited my whole life to be with the one that God had planned for me. Yes, I went off in my own way a couple of times and was hurt, but it was all for a purpose.<br />
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While the song was over used a few years back, I love the song that says simply, "God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you". We all have our trials that we face, and sometimes the road we journey down is rough, broken and hard to travel, but it is always worth it in the end. I am so glad that I didn't give up, and that I waited for the one that I love. I am so glad that God brought us together.<br />
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I am so glad that I waited for Laverne, and that in two weeks we will be together again. We will begin a life together and not have to be separated by so much distance. She is truly worth waiting for! I encourage any who are out there waiting, to stay strong and wait because it will be worth it. God always has a plan in place for us, and if you wait for His plan, you will find joy and love unlike anything else that is out there.<br />
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God bless!Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-69172440583413884252011-04-25T17:16:00.000-03:002015-12-29T04:45:20.009-04:00Aliens Among ThemGreetings fellow aliens!<br />
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We live in a world that wonders if or where life on other planets may exist. This has been an obsession ever since the Roswell Incident. It has been the subject of countless movies, books, television shows, etc. Are there aliens among us? I believe that there are, and in fact I will admit to you today that I AM an alien! I do not come from this planet, nor will I remain here forever. The difference from the movies could not be more striking though. I did not arrive in some interplanetary craft, nor do I have super-powers or grey skin. By now many of you are wondering what in the worlds am I talking about. Have I truly gone off my rocker? Am I serious to think that I am an alien?<br />
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The Bible records in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Philippians 3:20, "For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ..."</span><br />
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Simply put, we are not citizens of this earth. We can read in the Great Hall of Faith in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Hebrews 11:13-14</span> that, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"These all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> For they who say such things declare plainly that they seek a fatherland." </span><br />
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Once again we see that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. And of course the old term for a foreigner or someone that does not belong in a certain area is....you guessed it, "alien". The word used for "strangers" in that last portion of Scripture is the word "xenos" which literally means "alien or guest".<br />
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We are not from this world. We are strangers and aliens. We will not remain on this world either. The day will come when our King will step out on a cloud and call us home. It will not be a matter of, "Beam us up" but rather, "Come home."<br />
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We can see in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I Thessalonians 4:16-17, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord."</span><br />
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Alien abductions will likely be blamed in the day in which we are raptured, but while it is close to the truth, it is still wrong. It will not be alien abductions, but rather alien migration as we return to the place where we belong. We will stand in Heaven, in our Home, and finally be where we belong. In the meantime though, we are the aliens that walk among all those other people on the world. They can come along with us, but it is up to us to tell them that home is waiting for them. It will then be up to them as to whether or not they will accept the offer that our Lord gives us of home and eternal life.<br />
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So in signing off, may I quote another famous alien by saying:<br />
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"Live long and prosper!"Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-66766468984047344672011-04-01T15:32:00.000-03:002015-12-29T04:43:02.926-04:00DoorsWe've all heard the saying that whenever God closes a door, He opens another one. There is never a time in life that we are stuck if we have placed our trust in the Lord. There are times that God closes a particular door and we have no idea why! The "door" may be any number of things but whatever it is, we don't like having a door closed in our faces. We are creatures of habit, and we like to take the easy road through life. I mean, who wants to choose the hard way if there is an easy way? Would you rather drive to Halifax or walk? It is a simple thing. Well sometimes the reason that God closes the doors that we are ready to walk through is because He is sparing us from something. Maybe the reason that your car broke down on the way to Halifax (we'll use that as our example), is to keep you from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe if there wasn't some delay, you would end up in a serious accident. Maybe there would have been something even worse if you hadn't have been delayed.<br />
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Sometimes though, instead of closing a door to spare you, God closes a door to give you something much better. Years ago, Monty Hall hosted the game show "Let's Make a Deal." Now, there is a remake but the premise is the same. You are presented with blind options and you must choose which prize you would rather have. For example: "Would you like the money or what's behind door number 2?" We need to remember that to God, these are not blind options. He is omniscient, which is a fifty-cent word for all-knowing. He knows what is behind each and every door that we face in life.<br />
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I speak from experience when I say that if God closes a door, it is because He has something so much better in store for you; you just need to trust Him. <b>Jeremiah 29:11</b> tells us about the fact that God has a plan for each of us. This plan is to give us a future and hope. God's plans are never to harm us or be detrimental to our journey with Him. So, sometimes God closes a door to protect us, and sometimes it is to reward us, and it is also a way for Him to give us something so much better than what we had before. As I said, I speak from experience.<br />
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I had a really hard time a while back when it seemed like the door to my future was slammed shut on me. Little did I know at the time how happy I would be once the door was closed. God always blesses those who will remain faithful to Him even during hard times. When doors are closed in life, instead of looking at what you "lost" instead look at all that you have. I still have a wonderful, loving family. I have a very bouncy, perpetually happy beagle who is truly one of this man's best friends. I still have my ministry and the calling on my life. In addition, God has since opened other doors in my life, one of which I am especially thrilled about.<br />
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For those of you who have me on facebook or talk to me regularly, you know that I am dating an absolutely wonderful woman named Laverne. She is a kind, sweet, loving, compassionate, thoughtful and caring person, and she will probably turn beet red reading this because she is so humble as well. Right now we are many miles apart, but as those of you who truly know what love is, physical distance does not dictate the heart. You can be directly beside someone and never have a real connection, or it can be a forced one.<br />
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On the other hand though, you can be miles away and still have such a strong connection to someone. I am so glad, and I thank the Lord that He DID close the doors that He did. Without them being closed, I never would have met my Verny. She truly is special, and proof that God always knows what He is doing. He brought two people together that likely never would have met, and built a bond between us that is only strengthened each day. To those of you out there who are still standing in front of closed doors, it is time to realize that God has a much better plan. That plan may be behind door number 2 or 3 or whatever, but God knows where He is leading. Won't you let Him lead you?<br />
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PB Jr.Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052926246309229537.post-70374424909017831382011-02-01T22:18:00.000-04:002011-02-01T22:18:09.210-04:00Family TimeHi followers of my blog! <div><br />
</div><div>I just thought I would do a bit of writing tonight and let you know what's going on in the Pass household. Tonight we started doing something that I have been looking forward to for months! It all started back when we were kids. When Matthew, Alannah and I were kids (we never were little), we would always take time together as a family to read at night. We would read a chapter or so every night.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, a couple of months ago I got thinking about it, and thought that it would be a nice thing to start up again. You see, it is so easy for everyone to get going their separate ways, and never really spend time together as a family. So for us, we have 5 books picked out, and though it will take a long time to get through them all, we are going to have fun with it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>There are so many people who lament the fact that their families are not closer. Sometimes it takes a determination to make sure that you will set aside time for your family no matter what life brings your way. I know that I do enjoy spending time with my family, and this is just another way that we can do so. Maybe reading isn't your thing, but in my humble opinion, everyone should determine to spend time with their family, and don't let anything get in the way of that. Don't let TV consume your time, or work, or gyms or anything else. God needs to be first in our lives, and family needs to be second. Everything else can come afterwards. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Just a thought.</div>Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13796194470612163445noreply@blogger.com1