tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23127177279807335532024-03-17T07:34:29.195-05:00EZ Sermons OnlineEZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comBlogger1680125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-22405769521438665322024-03-16T22:09:00.001-05:002024-03-17T07:33:23.216-05:00Easter Eggs Part II Strong and Courageous<p></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">Gtcotr/ss03172</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">4</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Everything points to one thing!</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Everything in the Bible, and indeed in the whole of creation, points to one thing, </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God’s plan for mankind</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">No one verse in the Bible tells the whole story although John 3:16 does </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a great job</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> giving the overview. But so does Genesis 1:1-3. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Bible tells only one story. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And i</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t just keeps </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">reiterating</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">that one story</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> over and over in one account after another from Genesis to Revelation. </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God’s plan</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> for mankind</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> is redemption</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God saw fit to share a behind the scenes look at life through the characters</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> a</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">n</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">d accounts</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> of the Bible so that we might learn from </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">victories and failures</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> of others</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. Each story is aimed </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">at teaching truth, hoping we w</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ill</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> learn to walk in the blessings of God.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This is the reason Jesus taught truth through the use of parables, </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God expects us to insert ourselves into each story</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to help us learn what we should and should not do in order to please Him and prosper in this life.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Last week, in Part I of this series, we learned </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Art of Overlays</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">An overlay is an attempt to reinforce the truth of God’s word</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in our minds</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> by inserting ourselves into </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a Bible</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">story to help identify the other characters and the outcome. Once we see ourselves in light of God’s Word and the truth He wishes to highlight in our lives, it is easier to know what we </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">can do</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to please Him in </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">our current situation</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">An overlay helps us to break the Bible code and reveal the hidden meanings contained in the passage</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. The overlay we chose last week was to see Jesus as Moses in</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the 1</span></span><span class="s8" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 16.200001px;">st</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> chapter of Joshua. This overlay</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> would make </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Joshua the Church. (</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">For reference, p</span><span class="s9" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">lease </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">view</span><span class="s9" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;"> the notes </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">from Part I, Easter Moments, The Church, March 10, 2024, at </span><a href="http://www.ezsermons.com/"><span class="s10" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21.6px;">www.EZSermons.com</span></a><span class="s11" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.)</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our conclusions last week were two fold:</span></span></p><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">1. </span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God has His victory already planned.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">2. </span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our part is to make disciples.</span></span></div><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today we pick up where we left off</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> last week in:</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Joshua 1:</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This is a picture of Discipleship</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and the Great Commission</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It’s among the first things God said to Joshua after Moses was no longer on the scene.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Moses was in heaven and Joshua was left on the earth to </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">carry on</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God told Joshua to help</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> others get what</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> He</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> ha</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">d</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">already </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">given them. </span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Remember, God knows the end from the beginning</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and He expects us to act like it</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Almost 42 years ago, o</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">n </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">July 4, 1982, I </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">was </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the pastor of</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Word of Faith Church in Simms, Texas. I </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">had s</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ecluded myself for </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3 days</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> that week to</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">fast and pray</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. While I </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">was </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">worshipping</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> God that day,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> I had a deeply </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">moving </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">spiritual experience and was drawn into what I can only describe as the presence of the Lord. Something</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> like a cloud</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">moved</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> into the room.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> I </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">bowed </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">down </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">on my face</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">began pouring</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> my heart out to the Lord.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">To this day </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">still </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">have vivid memories</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> each time I revisit that moment. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I remember hearing</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> myself crying </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“Bless your people </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">O God</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, bless your people</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.” </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Suddenly</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> a </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">voice</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, like r</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">olling thunder,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> p</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ierced</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the veil of my </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">soul</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. The </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">im</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">measurable depth of that voice startled </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">me</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. It was so close and so far away at the same time. It filled everything. It was everything.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I felt the words passing</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">through me. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I knew it was the voice of almighty God. He said:</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“I have blessed My people. Now you go and you teach them how to walk in My blessings.”</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">With that, the presence of God withdrew from the room in the same manner it </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">had come</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and I was left </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">there </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">on the floor with the calling of God</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> deeply and immovably planted</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in my heart. Since that moment I have not hesitated, been confused, or missed an opportunity to teach someone how to take the next step </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> please God. </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is always something you can do to please God</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Not everyone listens, but that hasn’t stopped me.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The calling </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">we read which was </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">on the life </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">of Joshua </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is the same calling that is</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> on the Church</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> today</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is the Great Commission. </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Help others get what God has already given them.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is simple, but it is not easy. Joshua 1 was not written so that we might </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">stand in awe of</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Joshua, or so that we might learn some history lesson. Joshua 1 was written for us to know and to have confidence in God’s calling on our lives.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What if Joshua 1 had your name on it?</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> What if a messenger sent from God spoke these words directly over your life? Well … here I am, sent from God, with a message</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> from heaven</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> for you</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. (</span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Read the </span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">O</span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">verlay </span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">E</span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">dition</span></span><span class="s14" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> – </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It’s a work in progress.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Joshua 1</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> OE</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7 “Only be strong and very courageous, that you</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Born-Again Believer</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> may observe to do according to all the law</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(the Word)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> which Moses</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(Jesus)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 “This Book of the Law</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(the Bible)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> shall not depart from your mouth, but you</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the Believer</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">9 “Have I</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> not commanded you</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the Believer</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> with you wherever you go.”</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Doesn’t this sound exactly like the end of each one of the </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Gospels?</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus went to heaven and the Church went into all the world.</span></span></div><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Next week we will </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">conclude our overlay series of Joshua 1 with </span></span><span class="s16" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Part III - </span></span><span class="s16" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Answered Prayer</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> The following Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> as a family</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">!</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Our Take-Aways today:</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">1. </span><span class="s3" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Everything points to one thing – God’s plan for mankind.</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">a. </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God’s plan is redemption.</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">b. </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Church has been called by God</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to lead His children</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to obtain their inheritance</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">2. </span><span class="s3" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God has blessed His people.</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">a. </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Do you know how to walk in the blessings of God?</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;">b. </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Have you gotten</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> yourself</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> ready for what God already has ready for you?</span></span></div><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The first step into the inheritance prepared for you before the foundation of the world is to be Born-Again by</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the Spirit of God.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> You need to be a member of the family if you intend to inherit family land.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today you can begin a new life as a new creation in Christ Jesus. If you believe in your heart and ask Jesus to forgive you and save your soul, He will. Once you invite Him into your life you will know the difference. The Bible and life itself will take on new meaning and you will begin to see things the way God sees them. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As you grow in Christ, you will become spiritually stronger</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> God will give you His </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Holy </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Spirit and angels on assignment to help you and guide you and to take you to </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the Promise Land</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> when it’s your time. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus will help you get on the right road and also help you to recover from any unfortunate falls. He will love you, forgive you, teach you, and use you as a light shining in the darkness of this world so that others might come to the light and see the truth and get saved themselves. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Eternity is waiting just like the Promise Land was waiting on the Children of Israel to grow up and cross over.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s16" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Be strong and courageous</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">! You’re being given the chance to cross over the Jordan instead of dying </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and being buried </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">alone in the wilderness of this world.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let’s pray right now.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Next week – Answered Prayer!</span></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-37456118471399487482024-03-16T07:19:00.002-05:002024-03-17T07:33:05.654-05:00 The Road to the Cross The Triumphal Entry ~ Bethphage ~<p>We are beginning a new series entitled The Road to the Cross. We will be following some of the encounters Jesus had on His way to Calvary. Jesus is on His last trip to Jerusalem. It is there that Jesus would eventually be crucified. He began His journey to Jerusalem from Galilee. It continued all the way down the eastern side of the Jordan River into the region of Perea. Jesus passed through Jericho where He encountered Zacchaeus and ate in his home.</p><p>Afterwards, He continues on the road to Jerusalem. Jericho was about 18 miles from Jerusalem, give or take. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He made a pit stop in the city of Bethphage. Bethphage was a small town on the Mount of Olives. Let’s begin reading in Luke chapter 19.</p><p>Luke 19:28-38</p><p>28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up toJerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”</p><p> Passage Review:</p><p>• Jesus sends His disciples ahead to prepare for His arrival in Jerusalem.</p><p>• He sends them to Bethphage to retrieve a donkey’s colt that belongs to someone else .</p><p>Matthew 21:1 - “Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives...” </p><p>• Jesus says that if the owners ask why they are taking their donkey, they are to tell them that the Lord was in need of it.</p><p>• Once his disciples arrive with the colt, Jesus climbs on it and rides into Jerusalem.</p><p>• As He arrives, people began laying their clothes on the road to pay homage to Jesus as their king.</p><p>The idea of Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem was a common one in that day. Typically, a victorious king would enter a city, not on a donkey but on a horse. He would have citizens from his kingdom singing his praises as well as soldiers from his army marching ahead. It was supposed to be a big spectacle to ensure every person knew who this incoming king was.</p><p>However, that was not the case with Jesus. Although He is the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords, although it was through Him that all things were created and all things are sustained, He did not need to put it on display. Instead, He came in on a young donkey with a relatively small crowd of people singing His praises. It was a much different display. If you were used to grand entrances in this day, you would not have been impressed. However, the strength of His kingdom was not in a public demonstration but in the essence of who He was.</p><p>There were no tricks, no gimmicks, no public parade, none of that. None of that was necessary. Instead, the only presentation that was needed was Jesus Himself.</p><p>We don’t need to dress Jesus up for others. We don’t have to try to make Him look better. We don’t need to try and impress people. All we have to do is give them Jesus. That’s it.</p><p>Jesus + Nothing = Everything</p><p>Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was still a big deal. His ushering into the City of David was a fulfillment of prophecy found in the book of Zechariah.</p><p>Zechariah 9:9</p><p>Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem was a big deal because it was a prophetic announcement of who He would become for the whole world. There are a few threads that we see:</p><p>- His disciples and the crowds welcomed Him and sang His praises.</p><p>- He did not stop them from praising Him but received it.</p><p>- People laid their cloaks down to pay Him homage as their king.</p><p>- King Saul, King David, King Solomon, they were all types and shadows of the true King of Israel, Jesus the Christ, who had come to establish a new kingdom. </p><p> “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!</p><p> Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”</p><p> • Jesus as a mighty king</p><p>• Jesus as the long awaited Messiah</p><p>- He is celebrated as the Messiah</p><p>- He was declaring that He was the Messiah they had waited so long for </p><p>• Jesus as being misunderstood</p><p>- The crowds were not celebrating Jesus as their king and messiah because He would save them from their sin.</p><p>- They celebrated Jesus because they heralded Him as the chosen messiah who would lead a revolt against the Roman Empire to deliver them from their oppression.</p><p>- They would eventually realize that He was not coming to do what they thought He had come to do.</p><p>- Eventually, those praises that were heaped on Jesus would quickly turn to chants of “crucify Him” in just a few days.</p><p>- God had a plan, and He was going to ensure it came to pass regardless of what everyone else thought, said, or did. Society was not going to define who Jesus was or what He had been called to do. That had already been established because truth is absolute. And there was nothing anyone could say or do about it.</p><p>- Culture could not determine who Jesus was then, and it cannot determine who Jesus is today. Culture today paints Jesus out to be</p><p>• Cool with all walks of life</p><p>• Accepting of faith in all religions</p><p> • More human than God</p><p>- Let us not fall into the trap of allowing the devil to change what we believe to be true. Instead, let us uphold the true Jesus as a banner.</p><p>- Jesus came to the earth to die on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins. He resurrected from the grave and is sitting at the right hand of God, waiting to come back to redeem His people.</p><p>- If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, then you will be saved.</p><p>Moving forward, what a beautiful moment that was. Can you imagine being there? Seeing Jesus riding in on a donkey, knowing what you know now? How incredible that would have been.</p><p>However, while this moment is all about Jesus, there is still one person in this story that really sticks out to me. That person is the owner of the donkey. Jesus knew that there was a young donkey waiting for Him that had yet to be ridden. However, that donkey belonged to someone.</p><p>The owner of that donkey knew that it had yet to be ridden, but didn’t know that it had been requested by Jesus Himself. Therefore, Jesus tells His disciples that when they are loosing the colt from its holding place, to inform the owners that “The Lord” was in need of it.</p><p>Now just imagine, someone else comes onto your property and begins to unrope the donkey that belongs to you and gets ready to take it away. We would all be a bit suspicious! However, what happens next is amazing.</p><p>His disciples tell the owner what Jesus told them to say, that the Lord was in need of their donkey. The very next words are that the disciples brought that donkey to Jesus. Did you catch that? What is amazing is that there is no indication that the owner of that donkey was opposed to it being used for the Lord’s purposes.</p><p>It was on the back of this donkey that Jesus would be ushered into Jerusalem as the savior of the world and the king of our hearts; which would all be solidified later that week.</p><p>Why? Because the Lord was in need of that donkey, and the owners said yes.</p><p>The Lord is in need of you today. He is in need of your life, in need of your finances, in need of your children, in need of your talents, your abilities, in need of your service; He is in need of you.</p><p>Through you, your life, your children, your talents, etc, Jesus will be glorified and lifted up and He will draw all men to Himself.</p><p>John 12:32 - “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”</p><p>All you have to do is say, YES.</p><p>We all have an opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of God’s plan. All we have to do is say yes.</p><p>The Lord is in need of you today. Will you say yes?</p><p>You may say:</p><p>- I am not good enough</p><p>- What I have is not good enough - I have made too many mistakes - I don’t have what it takes</p><p>- Etc.</p><p>Jesus was in need of a donkey. A donkey was something that was rejected by God Himself. He would not allow the offering of a donkey. If they wanted to, they could replace it with a lamb and in doing so, redeem it for personal use. If not, then they were to break it’s neck.</p><p>Exodus 13:13</p><p>“But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck.”</p><p>However, Jesus found use of this donkey. He Himself redeemed that which was rejected in God eyes.</p><p>Whatever we have, it may not be much in our possession, but it is redeemed and is of use in the hands of God.</p><p>Takeaways:</p><p>1. Allow Jesus to be King of your life </p><p>2. Don’t allow culture to define who Jesus is in your life </p><p> 3. The Lord is in need of you</p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-44464753690513145052024-03-13T18:28:00.002-05:002024-03-17T07:33:56.452-05:00 The Road to the Cross - Looking for Jesus<p><span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today we are going to be in the book of Luke, specifically in chapter 19. As we stand today, we are just a few weeks away from Easter, or Resurrection Day. With that being the case, I thought it would be fitting to look into the final events before Jesus</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’ </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">crucifixion.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As we pick up in chapter 19, Jesus is in the third and final year of His earthly ministry, which ranges from Luke chapter 9 and on. </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">[Show Map] </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Chapters 12 to 18 cover Jesus ministry in Perea, which is the region beyond the Jordan. When we get to chapter 19, Jesus is on His final stretch back to Jerusalem. In fact, He is just a few weeks away from the final week of His earthly ministry; also known as Passion Week (Luke 19:28 and on).</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">At the beginning of chapter 19, we find Jesus in Jericho. Let</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s pick up reading from in verse 1.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Luke 19:1-10</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1 </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He entered Jericho and was passing through.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So he ran on ahead and climbed up into</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">5</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> “</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I must stay at your house today.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">6</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So he hurried and came down and</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">received him joyfully.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And when they saw it, they all</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">grumbled, </span></span><span class="s9" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, </span></span><span class="s9" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Behold, Lord, the half of my goods</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I give to the poor. And if I have</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">fourfold.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">9</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And Jesus said to him,</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> “</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today salvation has come to this house, since</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he also is a son of Abraham.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">10</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, passes through Jericho.</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> He was on His way to Jerusalem and went through Jericho. </span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jericho was a very prosperous and affluent city. It was a very desirable place to live. Balsam trees were planted all throughout the city of Jericho. Balsam trees were known for their fragrances they gave off so Jericho became known for the sweet aroma it gave off. The city also had a natural spring in which it produced fresh water. It was like an oasis in the middle of the desert. On top of that, it was a trading hub in that day. People from all different parts of the known world would travel to Jericho to trade their goods. It was a city that catered to the rich and wealthy.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Now, scripture specifically mentions that Jesus was simply passing through. However, there was another reason Jesus needed to pass through Jericho; his name was Zacchaeus.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Now there are a few things we learn about Zacchaeus in this passage:</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s13" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; text-indent: -14px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He was rich</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - Zacchaeus had a lot of money. He was very wealthy. He likely had a large home, many servants, plentiful food, fine cloths, etc. </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; text-indent: -14px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He was a chief tax collector</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - Not only was Zacchaeus a tax collector, he was a chief tax collector. This meant that he oversaw provinces of other tax collectors. It is also important to note that tax collectors made their money off however much they were able to charge on top of a heavy Roman tax. Therefore, tax collectors were highly motivated to run up the tax prices as high as possible in order to get as much as they possibly could. Knowing this gives reason to believe why Zacchaeus was so rich, because of wrongful tax farming. </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; text-indent: -14px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He was rejected by society</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - Because of these things, Zacchaeus would have been hated and despised by his own people in the Jewish community. They despised him for taking advantage of his own people by taxing them, not only on behalf of the Romans, but for his own profit as well. They despised him for the wealth he amassed for himself through wrongful gain at their own expense. </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; text-indent: -14px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He was short</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - He was also short. The average height of men in that day was about 5 feet 5 inches; meaning that Zacchaeus would have been somewhere around 5 feet tall. That would be comparable to someone like Kevin Hart.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Zacchaeus was not seen as the typical everyday Jewish person of that day. Instead, he was looked down on by society and was treated like an outcast. He likely would have been treated like an outsider, disowned by his own family, and even told that he was not a </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">real Jew.</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Nevertheless, with all of that being true, Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Luke 19:3 - </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he was seeking to see who Jesus was</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…” </span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Although Zacchaeus was an outcast, he was trying to find Jesus. He heard Jesus was coming but he couldn</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t get a good glimpse of Him. So what did he do? He climbed up in a Sycamore tree. </span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Now that may not be of much importance to us today, but that would have been a big deal in the culture back then. The only people who climbed trees were children. In fact, you wouldn</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t even think of climbing a tree as a grown adult. You would be considered a fool and made fun of. However, Zacchaeus climbed that Sycamore tree regardless of what people thought of him. Why? Zacchaeus was really looking for Jesus. </span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">No doubt he was trying to find out if Jesus really was who he said he was. Jesus had grown in popularity during that time. He had thousands of people coming to see him. So Zacchaeus no doubt heard about Jesus. He most likely heard about the miracles He performed, the lessons He taught, the authority that He walked with, and who He claimed to be. A lot of people were searching for Jesus in that day. However, I imagine Zacchaeus had a personal reason to find Jesus. I imagine Zacchaeus wanted to find out if Jesus would really accept him, forgive him, and provide relief to his soul. </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Zacchaeus was really looking for Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus saw Zacchaeus.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Luke 19:5 -</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> “</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I must stay at your house today.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There were a lot of people who wanted to see Jesus. He was popular and He did amazing things. But many just wanted to see a show. Zacchaeus however was looking for Jesus. He wanted to see if Jesus could really provide relief for his soul. Zacchaeus, through his desperate measures, showed that he was really looking for Jesus, and Jesus saw him.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Like Zacchaeus, there are people around us everyday who are looking for Jesus. Whether they realizer it or not, they are searching for Jesus. They are looking for something to satisfy their soul. They are people every day who look like everything is perfect on the outside, but are truly are discontent and looking for a solution. These people are at your workplaces, in your businesses, in your neighborhood, in your family, etc. These are the people who show up in church and take up your seats unknowingly. Why? Because they are trying to find Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">However, they may have a hurdle in front of them: they have been marked by society, they have been rejected by some, maybe they are being rejected by you.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Maybe these people are not our cup of tea, maybe they are different than us, maybe they have different political beliefs that we do. However, with all of that aside, </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People are looking for Jesus, and Jesus is looking for them. </span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All God needs is for us to reach out.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All God needs is for us to love them, invite them to church, make them feel welcomed in service, tell them about Jesus, etc.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That is what Jesus did, He reached out to Zacchaeus and his life changed.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Luke 19:8 -</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, </span></span><span class="s9" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Behold, Lord, the half of my goods</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I give to the poor. And if I have</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">fourfold.</span></span><span class="s8" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Not only did Zacchaeus invite Jesus into his home, he invited Jesus into his heart. It says that Zacchaeus said he would:</span></span></p><div class="s14" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Give half of what he owned to the poor</span></span></div><div class="s14" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Restore four times what he had stolen from anyone</span></span></div><div class="s14" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That is a big deal!</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">No one would ever do something like that; unless Jesus came into their heart and changed them from the inside out</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">… </span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">that is what happened to Zacchaeus. </span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God had a plan for Zacchaeus, God was in need of him.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We never know God</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s plan for someone else in our life. All we have to know is that God has a plan for their life; He is in need of them. He is in need of those in your work place, in your family, at church, etc. All we have to do is reach out to them.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Takeaways:</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s16" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">1. </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People everywhere are looking for Jesus</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s16" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">2. </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God has a plan for them</span></span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s16" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">3. </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He just needs you to reach out to them</span></span></div>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-77328475302505469322024-03-09T20:02:00.000-06:002024-03-09T20:02:26.219-06:00Easter Eggs Part I – The Church<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ss031024</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
years we have read the Bible searching for overlays and discovering parallel
truths which highlight the plan of God for our lives today. Those of you just
joining us may be asking, “<span style="color: red;">What is an overlay</span>?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">An overlay is an attempt to reinforce the truth of God’s Word</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> in our minds by
inserting ourselves into a Bible story to help identify the characters and the
outcome. Once we see ourselves in light of God’s Word and the truth He wishes
to highlight in our lives, it is easier to know what we need to do in order to
please Him in any scenario. Hidden truths are all around us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
example, <span style="color: red;">Jesus used parables to highlight truth</span>.
He intended we insert ourselves into the parable as the farmer or the seed or
the soil or whatever else He was talking about. Once we discover who we are in
the story, we can know if we want to continue as that character on that path or
if we need a character change. I mean, who wants to be the foolish man who
built his house on the sand? Worse yet, who wants to offer sand for others to
build their houses on?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">With
this thought in mind, we know there are many Bible stories which highlight <span style="color: red;">The Resurrection and the Great Commission</span>. Today we
will make use of one of the accounts from the book of Joshua, which teaches
both. Follow along with me as we overlay Joshua 1 with the account of the first
Easter and discover the continuing plan of God for our lives today.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joshua 1 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the death of Moses
the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son
of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today
we will overlay Moses with Jesus. So that will make Joshua the disciples of
Jesus, which today is the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Disciples became the Church:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the Gospels<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Church = is mentioned 3 times, twice in one verse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Disciples = is mentioned 226 times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the Book of Acts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Church = is mentioned 22 times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Disciples = is mentioned 29 times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the Epistles and Beyond – Romans through Revelation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Church = is mentioned 90 times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Disciples = 0<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
New Testament covers a period of approximately 40 years … one generation. It is
a snapshot of what every generation should do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Disciples are intended by God to become the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is the only Biblical pattern we have been given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
parallel truths do you think God is trying to reinforce by giving us this
account of Joshua taking the place of Moses?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God did not speak to
Joshua at all until Moses was in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God did not speak to
the Disciples until Jesus was in heaven.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Moses My servant is dead.
Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land
which I am giving to them — the children of Israel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both
Moses and Jesus taught people who were wandering in this world, outside of the
promise land, outside of the Kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
someone else’s turn! The Bible says Jesus went to heaven, He sat down, and they,
the Church, went forward. (Mark 16:19-20)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Church in Jerusalem; Antioch; Ephesus; Rome … always taking ground.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every place that the sole
of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
said, “As the Father has sent Me, so send I you.” (John 20:21)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“From the wilderness and
this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of
the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be
your territory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
boundaries were also delineated in the New Testament’s Great Commission (Matthew
28:18-20): <span style="color: red;">“Go into all the world and make disciples of
all nations.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
said to become power-filled witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the
uttermost parts of the world.” (Acts 1:8)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No man shall <i>be able to</i>
stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, <i>so</i> I
will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
will never leave us or forsake us so that we might boldly say... the Lord is my
Helper, I will not be afraid of men. (Hebrews 13:5-6)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Behold
I give you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions. (Luke 10:19)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
gates of hell shall not prevail against you … (Matthew 16:18-19)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
is a boldness made available to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We
are Soldiers of the Cross, Members of the Church, and Children of the Most High
God. We have been filled with the same Spirit of God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
is not a job we have been called to do but rather a privilege and a position to
which we have been born. Did you find any easter eggs hidden in the Word of God
today? Here are two things I hope you will take away from this morning’s
message?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God has His victory already planned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And He has planned
your victory as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everything is right on
schedule and according to God’s plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t be afraid of men
or of any demon from hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our part is to make disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is done in
everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s not a job … it’s
a joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And it’s simple, just
talk to your friends about Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">BTW - make sure you
invite them to Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God’s plan depends on them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joshua 1:6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be strong and of
good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land
which I swore to their fathers to give them.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Next week we will pick up right here and
continue hunting for easter eggs as we dig deeper in Part II which is entitled:
Strong and Courageous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-57361840600562532172024-03-06T16:41:00.004-06:002024-03-06T18:47:35.679-06:00Join us for our live stream!<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/sSx4xQu-QzU?si=iRJLK5oN2snb2mjc">https://www.youtube.com/live/sSx4xQu-QzU?si=iRJLK5oN2snb2mjc</a></p><p>Or find service times at </p><p><a href="https://www.cotr.com/">https://www.cotr.com/</a></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-11231383374458587202024-03-03T06:00:00.009-06:002024-03-03T06:00:45.625-06:00Nothing New<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ss030324</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ecclesiastes 1:9 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That which
has been <i>is</i> what will be, That which <i>is</i> done is what will be
done, And <i>there is</i> nothing new under the sun.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While
we ponder on that thought, allow me a minute to give a <b><u>Recent Mission’s
Update</u></b> concerning Gioto Garbage Dumpsite, Nakuru, Kenya.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
returned home Friday evening from a mission trip to Kenya. While there I had
the opportunity to preach in a Church, teach in several meetings, witness to
numbers of people, and provide discipleship training to groups of men, women,
boys and girls. We further participated in feeding hundreds and hundreds of
very hungry people and gave fresh water to a large community of families who
are in great need.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
also accomplished several other goals including making about 20 home visits,
starting 5 small businesses among our sponsored families, and upgrading our 2 KE
Learning Center classrooms with new solar TV’s for enhanced educational
capabilities. The trip was a great success and we saw many pray to receive
salvation for the first time and their testimonies were nothing short of
miraculous. I was overwhelmed and thankful each day. Lives and eternal lives
are being changed. All glory to God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
overriding reason why I went to Kenya on this trip was to secure a location
where some of the young girls we sponsor could be safe from the abuse many are
experiencing. While in Nakuru, the Lord opened a door for us to lease a large 6
bedroom, 4 bath home, sitting on a fenced plot of ground, with a gate house,
producing fruit trees, and even a chicken house, as well as room for goats and
a vegetable garden. This home Is one I helped to build in the late 90’s,
finishing it in 2002. Since then it has served as a home for ministers and
their families. Only the Lord knew this door would open. It’s amazing how given
time things come full circle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
is owned by Rev Dr Musa Njuguna, our long-time friend and partner in the
ministry. By the grace of God and in league with our friendship over the
decades, he heard of our need and offered this home to us. Thursday morning our
attorneys in Kenya drew up a 40-year lease agreement and we take possession of
the property on May 1<sup>st</sup>. By the time our next mission team returns
from Nakuru in July of this year, we will be ready to open our home for young
girls from the Gioto garbage dumpsite who are at current risk for rape and
pregnancy. These sponsored girls who have already been identified are primarily
between the ages of 10 and 16.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
will be happy to share more details with those of you who wish to know. We will
be responsible for electricity, along with general upkeep, and a few repairs
and a fresh coat of paint which we will want to complete before moving the
girls and their house mother in. The lease amount is a set 40,000 Kenya
Shillings per month which equals about $270.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
will be putting some of the things needed for our Nakuru girl’s home on our
second quarter giving opportunities list as soon as we get the estimates. We
will need beds, appliances, covers, towels, cookware, dishes and a few chickens
and some seeds for our vegetable garden. Thanks to all of you who have helped
to make this dream a reality. God will bless you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
don’t consider ourselves big enough, important enough, or ever able to solve
all of the world’s problems. <span style="color: red;">We aren’t looking for the
last one</span> who needs help <span style="color: red;">… we are looking for the
next one</span> God puts in front of us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
addition to securing the girl’s home, this past Monday morning I asked to meet
with 5 people living at Gioto who we had identified as potential small business
owners. I put a plan together and wrote a few simple guidelines for creating a
small business within the immediate community of about 10,000 people. I wanted
to make an initial investment in the 4 women and 1 man we had invited. When
people heard we were teaching keys to starting a small business, over 50 quickly
crowded into one of our small classrooms while many others stood outside listening
through the door and window.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Besides
going over the small business startup guidelines I had written as handouts, I
also shared 5 principles of life I felt they needed to hear. Specifically:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Success is simple, but it is not easy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In fact, it is very
hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What you do with the little you have is what you will do with more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God knows this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You will not change
His mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you are faithful
over a little, God will provide the increase.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God will give you bread to eat and seed to sow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do not eat your seed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Success is simple, but
it is hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you eat your seed,
you will fail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Share your bread, but
don’t eat your seed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Make God your partner
and you will do well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Protecting your reinvestment
is critical to success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You must learn to say “No” to yourself, and to say “No” to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Success is simple, but
it is not easy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you cannot or will
not say “no” when necessary, you will fail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Your behavior will dictate your success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God gives you bread to
eat and seed to sow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What you do with the
little you have is what you will do with more when you get it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You must learn to say
“No” to yourself and to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Success is simple, but
it is hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Your behavior before
God will determine your success.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree <i>was</i> good for
food, that it <i>was</i> pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make <i>one</i>
wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and
he ate.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
first problem known to mankind was a simple behavioral problem. Even in a
perfect world like the Garden of Eden, with sinless man governing all of God’s
creation … God set boundaries. However, Eve could not say no to herself, and
Adam could not say no to Eve.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Believe
me, there is nothing new under the sun. Success in almost any endeavor, whether
in business, marriage, family, school, or spiritual matters, is simple. Success
in life is simple, but it is not easy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Look
at God’s top ten list … and btw – God is still setting boundaries.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Ten
Commandments<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Exodus 20</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall have no other gods before Me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not make for yourself idols and worship them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Honor your Father and Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not murder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not commit adultery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not steal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They’re
simple, but they’re not easy. 8 out of the top 10 are “No’s”! 80% of the 10
Commandments are aimed at curbing, not encouraging, human nature. And 80% say
no to what people are prone to do. Jesus said to treat people the way you want
to be treated.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 7:14<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because narrow <i>is</i>
the gate and difficult <i>is</i> the way which leads to life, and there are few
who find it.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
is nothing new under the sun. The way it is, is the way it always has been and
always will be. We need to become comfortable with no.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Success
is simple, it’s just hard … but what we may not realize is that failure is
harder still. <span style="color: red;">It’s really harder to fail than it is to
succeed</span>. Like Jesus said: It is more blessed to give than it is to
receive. (Acts 20:35)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
first simple step is to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life. It’s
simple but it is not easy. Lay your life down at His feet. Lay down your hurt,
your bitterness, your unforgiveness, your sin, your inability to say no to
yourself or to others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Come to Jesus </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">…
give it all to God, and begin a new life today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s
pray.<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-71403360102768221772024-03-03T05:56:00.005-06:002024-03-03T06:02:18.241-06:00Sunday Circles - Understanding Easter<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 11:25 Jesus said … “I am the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die,
he shall live.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Point #1</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why Passover?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scripture Reference:</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Mark 14:1
After two days it was the Passover and <i>the Feast</i> of
Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might
take Him by trickery and put <i>Him</i> to death.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Why was Jesus crucified on Passover?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">First, because it was the only credible day in which
the Lamb of God could have been sacrificed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1500 years earlier, God instituted this Feast for
two main reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To remember the children of Israel being delivered
from slavery in Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To point to the day God would deliver His children
from slavery to this world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Lamb of God could only have been sacrificed at
the Feast of Passover. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jesus is the Passover. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Matthew 26:2 “You know that after two days is the
Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Discussion
Question: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What do you think
about when you hear the word “Passover?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Point #2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Why the cross?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scripture Reference:</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> John 3:14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son
of Man be lifted up.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from
the earth, will draw all <i>peoples</i> to Myself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John 12:33 This He said, signifying by what death He
would die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It was necessary that Jesus fulfill every prophecy. (Luke
24:44)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Beheading just would not do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">His hands and His feet must be pierced. (Psalms
22:16)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">None of His bones could be broken. (Psalms 34:20)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 49:15-16 tells of the Messiah inscribing us
on the palms of his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Death on the cross allowed for each element of these
prophecies to be fulfilled.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Discussion
Question:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Why do you think it is important to God that each
prophecy be fulfilled?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Point #3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> Why Resurrection?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scripture Reference:</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 1
Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith <i>is</i> useless,
and you are still in your sins.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Resurrection identifies Jesus as the Son of God with power over death. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christianity
is the only faith that serves a risen Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1
Corinthians 15 explains that if there is no Resurrection, then those who die
simply cease to exist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
our faith is only intended to affect this life, then our faith is a pitiful faith.
(1 Corinthians 15:19)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
we believe in life after death, we must believe in the Resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His
death purchased our salvation, and His Resurrection proves it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Discussion
Question: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
hope would we have without the Resurrection of the dead?</span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-76227940348552280892024-02-17T20:17:00.000-06:002024-02-17T20:17:43.868-06:00Why do we suffer?<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ss021824</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Peter 5 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">8 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom
he may devour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resist him, steadfast in
the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood
in the world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
seems to be this brotherhood of sufferers who, just like their leader, Jesus
Christ the one and only Son of Almighty God, are subject to quite a bit of
suffering in this world. It’s almost like we are being trained to suffer and
taught how to endure it so as to not allow the pain or pressures of this life
to make us quit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
one of my early morning prayer times last week I earnestly asked God to help me
understand why born-again Believers in Jesus Christ suffer. In talking with
God, which hopefully we are all doing more of this year, I told God I would
accept any answer He gave me without being judgmental or complaintive. I wanted
to go on record with Him again concerning my reverence and respect for His
wisdom. It far exceeds my human knowledge and considerations. He knows what He
is doing. I trust Him completely.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After
I asked God to help me understand why Born-Again Believers suffer and to whose
benefit it was, I sat back and began going over scriptures I remembered from
the New Testament concerning suffering. Several came to mind, and so I looked
them up and read them. (2 Corinthians 15; Romans 8; 2 Timothy; Philippians 3; 1
Peter – there are like 15 just in 1 Peter.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
considered how Jesus suffered and why He suffered. As I meditated on the
scriptures in a quiet spiritual time with an open mind before God, He in turn opened
the eyes of my understanding and I saw it. (Ephesians 1:18)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This world and every person born on earth is on a collision course
with death and destruction</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">. (2 Peter 3:1-15; Revelation 21:1)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
are riding on a ship destined to sink and kill everyone on board.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
only hope is to be saved beyond this life. God sent His only begotten Son to
open a door and secure our passage into eternal life, safe from the harm we are
subject to without Him. (Revelation 20:12-15)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
earth has been infiltrated and sabotaged by an evil spirit. Every system was corrupted
and remains compromised. This world is winding down and will one day no longer
be able to sustain life. (Revelation 20:11)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While
we are on this earth speeding towards destruction, we are subject to the evils,
hardships, and sufferings of the day. The earth is passing through sinful space
and the inhabitants are subject to pain, sickness, poverty, betrayal, and
death. The only thing worse than living in this world is to leave here without Jesus
and the transformation He offers. You must be born again to be able to enter
into God’s eternal glory. (John 3:5-7)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A man cannot walk into God’s glory any more than you can walk into
the glory of the sun</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">.
It will burn you up unless you are made of the same substance. You must be born
of the Spirit of God to enter His glory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10) All who do
not possess the garment of salvation and robe of righteousness will not be able
to remain in God’s presence. All whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book
of Life. (Matthew 22:11-14; Revelation 20:15)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Take
a look outside. The beauty of a bright sun-filled spring day can be turned into
chaos in one brief moment. From public protests to war, from overcrowded jails
to overcrowded hospitals, from empty churches to empty hearts, from the
homeless to the helpless, from disruption to corruption, from crime to cancer,
suffering is everywhere and yet there is hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
created this world as the perfect haven of rest for His children. He provided
them with every need and gave them instructions to follow in order to protect
them from ever experiencing sin, sickness, poverty, or death. The balance of
life was blessings, and all was well in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1&2)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God expected Adam and Eve to obey Him despite the temptation to do
otherwise</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">.
He trusted them and gave them authority to rule over everything He created on
the earth. They, in and of themselves, did not prove trustworthy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
tempted with pride and owning the right to choose, Adam and Eve chose to
disobey God (Genesis 3). This disruption to God’s plan opened a door to darkness
and they invited an evil spirit to rule and reign over the earth God had given
them. This evil spirit, the devil, sowed seeds of death and destruction in the
lives of men and thus began his reign of darkness and chaos. (Ephesians 2:2)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">No
longer the safe-haven God intended, the earth began to spin out of control.
Once protected by the divine hand of God, plans now had to be made to cover
those who would be born to die on this planet and to secure their souls from
eternal destruction once they left the confines of their mortal bodies. (2
Corinthians 5:1-8)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Temporary
measures were put into place by God to cover His Children from the evil which
was growing around them. With death and destruction looming over every soul,
God could not allow to leave only temporary measures to remain in place. God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believed in
Him might not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All
who call upon the name of Jesus shall be saved. But <span style="color: red;">How
shall anyone know this unless they are told?</span> How can anyone be rescued
unless someone is sent to rescue them? (Romans 10:13-15)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
evil forces of darkness, the same darkness that first deceived man in the
Garden, continue their attempts to capture the minds and souls of men and women
each day. We must not allow the deception to rule over the lives of those who
still need to be rescued. God works with us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
have been saved, called, chosen, equipped, and sent to seek and to save the
lost and to raise up more team members and our replacements (Matthew 28:18-20).
God has given us angels and abilities to help us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
long as we are in this world of suffering, we will experience some suffering
along with those we are sent to rescue. We have been given special protection
and requested assistance. However, we cannot allow our temporary sufferings or
fear thereof to keep us from doing our job.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like a fireman running into a burning building</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> looking for those in
need. We do not claim the fireman’s life is worth less than the child or the
elderly they are seeking to save. <span style="color: red;">We understand the
hardships, but we also believe in the cause.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
ship is sinking, and we have an immovable life vest. The only reason to remain
aboard is to help others get into the lifeboats. We may experience some of the
temporary discomforts others suffer around us, like as did our Lord. But, it is
worth every effort to save the lost.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Romans 8:18<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I consider
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy <i>to be compared</i>
with the glory which shall be revealed in us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why
do we suffer? Because we live in a suffering world. A world headed for
destruction. We are on a collision course with death.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Peter 5 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But may the God of all
grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have
suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle <i>you</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">11<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Him <i>be</i> the glory
and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
Take Aways from today:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t expect to be treated better than Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Never allow your own pain to make you doubt or
quit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Find and train your replacement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Your victory is in your faith … trust God!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 John 5:4-5 – This is
the victory …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Be of good cheer!
(John 16:33)<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-298782390410146972024-02-10T20:54:00.000-06:002024-02-10T20:54:07.366-06:00Investment Opportunities<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/021124</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God has given you the power to create your passion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This
morning I want to lead you to discover or to re-discover your passion. It is
going to be a quick and easy process that promises to give you more energy and
an almost immediate return.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Sound
too good to be true? God often does. Let’s begin with:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Proverbs 26:20<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where <i>there is</i>
no wood, the fire goes out; And where <i>there is</i> no talebearer, strife
ceases.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Without
regard as to how much wood is used to start a fire, it will eventually go out
unless more wood is added.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A car
cannot run forever on only one tank of gasoline.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Every
battery carries a limited amount of energy and will become dead and useless,
unless re-charged by a higher source of power.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This
principle of stored energy is also true for humans. A body needs food and water
without which it weakens and loses its capacity to sustain life. According to
some figures, each year more than 18 million people die from starvation of the
body. However I fear even a greater number of people suffer from spiritual
starvation every day. The alarming difference between physical and spiritual
starvation is most often that of choice. People seldom die a physical death
from lack of food when food is plentiful and in ready supply. This is not so
when it comes to spiritual malnutrition.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Either
by ignorance, neglect or by outright choice, many live in a severely weakened
spiritual state, almost comatose, and with little or no ability to respond or
make any meaningful spiritual contributions to life. Perhaps you have known
someone who stopped recharging themselves spiritually, quit putting wood on the
fire of their spiritual passion, or allowed themselves to avoidably run out of
gas and are now looking for a place to pull over, or maybe they are sitting on
the roadside of God’s will for their life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A life with no spiritual investment will weaken and eventually lose
capacity for continued participation</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">. How does a person know when this is happening to
them, their spouse, children or church?</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We are designed to live life on stored energy which we cannot borrow from
the future</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">.
Without energy – we go nowhere in life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">There
are some indicators which we can use to gauge our current capacity and our
stored energy levels. Let’s discuss three of the top ten signs a person is
spiritually running out of gas. Then we will discover one simple fix. First,
let’s look at these energy level indicators. One indication you are running low:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It’s been a long while since you filled your tank.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Old gasoline turns into a
sticky varnish like substance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Stale bread dries out, becomes
tasteless, and molds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Un-replaced batteries tend to
corrode.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Even wood rots and crumbles
into dust after a while.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You’ve come a long, hard or fast way since you filled your tank.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> (Distance – Difficulty –
Speed, all 3 determine depletion rate)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The farther and the faster you
go, the more often you will need to fill up again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The demands on energy dictate
the consumption and the frequency with which we must recharge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Wood burns more rapidly on a
bigger fire. (But it also produces a greater heat which often meets greater
needs)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You are dangerously close to shutting down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;">Slowing down – <b>Are you looking for a place to pull
over.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;">Left with no reserve of energy to access – <b>Do you lack motivation<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: text1;">Growing colder by the moment – <b>Have you been losing vision..</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Don’t be fooled into thinking you are ok simply because things are
happening around you</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It
could be the other batteries in the pack providing the power you’re seeing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You
might be riding on someone else’s bus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Eating
from someone else’s table<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Or
warming by someone else’s fire</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This
can happen with your job, your career, marriage; family; friends; and even your
church involvement. This morning we are not asking how your job, your family,
or you church is doing … we are specifically discussing our personal spiritual
strength and the contribution we are making to God’s overall plan.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When
we take inventory today, let’s take inventory of our own lives and remember: <span style="color: red;">Taking an honest inventory is the first step</span>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Many
of you may already know that you are running on empty, but you simply don’t
have the energy, the motivation or the vision to do anything about it. Oh, you
might have energy, motivation or vision for some other things, but not for what
you know God has called you to … not like the energy, motivation and vision you
used to have.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Take
the person who has plenty of energy and motivation for things which they should
not be doing … it’s not that they lack passion – it’s rather they have
misplaced passion and misplaced potential. Remember, today we are focusing on
God’s will and how your life benefits His Kingdom plan.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Perhaps
you have never found, or cannot now find passion which you know you should have
but don’t have. It’s just not in your heart!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Jeremiah 17:9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The heart <i>is</i>
deceitful above all <i>things</i>, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Let me
clear something up for you … It can be a dangerous thing to follow your heart …
as a Believer in Jesus and the Bible, we embrace the responsibility to lead our
heart and we do this by making an investment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Have
you ever heard someone say: “I don’t want to, but I want to want to”? This is
often the testimony of someone who has let their fire go out. But there is good
news!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You can change your heart even when you don’t want to.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> You know the difference
between right and wrong. Don’t let the enemies of your life deceive you to
believe you don’t know what to do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You
don’t have to live life without energy, motivation, vision and passion for your
marriage, family or future, and especially concerning your personal
relationship with Jesus and His Bride, the Church.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What
can you do to invigorate or re-invigorate your life? It takes only one step and
you can take it today. What step? What can you do? How can you lead your heart,
obtain or regain energy, motivation, vision and passion?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Matthew 6:21<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On
February 11, 2011, I was traveling on the road and stopped to eat at a
restaurant. It was a Friday night and there was a talk show on the
television facing my table. The host, Jimmy Fallon, was interviewing the
actress Jennifer Anniston and it was her 42<sup>nd</sup> birthday. She had just
returned from Super Bowl 45 in Dallas which had been played on the previous
Sunday. It had been her first time to attend a pro ballgame. She decided to go
with friends but had no care and no connection to the process or the outcome.
She had always been indifferent to football other than thinking some of the
players were cute.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When
asked what she thought of the game now … she was pumped. (For those of you in
other parts of the world who aren’t familiar with the American slang, “Pumped”
– in this sense it means “really excited”, “full of energy”, “Passionate”!) At
any rate:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Her
body language on the show that night showed how excited she was about the game
and even though she still did not know the names of the players, (she referred
to Brett Favre as that guy who retired and came back to play again) …
nonetheless – she was pumped.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
reason she gave the drastic change stemmed from the pre-game advice she
received from her friend, Adam Sandler. She said that Adam had told her that in
order to enjoy the game she needed to place a bet on one of the teams – which
she did. She bet on the Packers while Sandler took the Steelers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Now
she didn’t know the players, had never followed or even seen a pro football
game, and really didn’t care anything about it … that is until she made an
investment. Then – all of the sudden –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>her passion came alive. She began to care and got involved in both the
process and the outcome.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How
did she go from not caring to caring? How did she go from low energy to high
energy? How did she go from cold to hot? What connected her to the game, its
process and the final outcome? – It was her investment! And BTW – the Packers
won over the Steelers 31 to 25. Some of you will see her again today in another
2024 Super Bowl commercial.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">(Some
of you might be having a hard time with me quoting Jennifer Anniston to prove
the point here in church today, but believe me when I tell you – the principles
of God’s Word are true and the work without regard as to who you are or where
you make your investments.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Your
heart follows your investments. Each investment will stir and strengthen your
passion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In
conclusion – I challenge you to do two things with me this morning:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Take inventory of your stored energy levels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How long has it been since you
were filled with passion for the purpose to which God has called you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How far, fast and difficult
has the journey been?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How close are you to shutting
down or just quitting? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Are you looking for a place to
pull over or stop?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Make an investment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Stir your heart and begin a renewed
adventure today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God has given you the power to
create passion and energy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Re-Fuel yourself for
the journey ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God has given you the greatest
investment opportunity known to man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Invest in the will of God for
your life … everything else will follow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It will
need to be an investment of something you really care about. Money – time –
attention … … what are you protecting, what are you holding back on God … give
God your best and He will do the rest!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Make an investment in the
things you value most</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Your
life won’t change without you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-33793748815934370602024-02-07T13:44:00.001-06:002024-02-07T13:44:44.196-06:00A Study of the Miraculous Part 6 Blessings Belong to God<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ws020724</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
does a person do when they have done all they can, and it’s just not enough?
What do you do when hard work, good advice, right living didn’t fix it? How can
we change the inevitable?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mark 10:27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus looked
at them and said, “With men <i>it is</i> impossible, but not with God; for with
God all things are possible.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2
Kings 4 contains the account of a woman with a desperate need. There was
nothing more she could do. She and her family were in a difficult situation,
and it wasn’t her fault. She never expected to be in such need. Things had gone
downhill quickly. Good people in a bad place.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 4 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the
wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my
husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the
creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Elisha said to her,
“What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she
said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Go, borrow
vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do
not gather just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And when you have come in,
you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those
vessels, and set aside the full ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she went from him and
shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought <i>the vessels</i> to her;
and she poured <i>it</i> out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it came to pass, when
the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And
he said to her, “<i>There is</i> not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she came and told the
man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you <i>and</i>
your sons live on the rest.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some
of the principles we have reviewed so far include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God will never ask us to do what we cannot do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prescriptions from God are like recipes for success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t let anyone talk you out of a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Full vessels limit God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
evening we will review the fact that:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What we do with the little we have is what we will do with more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
truth is confirmed by Jesus as recorded in:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke 16 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He who <i>is</i> faithful
in <i>what is</i> least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in <i>what
is</i> least is unjust also in much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">11<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Therefore if you have not
been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true
<i>riches</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And if you have not been
faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No servant can serve two
masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be
loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">14<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the Pharisees, who
were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He said to them, “You
are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For
what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Pharisees were lovers of money, not lovers of God. They justified themselves
before men but were actually an abomination in the sight of God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
woman we have been studying in 2 Kings 4 was just the opposite. She showed her
dependence on God when she had nothing as well as when she had abundance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
verse 1 she went to ask the prophet what to do when she only had<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Katie%20Anderson" datetime="2024-02-07T18:00"> </ins></span>a
little jar of oil. In verse 7 she went back to the prophet to ask what to do
when she had a house full of oil. She knew she was no better off rich than she
was poor if she wasn’t pleasing God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She
still needed God. You think a little jar of oil can be troublesome … think of
how much trouble a whole house full of oil could cause you!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Moses
cautioned the children of Israel to not forget God once they received their
miracle. (Deuteronomy 6:12) <span style="color: red;">Don’t forget God!</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
more we have, the closer we need to be to God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is clear from this account that God intended for the woman and her sons to
enjoy life. The priority for God is always to set us free and bless us with
abundance. Each account from Joseph, the son of Jacob, and his time in Egypt, young
David hiding from Saul, to the jailer in Philippi, God sets the captives free
and blesses them beyond their need.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
prophet Elisha told the woman: “Pay your debt” first, and then “you and your
sons live on the rest.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What you do with what you have shows who you are and what you
believe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
do you need God to do for you? Ask Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">How
can you participate with God? Do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
the miracle happens, put it back into God’s hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t
allow God’s blessings to make you forget God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Blessings
belong to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-88069048320637578892024-02-03T18:17:00.000-06:002024-02-03T18:17:33.320-06:00What We Know<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ss020424</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John 13:23<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now there was
leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scholars
widely agree that John was humbly referring to himself in this passage, as the
disciple whom Jesus loved. We believe John wrote this account under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit while reflecting back on the event which had
taken place in his life perhaps 70 years earlier.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
a young man, the Apostle John presented himself as ambitious, intolerant, and a
bit vindictive, (Mark 10:35-37; Mark 9:38; Luke 9:54 respectively). Spending
time with Jesus must have changed all of that. We know John was much older he
wrote this, but we also know:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Life does not always change people for the better, but time with
Jesus will.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Many
imagine John’s mother to be the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Based on
that belief, John and Jesus were cousins. This would help to explain several
other occurrences mentioned in the Gospels.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">At
any rate, it is accepted that the last living Apostle of the Lamb, the Apostle
John, was in his mid to late 90’s when he wrote the letter we know as First
John. Given this, John walked with Jesus for 3 ½ years during the earthly life
and ministry of Christ, and then followed Christ for another 7 decades after
the cross. Through these years John learned the lessons of love and proved the
value of his personal decision to follow Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
lifetime removed from that young Galilean boy who was cleaning the nets with
his father, John had become a fisher of men. This is the elder Apostle who writes
to us in hopes it will change our lives. Listen to this everlasting truth while
we consider <b>What We Know</b>. Humble John writes:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 John 5 NLT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All who believe in the
Son of God <b>know</b> in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who
don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe
what God has testified about his Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">11<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is what God has
testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever has the Son has
life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have written this to you
who believe in the name of the Son of God, <b>so that you may know</b> you have
eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">14 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are confident
that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And since <b>we know</b>
he hears us when we make our requests, <b>we also know</b> that he will give us
what we ask for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">16<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you see a Christian
brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should
pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to
death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All wicked actions are
sin, but not every sin leads to death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">18 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>We know</b> that
God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them
securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>We know</b> that we are
children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil
one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">20<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>And we know</b> that
the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding <b>so that we can
know</b> the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because
we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and
he is eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">21<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dear children, keep away
from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Since
we know what we know, keep away from those things that might take God’s place
in your heart.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
are some things that want to take God’s place in our lives?</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
been almost 4 decades ago since I first came across this passage and asked
myself that same question. How can I identify those things that want to take
God’s place in my life? After much prayer, counsel, and consideration of the
scriptures, I concluded God had given mankind richly all things to enjoy (1
Timothy 6:17). It has never been what we have that takes the place of God in
our lives, but rather what has us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is not about what you have, but what has you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here
are the 5 categories of blessings God has given us to enjoy and not to worship.
When any one of these comes before God, our lives are out of order, and we are
headed for disappointment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God is love but love
is not God. (1 John 4:8)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We are admonished to
not love the world. (1 John 2:15)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Samson (Judges 16:4)
fell in love with Delilah. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The love of money is
the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Misplaced love is a
recipe for disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sex<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first commandment
God gave to Adam and Eve was “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:28)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He knew what He was
saying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sex outside of the
covenant of marriage is sin. (1Cor 6:9)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A person is not having
sex, sex has them. (2Pet 2:14)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sex is the way a
person can talk, look, touch, or think about another person to whom they are
married. Without that God blessed covenant – it is sin. (Exodus 20:14)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Again – they are not
having sex … sex has them!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is a sure recipe
for disappointment. (Proverbs 5)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Money<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Money is neither good
or bad … it’s how you use it or how it uses you. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God wants you to have
money. However, He does not want money to have you. (Mark 10:24)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus said you will
serve one of two masters. (Matthew 6:24)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Money<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Serving money will be
a recipe for disappointment. (1Tim 6:10)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Power<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God gives us power over
serpents and scorpions … not over people. (Luke 10:19 & Ephesians 6:12)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God expects us to use
our power to serve people, not to become their lords. (1 Peter 5:3)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you want to be
great, you must become the servant of all. (Mark 9:35 & Mark 10:44) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The devil promised
Jesus power over the whole world if Jesus would only worship him. (Luke 4:6-7)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s no different
today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you have power … it
comes from another source, and it must be used to benefit that source’s desire.
(John 8:44)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The source of your
power owns and controls you. (Romans 6)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Getting hooked up to
the wrong power source is a recipe for disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Position<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus said the pride
of life is an enemy of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pride of
(Greek) – ‘bios’ = livelihood, i.e.: biography</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One should never be
trusted to write their own autobiography. (lol) (Proverbs 25:27)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Many times these works
would be more correctly categorized as a <span style="color: red;">“Lie-ography”</span>.
(Acts 5:1-11 & Pro 25:14)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lying to get a job is
wrong. (2 Corinthians 11:13)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Protecting your
position with man instead of your relationship with Jesus is a recipe for
disappointment. (Jeremiah 2:8)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
loved John and time with Jesus changed John’s life. John wrote in his old age
to encourage us to embrace that same life change he experienced.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 John 5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All who believe in the Son
of God <b>know</b> in their hearts that this testimony is true …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>We know</b> that we are
children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil
one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">20<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>And we know</b> that
the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding <b>so that we can
know</b> the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because
we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and
he is eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">21<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dear children, keep away
from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Time
with Jesus! Do you know Him today? If not, why not? Let’s pray …<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-17918649890373304752024-01-31T11:49:00.000-06:002024-01-31T11:49:16.587-06:00A Study of the Miraculous Part 5 Limiting God<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> ws/013124</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Psalms 78:41<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, again and
again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
focus of this series is the fact that a woman in dire need received a miracle
from God. A miracle is anything that cannot be explained or obtained by natural
means. The Bible talks about signs and wonders. A sign is something we see that
points to God and a wonder is anything that makes you wonder how it happened.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
woman we are reading about in 2 Kings 4 received a miracle which ended up being
much more than she asked for and even more than she needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miracles begin with a need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Men
cannot perform miracles, only God can do miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
often meets a need or gives a blessing beyond human comprehension. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">These
divine interventions are called signs, wonders, and miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Unbelievers
try to explain miracles away with foolish nonsense, but Believers know the
signs that point directly to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Every
good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father above. (James 1:17)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
woman in 2 Kings 4 received a miracle because she took her need to God and did
what He said through the prophet Elisha. If she had not been willing to trust
the Word of the Lord and do what He said, she would not have received her
miracle. People aren’t often aware just how much they limit God working in and
through their lives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
wants to be involved in your life. He is a loving Father who wants to hear your
need. Jesus said, “ask and receive that your joy might be full.” (John 16:24)
James encourages us to ask in faith, knowing God wants to be included in our
daily lives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
are a few things which limit God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of
course the big one is sin. <span style="color: red;">Jeremiah 5:25<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Your iniquities have turned these <i>things</i>
away, And your sins have withheld good from you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sin limits God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All
that God could do and would do can be limited by sin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 13:58<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now He did not do many
mighty works there because of their unbelief. (<b>Mark 6:5</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Unbelief limits God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 13 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">18<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took <i>them</i>.
And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three
times, and stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the man of God was angry with him, and
said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck
Syria till you had destroyed <i>it</i>! But now you will strike Syria <i>only</i>
three times.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vision limits God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke 18<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">22<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now when Jesus heard these things, he said
unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute
unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">23<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he heard this, he was very
sorrowful: for he was very rich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Refusing to follow directions limits God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 22:14<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“For many are called,
but few <i>are</i> chosen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Being unprepared limits God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
woman in 2 Kings 4 was not in sin; she believed the word of God spoken to her
by the prophet; she followed the directions she was given, step by step; she
also worked hard and was prepared.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
one thing she could have done better was to have a bigger vision. To see God
able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all she could think or ask. (<span style="color: red;">Ephesians 3:20</span>) Not only able, but willing! <span style="color: red;">“According to the power that is at work in us.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 4 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the
wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my
husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the
creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Elisha said to her,
“What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she
said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Go, borrow
vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do
not gather just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And when you have come in,
you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those
vessels, and set aside the full ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she went from him and
shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she
poured it out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it came to pass, when
the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And
he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">So,
the oil ceased.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why
did the oil stop? Because all the vessels were full. <span style="color: red;">Full
vessels limit God.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
heard a story once about a preacher who read the account of the Good Samaritan
each Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night for 6 weeks in a row.
The passage is about being a good neighbor. He didn’t preach but only read Luke
10:30-37 and then dismissed the congregation. Verse 37 concludes with Jesus
saying, “Go thou and do likewise.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After
6 weeks the deacons got together and called the pastor aside for a meeting.
They told him that the congregation was wanting to hear more of the Bible than
just one passage. The preacher assured the deacons that just as soon as they
and the congregation learned this lesson, he would move on to the next one.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
secret to continuing your miracle is to keep pouring out and to never sit down
full and in need of nothing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
dictated the Book of Revelation to John. In the opening chapters John records
Jesus speaking to the Churches. The last Church to be addressed was the Church
of Laodicea. Many scholars believe this is a specific message to the last days
Church … the Church in our day. Listen to what the Church says and how Jesus
replies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revelation 3 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because you say, ‘I am
rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not
know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">19<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s
not get so full or feel so full that we imagine we have need of nothing. Apathy
is an attitude the Believer cannot afford. If you are blessed, you are blessed
because of the Lord. Be thankful and remain zealous for the things of God</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
we lose our hunger for the work to which God called us, we have become too
comfortable. Like the young rich ruler who went away sorrowful because he was
doing ok. He failed to recognize why he had been so blessed. He was blessed to
be a blessing, not to be a ruler, but to be a servant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If
you have lost your zeal for the lost or for the work of the Lord, consider
yourself rebuked and repent. Pour yourself out and you won’t feel so full.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">How
can you pour yourself out?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Work,
service, giving, loving, helping, feeding, visiting, praying, being a good
neighbor, witnessing, bringing others to Church. When you stop lifting an empty
vessel to God, the miracle you have had will stop.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t
limit the Holy One of Israel … Don’t stop!<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-13192019066380339402024-01-27T18:41:00.001-06:002024-01-27T20:52:33.141-06:00Dust and Ashes<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ss012824</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One
day when Abraham was 99 years old, he was sitting in the door of his tent near
Hebron, it was the hottest part of the afternoon. Abraham saw what appeared to
be three men approaching. He got up, went out to meet them and invited them to
turn aside and refresh themselves. Later he realized one of the men was the
Lord and the other two were angels.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
were on their way to the city of Sodom. The Lord wanted to see for Himself if
the city was as wicked and evil as it appeared. If so, He planned to destroy
the city and its inhabitants. When the Lord informed Abraham of His intent,
Abraham began to question the Lord.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 18 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">23 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Abraham came near
and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">24<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Suppose there were fifty
righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it
for the fifty righteous that were in it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">25<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Far be it from You to do
such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the
righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of
all the earth do right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">26<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the LORD said, “If I
find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place
for their sakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Abraham answered and
said, “Indeed now, I who am <b>but dust and ashes</b> have taken it upon myself
to speak to the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">28<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Suppose there were five
less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of
five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">29<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he spoke to Him yet
again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I
will not do it for the sake of forty.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">30<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Let not the
Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He
said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">31<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said, “Indeed now,
I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be
found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">32<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Let not the
Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found
there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
want to encourage you to read the whole account in Genesis 18 & 19.
However, because we are but dust and ashes and have a limited amount of time,
allow me to clef note you on the rest of the story.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
two angels went on ahead and entered the city of Sodom near sundown. As fortune
would have it, Abraham’s nephew Lot, who lived in Sodom with his wife and 2
daughters, happened to meet the angels at the gate and invited them to lodge with
him for the evening.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Through
a series of events the angels witnessed just how wicked the men of the city of
Sodom were and if they had not stepped in and blinded the mob, no telling what
would have happened. It reads so much better than I can tell it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
end of this story for our purposes today concludes with the angels finding only
one righteous man. <span style="color: red;">There were not 10 righteous in the
city, there was only one!</span> So the angels, who looked like men, were
determined to save Lot from the destruction which the city and its inhabitants
well deserved. They also gave Lot instructions, time, and the opportunity to
invite his family and their friends to be saved as well.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lot
warned those he cared for but was unsuccessful in convincing them. The next
morning, just as the sun was rising, Lot was lingering …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 19:16<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while he
lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his
two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set
him outside the city.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
told Lot to take his family to a certain place and said:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 19:</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">22<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hurry, escape there. For
I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
soon as Lot and his family were safely inside the protected city …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genesis 19<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">24 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the LORD rained
brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">25<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So He overthrew those
cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the
ground.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
was so special about Abraham that Abraham could barter with God?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Abraham
had a covenant with God. Covenant is powerful. This gave Abraham audience with
God and God respected Abraham’s requests.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like
most every other accounts in the Bible, <span style="color: red;">This account is
a picture of a future spiritual event</span>. Specifically the destruction of
this wicked world in which we live. In the current unfolding story of the world
and the impending judgment of God, which is already on His calendar, Jesus is
Abraham, we are Lot, and the world is Sodom and Gomorrah.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
has a covenant with Jesus. It is not a covenant sealed by the blood of bulls
and goats but rather a covenant sealed by the blood of Christ.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
are but dust and ashes in God’s sight however, we have been invited and
included in the great salvation. Noah invited his family, friends and
neighbors; Lot invited his family and others as well; and so can you. We have
been instructed by Jesus to go into the highways and byways and encourage
others to come and be saved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Since
God agreed to not destroy the city of Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people
living in the city, how many righteous people do you think it would take for
Him to not destroy the world? I have the answer and it is one of the plain
truths we learn from the story we have heard this morning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
fact, just like Abraham said: <span style="color: red;">“Far be it from You,
Lord, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as
the wicked.” </span>“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
will not destroy the righteous with the wicked … not even one!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
did not allow even one person who was right with Him to die in the flood of
Noah’s day. Neither did God leave even one righteous person to die with the
wicked when He judged the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
<span style="color: red;">God will not judge the earth until every single one of
His children are safe and secure in heaven.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
believe the account of Lot and his family being saved and taken out of the city
of Sodom by angels on assignment is a picture of the imminent return of Jesus
and the coming <span style="color: red;">Rapture of the Church</span>. We who
have heard from the Lord have been given time and opportunity, like Noah and
Lot, to invite others to be saved before God unleashes His wrath upon this
world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Judgment
day is coming but God will not allow even one of His children to suffer His
wrath. I believe Abraham could have bargained with God to not allow even one
righteous person to be destroyed with the wicked. But he didn’t really need to.
This was God’s intent all along.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Abraham didn’t ask God for anything God wasn’t already planning to
do</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">. This
is why it is so easy for God to say yes to your prayers. If you’re right with
God, He is the One who put those desires in your heart.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
is on your heart today? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Are
you right with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Righteousness is what
you are given when you get saved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is a gift from God
… A gift of grace, not works.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Are you born again?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is
there anyone else you want to invite?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pray for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asked God to show you
the best time and the opportunity to invite them to Jesus, to Church, and to
heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And even though we are
but dust and ashes, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2
Corinthians 5:21)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Expect a miracle! The
effectual fervent prayers … (James 5:16)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
is the One who has put these desires in your heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You are only asking Him
to do what He has already planned to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-3353857637473549362024-01-27T11:00:00.001-06:002024-01-28T06:51:40.373-06:00 PREPARED FOR BATTLE: THE ARMOR OF GOD Part VIII: All Prayer<p><span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Review</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Paul was writing to people in Ephesus who knew a thing or two about armor (training facility; Paul chained to a Roman guard)</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is a spiritual battle happening around us</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Therefore we must be prepared for battle</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We do this by putting on the whole armor of God</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The armor of God allows us to stand firm against the attack of the devil</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We cannot wait until the battle commences before we arm ourselves</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our battle is not against people, but against demonic forces at work</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must put on the </span></span><span class="s9" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">whole</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> armor of God to resist the enemy</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s trap</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Belt of truth</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Truth is absolute and it does not change. The devil wants to change what you believe to be true. Therefore we must know the truth so that we can be free from deception. We must engage, confess, and stand on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word so that we can know the truth and believe it.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Breastplate of Righteousness</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Righteousness is the standard in which we please God. It is living rightly. Righteousness is meant to protect our heart from allowing the devil access into our life. Sin opens the door for the enemy to have a legal right into our life. Only true righteousness will guard us from the enemy. We received the righteousness of Christ at salvation, however we have a part to play as well. We must also walk out righteousness in our own life.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shoes of the Gospel of Peace</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Peace is calmness of soul in the midst of difficult circumstances. Through Christ, there is a peace available that despite our circumstances, we can be free stress and worry. This peace is found in the Gospel. Because we have peace with God, we have access to the peace of God. If we want to receive this peace then we have to go to the God of peace to claim it.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shield of Faith</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Faith is our main line of defense against the attack of the enemy. If he wants to get through to you then he must get through your faith. Faith is not based on our feelings or what we see happening around us. Faith is simply acting on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word. </span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If we know what God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word says about a matter, then we can act on it. If we continually act on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word, then we are walking by faith. Our faith walk is not meant to be done alone. Link your faith up with others so that your faith can be strengthened in your time of need and strengthen others as well.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Helmet of Salvation</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> While our spirit is saved when we receive Christ, our mind is not. Therefore, we must put on salvation like a helmet so that our minds can be saved. The devil wants to attack our thinking. If he can control our thinking then he can control our life. Therefore our minds must be transformed through the Word of God. Without renewing our mind in the Word, we can only expect to conform to the world around us and be controlled by the devil. We must allow our minds to be saved and sanctified through the Word of God.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Sword of the Spirit</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> The Word of God is the one offensive weapon in our spiritual armor. The Word of God is living and active and ready to be used. It has God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s authority to accomplish what it was sent out to do. When the enemy attacks our life, we must declare the Word of God over our situation and over our lives. In the name of Jesus, we can command the devil to flee and He has to live under the authority of Christ. Let us read the Word, meditate on the Word, and declare it over our life.</span></span></div><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That brings us to the final piece of the armor. Actually, this last item is not listed as an official piece of the armor. However, it is listed as the final piece to a puzzle. So, what is it?</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 6:18 - </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">P</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">raying</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">at all times</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in the Spirit,</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">with all prayer and supplication. To that end,</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">keep alert with all perseverance, making</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">supplication for all the saints</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">."</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Along with equipping themselves with armor and being well trained with their weapon, communication was just as important </span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">to the Roman soldier </span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">when it came to their success in battle. Overall, communication was one of the biggest reasons for the success of the Roman military. The commanders primarily would communicate the plan before the battle. However, there were times a commander needed to get a message to their officers during battle. In doing so, they would use an assortment of methods like a bonfire system, flag system, a torch system, etc. Whichever method they used, they made sure to get the message to the their commanding officers. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As Christians, communication is just as important to us as it was to those Roman soldiers. We too must stay in communication with our commander as we well. We do so through prayer. Prayer is vitally important in a spiritual battle against a spiritual enemy. Without prayer, we lose the strength necessary to stand strong against the attacks of the enemy. Prayer allows us to tap into the power of the Spirit for our life. We are weak in a spiritual battle; therefore we need spiritual power! That power comes from God and is accessed through prayer. In order to stand strong against the enemy, we must be on our knees in prayer. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In order to stand strong against the attack of the evil one, Paul says to equip ourselves with the armor of God. Along with putting on the armor, he charges us to pray. Now we can easily read over this and miss what Paul is saying here. He says that in order to stand firm against the devil and his demonic forces, we must 1.) put on the armor of God, and 2.) pray. We have to have the armor, but we also have to have prayer. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So why pray? </span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">1. </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God says so</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Philippians 4:6 - </span></span><span class="s16" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Don</span></span><span class="s16" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Colossians 4:2 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1 Thessalonians 5:17 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray without ceasing</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jeremiah 33:3 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Call to me and I will answer you</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jeremiah 29:12 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Romans 12:12 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">2. </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Spiritual strength for a spiritual battle</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians begins by informing us that our blessings our found in the spiritual realm. It ends by reminding us that we have an enemy in the spiritual realm. The enemy is launching attacks on our life every single day. Why? Because we are in a spiritual battle. In order to be prepared for this battle, we must equip ourselves with spiritual armor AND spiritual strength. That spiritual strength comes from God. Prayer requires us to be reliant and dependent on Him. </span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">3. </span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus prayed</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Mar</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">k</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> 1:35 - </span></span><span class="s16" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Matthew 14:23 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Mark 6:46 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Luke 5:16 - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So how should we pray?</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">At All Times</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Kairos = Measure of time; fixed time; opportune time; the right time.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Paul says to pray at all times. That means, when things are difficult, pray. When things are good, pray. When times are easy, pray. When times are hard, pray. When you are in public, pray. When you are in private, pray. When you are at church, pray.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">No matter what time we find ourselves in, it is a good time to call on the name of the Lord.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All-Prayer</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Worship - Praising God for who He is</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Thanksgiving - Giving thanks to God</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Confession - Confess our sins to God for forgiveness</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Supplication - Praying for yourself; Making your requests known to God</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Intercession - Praying for others in need</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Prophecy</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - </span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Declare the truth</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All Perseverance</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are times when we need to persevere through prayer. That is to keep praying and not giving up. Let us not be deceived into believing that we</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> don</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t need to pray; that we</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> can do it on our own. No! Pray and keep praying because we need God! </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Perseverance is one of the most valuable attributes we can develop in life. However, many times it is only developed in our own personal work ethic. It is good to have, however, there is another level of perseverance that is available for us to develop. It is the ability to persevere in waiting on the Lord. To keep doing what we are doing, to keep praying as we wait on God to come through. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We are taught to not rely on someone else. However, God is not just someone else. We can wait on God. We can trust in Him. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All the Saints</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As we pray for ourselves, let us remember to pray for other believers as well. While God does see you individually, He also sees you as a part of the body of Christ. Let us not get stuck in our own world, but let us consider what God wants us to pray for as well. Let us pray for those who are in need.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In battle, a Roman soldier who only looked out for himself was not fit to be a part of the military. He was not fighting for himself, he was fighting for his brothers. He was fighting for his nation.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In the Spirit</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pneuma = God</span></span><span class="s19" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s power; influence of the spirit</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Romans 8:26 - </span></span><span class="s16" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.</span></span><span class="s15" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">*Praying under the influence</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Matthew 26:41. - </span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let us have an attitude of prayer. One whose meditation of the heart is pleasing to the Lord. (Psalm 19:14)</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is important to remember that we are called to </span></span><span class="s9" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">live</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in the spirit. We are called to:</span></span></p><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Walk in the spirit</span></span></div><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Worship in spirit</span></span></div><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Kill the flesh in the spirit</span></span></div><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Give thanks in the spirit</span></span></div><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Restore the wayward brother in the spirit</span></span></div><div class="s21" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; text-indent: -28px;"><span class="s20" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">⁃ </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Etc. </span></span></div><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Therefore, we are called to live out our Christian life </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in the spirit</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. If we are living in the spirit, then we will be praying in the spirit. We will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray. It is allowing Him to guide our prayer life. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to pray:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">At all times</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">With all prayer</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">With all perseverance</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For all the saints</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In the Spirit</span></span></div><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In other words, God wants us to develop a prayer life. God</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s desire is to grow our prayer life. We need God and God needs more people praying.</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Takeaways</span></span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">4. </span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Realize that you need God</span></span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You are in a spiritual battle. You need spiritual strength.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Don</span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t believe the lie that you don</span></span><span class="s18" style="background-color: white; direction: rtl; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t need to pray.</span></span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">5. </span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Go to God in prayer</span></span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is nothing you can do about yesterday. But y</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ou can begin today.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s23" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray at all times</span></span></div><div class="s23" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray in all forms</span></span></div><div class="s23" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Don</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t give up</span></span></div><div class="s23" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 39px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s14" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray for others in need</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s13" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 19px; text-indent: -19px;"><span class="s11" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">6. </span><span class="s10" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus prayed</span></span><span class="s12" style="background-color: white; color: #ee220c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in prayer.</span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.</span></span></div>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-53974043299758886162024-01-24T11:35:00.000-06:002024-01-24T11:35:23.885-06:00A Study of the Miraculous Part 4 Shut the Door<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ws012424</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t let anyone or anything talk you out of a miracle.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> It happens more often
than not.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
not sure why people listen to people more than they listen to God sometimes. I
suppose it is hard enough to believe in miracles even with that inner witness
that comes from the Holy Spirit, and even harder when we don’t have it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Gospel of Matthew (14:28-29) records the miracle of Peter walking on water.
There were 12 disciples in the boat that day but only one walked on the water.
Which one? The one who prayed for a miracle and heard the answer, and followed
the instructions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However,
(v.30), Peter didn’t shut the door on all the other voices. He let the wind
speak to him; he let the waves speak to him; he allowed fear to speak to him;
and so he began to sink right in the middle of his miracle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Faith doesn’t make things easy, faith makes things possible.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Peter
beginning to sink was not the end of the story. When he cried out to Jesus, the
Maker of the miracle, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">More
than once in the life of King David, he had to shut the door on the voices of
both his enemies and his friends who did not believe God was going to help him.
Once at the city of Jebus, which is now Jerusalem. The enemies said that even
the lame and the blind would be able to stop him from taking the city. The next
verse says:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Samuel 5:7<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless
David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another
time it was David’s friends, the men in his army. He tried to tell them God
would help them, and they responded by saying they were going to stone him.
What did David do to shut these voices out of his head and continue his pursuit
of the miracle he knew God would give him?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 Samuel 6c<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David encouraged
himself in the Lord. And David asked God for a miracle so he could recover his
family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
told David – (v.8) – <span style="color: red;">“Pursue, for you shall surely
overtake them and without fail recover all.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">David
had to shut the door on the issue and not allow his friends or his enemies to
talk him out of it, which they attempted to do. In fact the odds got worse, but
David refused to reconsider. If God was for him, who could be against him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is important to understand that not everyone has heard the voice or the
instructions you have heard. And, you haven’t heard what they have heard. Unless
it violates the Word, the Will, or the Way of God, give your wisest counsel but
don’t try to discourage someone when they believe they have heard from God. It
might not make any sense to you but if it’s not sin, it may be God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like
I said: Give your wisest and most godly counsel but don’t try to become someone
else’s Holy Ghost. And, don’t let anyone or anything else talk you out of
pursuing your miracle from God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
miracle you seek may be the same miracle the woman of 2 Kings 4 was needing.
She needed to see the salvation and the deliverance of her children. Now here
is a miracle worth our prayer and our obedience.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s
read: (And remember – God is thinking bigger than we are thinking.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 4 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the
wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my
husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the
creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Elisha said to her,
“What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she
said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Go, borrow
vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do
not gather just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And when you have come in,
you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those
vessels, and set aside the full ones.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miracles
throughout the Bible generally follow the same path. The prescription usually
goes like this:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Someone
wants or needs something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
petition God, usually in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
gives them steps to take in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Based on something
they can do with effort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Usually involving
something they have in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
they do what God says, they get what God promised.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elisha
gave this woman in 2 Kings 4 specific steps to follow:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Go borrow
vessels from everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Empty vessels<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Not just a few<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Go into your
house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shut the
door behind you and your sons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pour the oil
into all the empty vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Set the full
ones aside.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
evening I want to encourage you to shut the door to the outside world that does
not believe in miracles.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Proverbs 4:23<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guard your
heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reach
to God for a miracle. <b>There is bound to be something you want that only He
can do. Ask Him for the miracle</b>. He will answer. (Write it down and write
the answer) - Trust Him and obey Him. Shut the door, and don’t allow anyone or
anything to talk you out of your miracle. <o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-58077756794233546832024-01-20T16:18:00.000-06:002024-01-20T16:18:40.617-06:00Grace for Grace<p> <span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">Gtcotr/ss012124</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Grace is the un</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">deserved</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> gift of God.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you were in our first service last week, </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">perhaps you</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">heard Pastor Marques say that:</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Justice is getting what we deserve.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Mercy is not getting what we deserve.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Grace is getting what we do not deserve.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are good people and there are bad people in this world, but there are no perfect people. Both good people and bad people are lost people who need to be saved. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Just like the good man named Nicodemus who came to Jesus in John 3. Jesus told him, </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“You must be born again!”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Men may judge you and friends may forgive you, but only Jesus can save your soul. No one else can give you eternal life but Jesus. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We are saved by grace.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 2 </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it is</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the gift of God,</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If I have committed a crime, justice demands a judge sentence me appropriately. This would be just.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If I have committed a crime against another person, the</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> person I have injured</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> might be merciful to me and not press charges. The judge may let me go and not give me what I deserve.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> That’s mercy.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If I commit a crime worthy of </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">death</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and the judge’s son pleads with his father to offer his own innocent life in exchange for mine and furthermore gains his father’s agreement to adopt me and teach me how to be better man </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> one day inherit </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">everything originally intended for the son … that is an act of love we call grace.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">John 1:</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">17 For the law was given through Moses, <i>but grace</i></span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and truth came through Jesus Christ.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This is what John the Baptist saw when he said:</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">John 1:</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let’s get everything God intended for us to get out of this verse.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">First: John saw Jesus coming toward him. Two things here:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The original language used here indicates that Jesus was coming not only in John’s direction but also for John’s advantage.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Interpreting the scriptures, as we always should, in light of what this means for us today</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … simply put:</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus is always coming towards us for our benefit.</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Can you see Jesus coming towards you?</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you cannot imagine Jesus coming towards you, to give you something you don’t deserve, you don’t know Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">John the Baptist said about Jesus. </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Once </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">again</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the original language gives us great insight into what John mean</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> when he made this declaration. For example:</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“who takes away the sin”</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">takes away = to remove from another, bear, and carry off.</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The verb form is often called a “historical present</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.”</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This is where w</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">e witness something that has </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">already </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">been done as though we are </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">there</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and it is presently being done.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">John was declaring the grace</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> of God</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. Jesus has taken away the sin of the world</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> John’s sin, my sin, </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">your sin, </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and the sin of those who have not even been born yet. We have been forgiven and offered eternal life through the mercy and by the grace of God. This grace is a gift we</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> do not deserve</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Perhaps you</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> have already received this gift. If so, we who</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> are born-again</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> should be ever grateful for the grace of God. We </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">have been</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> saved, we are being saved, and one day we will be saved. </span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God is working on us.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God is working for us.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God is working through us.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Maybe</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> you</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> have not yet imagined Jesus coming towards you to take your place and give you His. </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Perhaps</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> you</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> fear the justice of God, </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">or</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> even hope for the mercy of God, but you have not believed in the grace of God.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You can receive this gift </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">of</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> faith</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> right now</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. You </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">can</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> be saved by</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> grace </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">of God </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">through </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">faith</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> is willing to </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">supply.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He will give you the faith you do not deserve, have not worked for, and cannot otherwise obtain.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We have grace for grace. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">will make</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> you able to accept His Son by faith. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You have the grace to believe. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Will you simply invite Jesus into your heart today. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The world is filled with good people and bad people, both are lost</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and both need to be saved. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you have never personally invited Jesus Christ into your heart, do it now. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Be saved </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and be thankful </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">today!</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let’s pray.</span></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-23165176831109074282024-01-20T10:00:00.002-06:002024-01-21T10:05:31.268-06:00PREPARED FOR BATTLE: THE ARMOR OF GOD Part VII: The Sword of the Spirit<p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Review</span></span></p><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Paul was writing to people in Ephesus who knew a thing or two about armor (training facility; Paul chained to a Roman guard)</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is a spiritual battle happening around us</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Therefore we must be prepared for battle</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We do this by putting on the whole armor of God</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The armor of God allows us to stand firm against the attack of the devil</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We cannot wait until the battle commences before we arm ourselves</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our battle is not against people, but against demonic forces at work</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must put on the </span></span><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">whole</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> armor of God to resist the enemy</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s trap</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Belt of truth</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Truth is absolute and it does not change. The devil wants to change what you believe to be true. Therefore we must know the truth so that we can be free from deception. We must engage, confess, and stand on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word so that we can know the truth and believe it.</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Breastplate of Righteousness</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Righteousness is the standard in which we please God. It is living rightly. Righteousness is meant to protect our heart from allowing the devil access into our life. Sin opens the door for the enemy to have a legal right into our life. Only true righteousness will guard us from the enemy. We received the righteousness of Christ at salvation. However, we have a part to play as well. We must also walk out righteousness in our own life.</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shoes of the Gospel of Peace</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Peace is calmness of soul in the midst of difficult circumstances. Through Christ, there is a peace available that despite our circumstances, we can be free of stress and worry. This peace is found in the Gospel. Because we have peace with God, we have access to the peace of God. If we want to receive this peace then we have to go to the God of peace to claim it.</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shield of Faith</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Faith is our main line of defense against the attack of the enemy. If he wants to get through to you then he must get through your faith. Faith is not based on our feelings or what we see happening around us. </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Faith is simply acting on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word. </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If we know what God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word says about a matter, then we can act on it. If we continually act on God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word, then we are walking by faith. Our faith walk is not meant to be done alone. Link your faith up with others so that your faith can be strengthened in your time of need and strengthen others as well.</span></span></div><div class="s9" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Helmet of Salvation</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> While our spirit is saved when we receive Christ, our mind is not. Therefore, we must put on salvation like a helmet so that our minds can be saved. The devil wants to attack our thinking. If he can control our thinking, then he can control our life. Therefore, our minds must be transformed through the Word of God. Without renewing our mind in the Word, we can only expect to conform to the world around us and be controlled by the devil. We must allow our minds to be saved and sanctified through the Word of God.</span></span></div><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That brings us to the Sword of the Spirit</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 6:17 - </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">T</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ake</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">… </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Sword in a Roman soldier</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s armor (Dagger)</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">A Roman soldier carried a very dangerous sword with them called the </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">M</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">achaira</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> also known as the </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Gladius.</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This sword was much more like a dagger than it was a typical sword. It was a two-edged dagger used to cause damage at close range while also being able to stop an enemy</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s attack. It was difficult to approach a Roman soldier who was well trained with his sword. His expertise with his sword enabled him to be prepared for any attack at close-range that would come his way. Of course, a soldier must be well trained with his sword. They spent a lot of time in practice so that they would be equipped and effective in the day of battle. </span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Sword, a part of the Christian</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s armor</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As Christians, we too have a sword that we must take up, that is the Word of God. The sword of the Spirit enables us to parry close range attacks of the enemy while also being able to engage the devil in spiritual warfare. However, we must spend time in the word of God so that we know how to use it in the </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">evil day.</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We do not want to wait until we are in battle to utilize the sword of the Spirit. We will be ill-equipped and ineffective. In the same way a soldier is trained in the ability to wield a sword, we too must be trained in how to use the word of God. That training comes in our active reading and usage of the Word of God in our personal life.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What is the Word of God?</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Understanding these things, we can see the importance for us to understand what the Word of God is. In the Bible, there are three different definitions used in reference to the </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">word.</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3 Uses of Word in the Bible</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Graphe</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">- The written word; the book that is the Bible; the writings of scripture.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Logos</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">- The message of the written word; the understanding of the Word; The living Word</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s12" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Rhema</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">- The spoken word; utterance; the declaration of God</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Rhema is where we get our word </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">rhetoric</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">from. Rhema refers to the character of words or the persuasive power of words or sayings. The rhema word of God is a specific word, for a specific person, for a specific situation.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God has POWER</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God is</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s16" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">1. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Inspired by God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - 2 Timothy 3:16</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">6</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All Scripture</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">given by inspiration of God,</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">instruction in righteousness</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-indent: -12px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The authority of scripture comes from God</span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-indent: -12px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Inerrant = Free from error</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s17" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-indent: -12px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s16" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">2. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Alive</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - Hebrews 4:12</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">12</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the word of God is living and</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">active,</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">sharper than any</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God is alive! It has life! It has life and it is ready to be used.</span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God is </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">sharper</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">than a two-edged sword.</span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The word of God is able to slice into the unseen realm.</span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God separates the spirit from soul.</span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">When we hear the Word or we read the Word and it speaks to our spirit, the Word of God has just sliced into the unseen realm to separate you and your soul from God and His spirit. </span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God is so sharp that it cuts all the way to your thoughts and motives. It exposes your heart and lays it bare before you and God.</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s19" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; text-indent: -26px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">3. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ready to be Used</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 6:17 - </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">T</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ake</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">… </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 41px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Word of God is ready to be wielded as a spiritual weapon. It is already active and ready for use. It only must be taken up and used against our spiritual enemy.</span></span></div><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So the Word of God is the scriptures. The scriptures, when read, is meant to bring understanding while separating our thoughts and intent from the truth of God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word. The goal is to transform us from the inside out! However, there comes a time when we will need to wield that truth like a sword. The is the Word of God that Paul was referring to in Ephesians 6.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The sword of the Spirit is the spiritual weapon used against a spiritual enemy. In other words, the only thing that is going to defeat the devil in the </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">evil day</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word, a spiritual weapon. Philosophical tactics wont work. Religious habits wont work. Self-help strategies wont work. Self determination won</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t work. No man-made methods will be effective against a </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">spiritual</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">enemy. Against a spiritual enemy we have to use a spiritual weapon; that is the Word of God.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s take a look at how Jesus wielded the Word of God:</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Matthew 4:1-11</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1</span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">to be tempted by the devil.</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2</span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And after fasting</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">forty days and forty nights, he</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">was hungry.</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3</span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the tempter came and said to him, </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you are</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the Son of God, command</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">these stones to become loaves of bread.</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How did Jesus respond?</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4</span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But he answered,</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> “</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is written</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“‘</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Man shall not live by bread alone,</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’”</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">5</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then the devil took him to</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">6</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and said to him, </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“‘</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He will command his angels concerning you,</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“‘</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">On their hands they will bear you up,</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">lest you strike your foot against a stone.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’”</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus said to him,</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How did Jesus respond?</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Again</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it is written</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> ‘</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You shall not</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">put the Lord your God to the test.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’” </span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">9</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And he said to him, </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">10</span></span><span class="s24" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then Jesus said to him,</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How did Jesus respond?</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Be gone,</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Satan! For</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it is written</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“‘</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You shall worship the Lord your God</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">him only shall you serve.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’”</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">11</span></span><span class="s21" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then the devil left him, and behold,</span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s22" style="background-color: white; color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">angels came and were ministering to him.</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The devil came to Jesus to tempt and deceive Him in His time of need. However,</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus was fully equipped to combat the enemy. What was Jesus</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’ </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">weapon? It was the Word of God.</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Jesus kept replying to the enemy with, </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it is written</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…” </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What was He doing? He was using the Word of God as a spiritual weapon to defeat the devil in His time of temptation.</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">When we find ourselves under attack from the enemy, we must utter, it is written! We must wield the Word of God as our weapon in order to withstand his attack and send him home packing. So, how do we do that? We do that by declaring His Word.</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Rhema = Utterance</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We can utter, speak, and declare God</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word. When we utter, speak, and declare God</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word, things happen!! Why? Because there is POWER in His Word. His words have the ability to accomplish exactly what it was sent out to do. It is not empty but it will accomplish its mission! (Isaiah 55:10-11)</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Now you can speak your words all day long but it won</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t move the devil. He is not scared of your words and what you have to say. Why? Because your words alone have no power in the spiritual realm. But demons tremble at His name. The devil must bow His knee to the Word of God. However, it must be declared. God said, </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">let there be light.</span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He did not think it, He spoke it. When He spoke it, it came into being. We must speak His Word, declare it</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must realize that a soldier cannot wield a sword in battle without practice and expect to win. Similarly, we cannot expect to use the Word of God against the devil in a spiritual battle, without practice, and expect to win. Instead, we must practice wielding scripture!</span></span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must go from:</span></span></p><div class="s25" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Having a Bible</span></span></div><div class="s25" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Reading our Bible</span></span></div><div class="s25" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Meditating on the Bible</span></span></div><div class="s25" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; text-indent: -17px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s23" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Declaring the Bible</span></span></div><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0.1; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Takeaways:</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How do we take up the Sword of the Spirit?</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s26" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">I. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Read the Word</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">: Become familiar with the Bible and consume it like everyday food for our spirit. This strengthens our spirit man. Let us not let it sit in our house or car to collect dust. Instead, lets us read it to become familiar with the truth.</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s26" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">II. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Meditate on the Word</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (Memorization): Get the Word of God in our hearts. We cannot memorize scripture if we are not reading scripture. Think on it throughout the day, speak it to yourself, and seek the Holy Spirit to help you obey it. </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Psalm 119:11</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Your word I have treasured in my heart,</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">hat I may not sin against You</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><p><span class="s13" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px; text-indent: -22px;">III. </span><span class="s11" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Declare the Word</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">: Speak it and declare it as our spiritual weapon. Jesus spoke the Word of God as to declare the truth. We must declare God</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word as to what the truth is and stand on it. However, we cannot declare the Word of God if it is not already in our hearts.</span></span> </p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-18414174455488654242024-01-17T12:09:00.000-06:002024-01-17T12:09:10.786-06:00A Study of the Miraculous Part 3 Testimonies Offerings & Prescriptions<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ws011724</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
often hear of someone getting something they wanted as a result of something
they did. This is especially true in the world of weight loss. For example, when
people hear a true account of someone losing 10 pounds in 10 days just because
they didn’t eat between 6pm and noon for 10 days … it’s the talk of the town
and loads of people try it for themselves. People are prone to try what worked
for others in all arenas of life from money to marriage, and health to
happiness. Testimonies are powerful. The Bible says so.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">At
other times we get our own ideas and decide that we are going to do something
extra. Even though no one else has inspired us we decide to give extra, get up
earlier, volunteer time, get a new hobby, or go to Church. These offerings are
what we give to the equation of life in hopes to make things better for
ourselves and others. And, if it works for us … it will become a testimony and
soon we will be spreading the word and others will be challenged to try it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Still,
above testimonies, above offerings, there are those times when we need a
prescription … something tailored just for us … something prescribed by someone
who knows more than we do and are on our side, trying to help us conquer an
enemy or achieve what we want. Prescriptions can be very valuable. In fact I
dare to imagine that a majority of the people reading the notes or listening to
me right now have at least one prescription they take on a regular basis. And most
are probably working.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
are familiar with doctors giving prescriptions, but we may not be as acutely
aware of the fact that God gives prescriptions too. In our Study of the
Miraculous series, we are going to focus our attention on the prescription God
gave the widow of 2 Kings 4 through the Prophet Elisha. Let’s go to 2 Kings 4
now.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 4 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the
wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my
husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the
creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Elisha said to her,
“What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she
said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said, “Go, borrow
vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors — empty vessels; do
not gather just a few.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Each
step in this miracle is essential for success.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prescriptions from God are like recipes for success</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">. Step by step
instructions, each one important in its time to the overall outcome. Leave out
a step or stray from the prescribed instructions and it will alter the outcome.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Allow
me to cover the obvious first before we delve into the less observable elements
of this miracle. Beginning with verse 3:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Go …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two-thirds of God is
go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Go and do are the most
often required ingredients for success, even in the miraculous. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God demands we
participate in our miracles and when we are not sufficiently motivated to go
and do, we often fall short of what God was willing to do in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There are many reasons
why people don’t prefer to go and do. Most of the time it is because it
requires effort and the unknown. In other words – faith and works.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When we go and do, we
are demonstrating faith by our works.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your
neighbors …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Remember, this is a
testimony. It is a description of what God did in this woman’s situation, not a
prescription for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We cannot know for
certain. However, it is easy for me to imagine this woman who had waited until
the very last to ask for help from the prophet, might have had a problem with
pride. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God resists the proud
… so don’t be afraid to ask Him for help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Perhaps the
requirement to borrow vessels had something to do with humbling herself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is also reasonable
to assume that some of the neighbors may have asked her why she needed all
their empty vessels. This would have provided a testimony before the fact … a
statement of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes statements
of faith lock us into finishing the course.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Empty vessels …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is such
potential in an empty vessel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Every full vessel has
reached their potential.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Have you ever opened a
closet or a storage room only to realize that you cannot get one more thing in
there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Unless a lake or a jar
or a person is being emptied, pouring out by some means, then it is only
storing and there is a shelf life to every vessel that is already full.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God loves empty
vessels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We should be
constantly in need of refilling our lives because we are constantly pouring out
from the abundance God has given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t beat yourself up
because you find yourself empty one more time. You’ve just been being a good
soldier …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do not gather just a few …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the most
interesting part of these instructions to me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is where God
opens up the miracle to be as big as the woman can envision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She could gather all
of the empty vessels she wanted …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The instructions
included “do not gather just a few.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We don’t want to limit
or waste a miracle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God is always thinking bigger than we are thinking</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">. He is not only
wanting to meet our need for today. He wants to bless us and to make us a
blessing to others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
has a plan to meet your need and He also has a plan for your abundance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Have
faith for your offerings. Testimonies can inspire and motivate us to act.
However, make certain to follow the prescription God has given you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-90212215371146101352024-01-13T19:23:00.001-06:002024-01-14T12:40:01.938-06:00Trust<p></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">Gtcotr/ss011424</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I have </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a few </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">questions for which I have no answers. Without respect as to what I believe, </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will still</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> have questions for which there are no available answers. I have realized that at some point everyone is going to have to trust something they cannot </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">know for themselves</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> What we trust is up to us … </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">From experience I have observed people usually trust either:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Logic</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Based on their knowledge</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, their </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">experience</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, or the arguments of others.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As long as it</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> makes sense and can be </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">supported</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Many logical people follow t</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“I</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">f it cannot be tested</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> it cannot be trusted</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> approach.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Emotion</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Which are</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> derived from</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> feelings … </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a person</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> think</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, imagine</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, want</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, believe</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, or feel</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> about something or someone</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is often the truth for them</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If it feels right, I trust it.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Both logic and emotion are a fruit and not a root. Logic is </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">based on</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the limited knowledge</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> we</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> possess</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">at any given point in time. A</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ny </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">point of view </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">based on logic </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is subject to change whenever more information </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">comes to light</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Logic and emotions</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> may</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> change, truth does not</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Feelings are subject to change when circumstances change. For these reasons, emotions and logic are often poor indicators of truth. Some things can be figured out and some things can’t. Some feelings are correct</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and some aren’t. Neither logic </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">n</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">or emotion are dependable</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. We cannot allow</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">only </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">how we feel or what we can prove to </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">fully represent truth.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is a third element available to </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">us</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> which transcends human logic, reasoning, and </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the emotional makeup of an individual. This is:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Holy </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Spirit</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Holy Spirit</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> is not absent of, but is superior to, both logic and emotion.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Holy Spirit is the</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> unexplainable element we </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">often encounter</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">wh</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">o</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> speaks louder, stronger, and deeper than </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">what we think or what we feel</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">When we put our trust in th</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">at</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">V</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">oice within the voice, we cal</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">l it</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> faith.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is a voice of the Holy Spirit which speaks to us like a wind blowing on our hearts and </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">through our </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">minds. The still small voice that Elijah heard</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">;</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the rushing mighty wind which came on the day of Pentecost</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">;</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the gentle nudge or a highlighted word of conf</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">i</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">rmation which comes from a song, a sign, or a sermon on Sundays</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> …</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">his is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you, </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it sounds like gold, agrees with the Bible, </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and you can trust it.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I often wake </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">early in the morning </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">with a word I </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">know I </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">can trust. And I can say for certain that the Lord has spoken to me. My faith in God’s word is enough to cover the questions for which I </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">have no</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> answers. Unanswered questions no longer stand between me and my trust in God</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and His Word</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Have you ever wondered:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Where </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">did Adam and Eve’s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> find wives for their sons</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">to </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">marry?</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Why did God allow the serpent in the Garden?</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">When was the beginning?</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What is on the other side of the very last thing?</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I don’t know. But </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">J</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ust because I don’t know does not mean I don’t trust</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. Faith is not knowing and yet believing. I have come to a personal faith in God that transcends what I can prove or what I </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">personally </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">feel. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I refuse to have more faith in a scientist</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> or a situation than I do in that voice I have come to know as the Holy Spirit of God. </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I have decided to not trust myself more than I trust the Word of God</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> The Bible calls that faith.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It would be silly to do otherwise.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> It might seem hard not, but it won’t later!</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you listen, there is a </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">V</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">oice within the voice, and </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">if it is the Holy Spirit, it</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> will always agree with the Word, the Will, and the Way of God.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are several examples throughout the Bible which e</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">mphasize</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> this truth. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Time would fail us this morning to tell of all of the </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">people</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> who were moved by the Holy Spirit to defy logic</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> overcome emotional hardships</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and accomplish</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">great works of faith</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Hebrews 11 NKJV</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">32 ¶ And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For the sake of time allow me to tell just a part of the story of Gideon.</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Gideon lived in the time of the judges in Israel. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This was during the 400 years between Joshua and Samuel.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Children of Israel had no king</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> were often attacked by </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">their </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">neighbor</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">One of the neighboring countries to the east was Midian</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, now the country of Jordan.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Midianites</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, along with the Amalekites who also lived </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a little farther north</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> didn’t like the Israelites and would raid their </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">fields</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and destroy their crops and any </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">storehouses of grain.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This went on for years</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … like 7 years</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> at this point</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … and Israel was impoverished all the way from Je</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">zreel</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to Gaza.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Judges 6:</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">11 ¶ Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">was</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in Ophrah, which </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">belonged</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> from the Midianites.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Angel</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> of the Lord</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> told Gideon that he was a mighty man of valor and that the Lord was with him.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Gideon replied – “That makes no sense” … </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">look around … </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it’s not </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">reasonable</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and I certainly don’t feel like the Lord is with us … rather – it feel</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> like </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the opposite is true</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The angel of the Lord told Gideon that </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Gideon</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> was going to save Israel from the hand of th</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">eir enemies</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Judges 6:</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the weakest in Manasseh, and I </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">am</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the least in my father’s house.”</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“O my Lord!” that is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard … </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You’re not making any sense …</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I don’t see it</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">feel it</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, or believe it </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pushing to near the end of the story,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> which we should all read …</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> with the help of the Lord, 32,000 Israelites gathered with Gideon to fight the Midianites and the Amalekites who were camped in the Valley of Jezreel.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Bible says there were so many of them that they looked like locusts</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and their camels were without number. The Israelites were greatly outnumbered.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Then God said:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Judges 7</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2 </span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Gideon, “The people who </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">are</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> with you </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">are</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3 “Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’ ” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4 But the LORD said to Gideon, “The people </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">are</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> still </span></span><span class="s12" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">too</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> many</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> …</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Finally Gideon, listening to the Holy Spirit of God, whittled </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">his army </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">down to 300</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> men</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">From 32,000 to 300!</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That’s what we call a Gideon revival!</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">BTW - </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It only works when it is done by the hand of the Lord</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This defies all logic and reason</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and it certainly could </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">cause some</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> emotional concerns for the 300 and their families.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If they weren’t afraid before, they sure had reason to be now.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">However … when the fighting started, God took over and the Midianites and the Amalekites and some of the other enemies of the Children of Israel were </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">completely </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">defeated. It’s an account well worth reading. And it confirms how God is not limited to human reason, logic, or understanding. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Judges 8:</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 21.6px;"> </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">During my years as a Born-Again Believer in Jesus Christ, I have had many questions for which I have found</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> no</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> answers. I</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’ve</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> listened to arguments, insights, theories, conjectures, ideas, commentaries, and calculations … however – my overriding faith has come from trusting God more than I trust man or myself.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I have decided to not make myself miserable </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">because I do</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> not know the answer to every question. There is a peace which comes through faith. </span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in miracles.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in angels.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in the Bible.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in the virgin birth. </span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in salvation by faith through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in the resurrection.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe Jesus is coming again.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in heaven</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and I believe in hell.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe in my calling.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I believe God has a plan for your life.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">He wants to save you</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, bless you, and make you a blessing to others. </span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s11" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Trust Him today</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. Listen </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">for</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> that </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">V</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">oice within my voice. The truth is confirmed by the Bible. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Begin your faith journey today. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Don’t limit God to your </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">own </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">understanding or His will to how you feel. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Trust Him today!</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let’s pray …</span></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-18974994214508103152024-01-13T16:00:00.003-06:002024-01-13T21:14:29.262-06:00PREPARED FOR BATTLE: THE ARMOR OF GOD Part VI: The Helmet of Salvation<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Review</span></p><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Paul was writing to people in Ephesus who knew a thing or two about armor (training facility; Paul chained to a Roman guard)</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is a spiritual battle happening around us</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Therefore we must be prepared for battle</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We do this by putting on the whole armor of God</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The armor of God allows us to stand firm against the attack of the devil</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We cannot wait until the battle commences before we arm ourselves</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our battle is not against people, but against demonic forces at work</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must put on the </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">whole</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> armor of God to resist the enemy</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s trap</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Belt of truth</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Truth is absolute and it does not change. The devil wants to change what you believe to be true. Therefore we must know the truth so that we can be free from deception. We must engage, confess, and stand on God</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word so that we can know the truth and believe it.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Breastplate of Righteousness</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Righteousness is the standard in which we please God. It is living rightly. Righteousness is meant to protect our heart from allowing the devil access into our life. Sin opens the door for the enemy to have a legal right into our life. Only true righteousness will guard us from the enemy. We received the righteousness of Christ at salvation, however we have a part to play as well. We must also walk out righteousness in our own life.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shoes of the Gospel of Peace</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Peace is calmness of soul in the midst of difficult circumstances. Through Christ, there is a peace available that despite our circumstances, we can be free stress and worry. This peace is found in the Gospel. Because we have peace with God, we have access to the peace of God. If we want to receive this peace then we have to go to the God of peace to claim it.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Shield of Faith</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Faith is our main line of defense against the attack of the enemy. If he wants to get through to you then he must get through your faith. Faith is not based on our feelings or what we see happening around us. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Faith is simply acting on God</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If we know what God</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word says about a matter, then we can act on it. If we continually act on God</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word, then we are walking by faith. Our faith walk is not meant to be done alone. Link your faith up with others so that your faith can be strengthened in your time of need and strengthen others as well.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That brings us to the helmet of salvation.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Ephesians 6:17 - </span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">T</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ake</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the helmet of salvation, and</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God</span></span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">A helmet is used as protective gear in modern days sports like football, baseball, etc. They are used when riding motorcycles and other vehicles. A helmet is considered as a vital piece of equipment in these activities as it is meant to protect your head from serious injury. It is highly advised and even required to participate in these activities. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">A Roman Soldier</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Helmet</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Along with the rest of his armor, a Roman soldier wore a helmet over their heads to protect themselves from injury. A soldier would not go anywhere without his helmet. They were normally made of thick leather covered with metal plates. Some were made of molded metal</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For Christians, we too must put on a helmet, that is the helmet of salvation. As mentioned before, a helmet is intended to protect the head from serious injury. The fact that our helmet is tied to Salvation, it is clear that Salvation is meant to protect our minds from the enemy</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s attack. The devil wants to attack your mind. Specifically, he wants to attack the way you think. He wants you to doubt your salvation, he wants you to be unsure of your standing with God. He wants to discourage you by pointing to your failures, bringing up your past, making you believe that God is disappointed in you, etc. He wants to shake your confidence in God. However, he cannot do that if you have your helmet on. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Understanding Salvation</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So if we are to put on salvation as a helmet, then we have to understand what salvation is.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation = </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">S</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ō</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ē</span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">rios</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> = Rescue or deliverance from danger</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation refers to us being saved from present and eternal damnation. The Word of God makes it clear that salvation is built on the gospel or good news. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation is by grace, through faith.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">By Grace - It is a free gift of God that has been made available through the finished work of Jesus Christ. It cannot be earned, no matter how much good you do on earth. It cannot be earned if it is by grace. If we are able to earn it then it ceases to be grace. Not only can we earn salvation, we deserve it either. Grace is getting what we don</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t deserve. Salvation is a free gift, paid by Christ through His death on the cross.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Through Faith - We access what Christ has made available to us through faith. We believe and we receive. Our faith is seen in our good works. By professing Jesus as Lord and repenting of our sin, giving our lives over to Him, and following Him with our life, our faith is shown! We are not working to earn our salvation, we are not working to be saved, we are working because we are saved.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation is deliverance from eternal damnation through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation of the Mind</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">With that said, i</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t is important to know that Paul was </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">not writing to unbelievers; he was </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">writing to Christians. Therefore, he is not saying to put on salvation </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in order</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to be saved. They were already saved! Still, he commands them to </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">take up</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">their helmet called salvation</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> (i</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t is </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">our </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">responsibility to pick up the helmet of salvation</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">).</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> So, why would Paul command saved people to put on salvation as a helmet? </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So that our mind can be saved. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">While our spirit is saved upon receiving Christ, our mind is not.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We can</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> be saved and not think like we are</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">saved. When we think like we are unsaved, when we think according to our old way of life, the result is defeat in every area of our life. We become controlled by the devil. Therefore we must change the way we think. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s16" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Romans 12:2</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Do not be conformed to this world,</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">but be transformed by</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the renewal of your mind</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation of our mind takes work.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Philippians 2:12</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> says to </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">work out your own salvation</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We have to work out the salvation of our soul (mind, will, emotions). It takes work! We have to change the way we think.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The 3 Tenses of Salvation</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Now salvation has a past</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">present, and a future context. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">1. </span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Past</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">: Saved from the Penalty of Sin (</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Justification</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We were justified with God when we placed our faith in Christ for our salvation. Justified simply means </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">just-as-if-I-have-never-sinned.</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It means you have been made right with God. You were saved from the </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">penalty of sin</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. Our sin separated us from God and we were headed for eternal damnation. We were far from God, considered dead because of our sin. However, through Christ</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s death, our sin has been paid for. When we believe in Christ and His finished work on the cross, our sin is covered and paid for. It is tossed away and remembered no more. We were justified, made right with God, at the point of salvation.</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">2. </span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Present</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">: Being saved from the Power of Sin</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Sanctification</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">As good as justification sounds, salvation does not end there. Along with the penalty of sin being removed from us through justification, we are presently being saved from the </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">power of sin</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. This is called sanctification. We are being sanctified, or being made holy. We are being conformed into the image of His son (Romans 8:29). In other words, we are being made more like Jesus. This happens through the work of the Holy Spirit. He is shaping us into the image of Christ. That means that we are becoming less like who we used to be and more like Christ. It is through this process that the power of sin is broken off of our life. We </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">have</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> been delivered from the penalty of sin, but we </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">are</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> still being delivered f</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">rom</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the power of sin. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">3. </span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Future</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">: Will be Saved from the Presence of Sin (</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Glorification</span></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">)</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation has a past verdict, a future reality, and it also has a future hope. That hope is that one day we will be fully saved from the </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">presence of sin</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. This is called glorification. All it means is that one day, we will be completely saved. We WILL be transformed into the image of His son, we WILL be delivered from sin once and for all, and we WILL spend eternity with Him. We will be perfected. Who we are now is not who we will be. We have a future hope that should drive us to live right and holy lives as we wait for His return. (Romans 8:11; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2-3)</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We were saved, we are being saved, and we will one day be completely saved. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">W</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">e were saved when we believed</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> we will be saved when Jesus returns. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">However,</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> we are currently being saved. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is our soul that is being saved. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What are we being saved from? The hell of this life. We are being saved from the power of sin and the consequences of it. </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The devil wants us to fall for his trap so that we will be bound up and defeated. However, he cannot do that if we are avoiding those traps. According to Romans 12:2, we can only do that by allowing our minds to be </span></span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">transformed</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. This happens through the renewal of the mind.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">While it is true that you and I play zero part in our eternal salvation, we do play a vital role in the salvation of our mind.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Salvation was never meant to stop at getting you into heaven. It is meant to continue to </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">save you</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in this life as well. If we want to be saved and delivered from our old way of life, </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">then </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">we must change the way we think. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Our mind controls our body/actions. If I think like I am unsaved, I will live that way. If I believe I should be afraid, I will live in fear. If I think I am not good enough, I won</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t get better, nobody loves me, etc, then that is what I will become. However, if I think like I</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">m saved, then I will live that way as well. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Proverbs 23:7</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> - </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For as he thinks in his heart, so</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s15" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he.</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We have to change that</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> stinking-</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">thinking so that we can be free from </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the devil</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s deceptive schemes</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2 Corinthians 10:5</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">C</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">asting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, </span></span><span class="s16" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">bringing every thought into captivity</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to the obedience of Christ</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><div class="s19" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Not every thought should stay in our minds</span></span></div><div class="s19" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are some thoughts that don</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">t belong in our mind.</span></span></div><div class="s19" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; text-indent: -13px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">- </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We must take them captive and make them obedient to Christ</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Your life will be built on your strongest/ most dominant thoughts. </span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Therefore we must be aware of what comes in our mind and what we allow to stay there. We have to renew our mind through the Word of God. We must allow God</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">’</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s Word to reshape our thinking.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Philippians 4:8-9</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What you have learned</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">received and heard and seen</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in me</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">—</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">practice these things, and</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the God of peace will be with you.</span></span><span class="s14" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Make the decision that you will think on things that are</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">…</span></span></p><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">True: not false</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Honorable: </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">not</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> immoral, corrupt, or disreputable thoughts</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Just: </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">not</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> things that are unfair or wrong</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Lovely: </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">not</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> ugly thoughts</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Commendable: </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">not </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">a</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">nything that is</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> bad or wrong</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Moral Excellence: nothing sinful; shameful</span></span></div><div class="s20" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-indent: -15px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20.4px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Worthy of Praise: nothing that is unworthy</span></span></div><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">By thinking on these things, and practicing them, you will experience </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">peace</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">in our body, our heart, and in our lives.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How to put on the Helmet of Salvation</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s21" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">4. </span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Be confident in the finished work of Christ</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">a) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you have placed your faith in Christ, you have been delivered from the penalty of sin</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">b) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Do not allow the devil to make you believe other wise</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s21" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">5. </span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Allow your mind to be transformed</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">a) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The power of sin can be broken off of your life by renewing your mind. </span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">b) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Your life will become transformed through the renewal your mind</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">c) </span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If you change the way you think then you will change the way you live.</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">d) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Romans 8:6 - </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For to set</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">e) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If I want life and peace in my life then my mind must be set on the spirit.</span></span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="s18" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s21" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2px;">6. </span><span class="s13" style="color: #ed220b; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Look forward to the future hope we have in Christ</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">a) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I have been saved, I will be saved, but one day I will be completely saved. </span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">b) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That is the final hope that we have as believers; let us live in light of that hope.</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">c) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let us be prepared for His coming; let us be ready for His return.</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">d) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We are prepared by living holy and blameless before the Lord.</span></span></div><div class="s22" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 58px; text-indent: -22px;"><span class="s17" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13.2px;">e) </span><span class="s9" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1 Thessalonians 5:8</span></span></div>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-8865772251933749792024-01-10T12:04:00.002-06:002024-01-10T12:07:16.224-06:00A Study of the Miraculous - Part Two - Little is Much in the Hand of the Lord<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ws011024</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Last
week in part 1 of our series we learned that:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God demands we participate in our miracles.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
when we go to God with a need, we should be ready to do something. The Bible
plainly says that if a person is unwilling to work, they, and their community,
should accept their hunger as a reasonable result. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) It is
not unreasonable for God to expect us to work with Him to meet our needs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
widow of 2 Kings 4 is a prime example of someone who had done everything they
could have and needed a miracle from God. However, the miracle God wanted her
to have would demand faith and work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We must give God something to work with.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
September of 2023, just before the October 7<sup>th</sup> horrendous terrorists
attack perpetrated by Hamas against the peaceful citizens of southern Israel, I
was in Jerusalem leading a group of people from our Church on a tour of the
Holy Land.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One
day found us on the Temple Mount and also at the City of David. Of all the
accounts in the Bible which happened at these sites, we chose to focus on one
of the three miracles Jesus did in Jerusalem. Specifically the miracle of
healing the blind man as recorded in John chapter 9.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
was exiting the Temple and the disciples saw a blind man. They questioned Jesus
as to why this happened. In the end, Jesus spit on the ground and made some mud
and put it on the eyes of the blind man and told him to go and wash in the pool
of Siloam.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
September while reading the account of this blind man I asked our group to
follow me down a path. Even though there is a sidewalk there now, the path is
still very winding and very steep and hard to walk. Along the way we discussed
how difficult it must have been to walk that path 2000 years ago, especially if
you were blind … and on top of that … someone had put wet sand in your eyes.
All together it took our group the better part of 20 minutes before we found
ourselves sitting beside the pool of Siloam.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
lesson that morning concluded with the realization that Jesus required even the
blind man to walk a faith walk. Jesus required this man to participate in
faith. It was a long and potentially perilous walk for the blind man. He didn’t
have to do it and it is a wonder he did. He didn’t know it would make a
difference. He didn’t even know what he was missing. He had been blind from
birth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
only guarantee he had was instructions from a man called Jesus, whom he had
never seen. Like the leper Naaman in 2 Kings 5, he would have gone back to
Syria and died a leper if he had not have dipped himself in the Jordan River 7
times as the prophet required.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
blind man at the pool of Siloam received his miracle that day but it was not
until he obeyed the Word of God and walked by faith and not by sight and washed
in the pool of Siloam. Then the scriptures say he walked back to the Temple
Mount and found Jesus to thank him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
retrospect, that 20 minute walk for him was a very small thing, that may have
looked like a very big thing in his moment. <span style="color: red;">God will
never ask us to do anything we cannot do, although it might take some extra
effort on our part.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Still
… <b><span style="color: red;">Little is much in the hand of the Lord</span></b>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 Kings 4 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1 ¶<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the
wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my
husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the
creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Elisha said to her,
“What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she
said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tell
me, what do you have in the house?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It might seem to some that a true prophet of the stature of Elisha<br />
could have already discerned what it was that the woman had in her house. This
indicates to us two possibilities of which both are at times true.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">First: Even true and gifted men of God do not always know<br />
everything, even about the works and miracles they themselves are involved in.
(such as the Prophet Nathan: 2 Samuel 7)</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Next: Often men of God, though they know, they await others to<br />
come to the knowledge as though arriving at it by themselves. People guided to
truth who uncover it often feel more joined to it since they feel they
discovered it.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Note: The prophet is going to identify something personal and costly<br />
to the widow … something in her house. Even though she has recently lost much,
still the road to her salvation demands she offer yet more of what she has.
Much like the widow of 1 Kings 17, this woman must act in faith for her
miracle.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Trusting God is often easier when you have an
abundance</span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b><br />
However, seldom do we need a miracle when we have abundance. God may use our
abundance to provide miracles for others.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Her
reply: “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She
had evidently not gone running to the prophet when she first found herself in
trouble. It appears she used everything she had, every natural means of supply
until she ran out of options. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Finally
in despair, she turned to someone she trusted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Her
answer shows she was out of ideas and that she didn’t think the little she had
was of any value to anyone.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The things we so lightly esteem are often anointed by God to become
our salvation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
chooses the simple things of this world and the things which are nothing to
bring about great things. (1 Corinthians 1:28) Little David,<br />
from the backside of the desert, tending a few sheep, was brought from<br />
obscurity to greatness in the hand of the Lord. (1 Samuel 16:11 & 17:28)
God has decided to place more of His honor on the unseemly parts of mankind
than on those we often esteem. (1 Corinthians 12:23)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
our humility we are exalted and in His gentleness are we made great. (1 Peter
5:6 & Psalms 18:35) It is in the weak of this world that God chose to place
His greatest treasure. (2 Corinthians 12:10) These ignorant and unlearned men,
earthen vessels of clay, just because they had been with Jesus were elevated to
eternal recognition as their names are written on foundation stones of our new
Jerusalem, the holy city ascending down from God. (Acts 4:13; 2 Corinthians
4:7; Revelation 21:14) As then, so now, the stone that the builders rejected
becomes the head of the corner.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">
How appropriate to have only a little oil turn out to be much more than<br />
enough.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tell
me, what do you have? Little is much in the hand of the Lord. It is often the
little we are willing to offer to God that He anoints and uses. Some small
amount of time; some small talent; some small offering.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">No
doubt what made it precious to God was because it was precious to her. It
represented all she had and the prophet simply told her to trust God with all
she had.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
demands we participate in our miracles. And Little is much in the hand of the
Lord.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
pray we all learn to walk by faith and not by sight. God knows what He is doing
and He knows exactly where you are in life. He has a miracle for you and your
family. You may not have much to offer, offer it anyway. And offer it in faith!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">How
do we know if we have faith? We keep walking towards Siloam; we keep dipping in
the Jordan River; We keep pouring out of the little jar of oil.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Keep
praying, keep reading, keep trusting, keep walking, keep giving, keep coming.
Soon you will see and be free!<o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-5258212959833529432024-01-06T19:57:00.000-06:002024-01-06T19:57:28.036-06:00 It Happens<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 2em;">Gtcotr/ss010724</span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who watch it happen.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who make it happen.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people it happened to.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I was </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">someone </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">watching it happen because someone was making it happen and suddenly it happened to me. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I was 12 years old in the summer of 1967 and I went to Church. I was watching Church happen at the First Baptist Church in Simms, Texas, because someone was making it happen. I was doing nothing to make </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">happen. In fact, if it had been up to </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">me</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> it would not have happened.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">However, while I was watching Church happen because someone else had decided it was worth their efforts to make Church happen, suddenly it happened to me. I felt the hand of God on my life, became convinced I needed Him in my life, and as a result it changed my life for ever … it happened to me!</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This was not the first time I had watched Church happen and not the first time some wonderful people had gotten up on a Sunday morning and left their homes early to make Church happen. But … it was the first time anything like that had happened to me.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I want to say a great big thank you and God bless you to all those nameless and often forgotten people who gave of their time, talents, and treasury to make </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Church happen for me. Looking back on the last 57 years I can tell you that without regard as to what it cost Mr. Lanoy Johnson, Mrs. Tidwell, or Pastor Tom Cowgill, it was well worth their investment.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">So many </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">times </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">since</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> that day,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> I have been the recipient of someone else’s hard labor. I am the fruit of seeds sown by others who answered the call, stood their watch, and invested their lives.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> I believe each and every one of us can say the same. Especially when it comes to being born-again.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today we are going to take a look at the lives of some of the people in the Bible. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God gave us a picture of people making things happen while people watched things happen and suddenly, even without their permission, it happened to them.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Acts 8 NKJV</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4 ¶ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">paralyzed</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and lame were healed.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 And there was great joy in that city.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Philip </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">was making it happen. </span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Of course God was the power behind it happening.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But without Philip it would not have </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">been happening</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">These Samaritans would have never traveled to Jerusalem to see it happen.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Philip took the Gospel to them.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">multitudes</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> were watching it happen. </span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The Bible says they were: “Hearing and seeing the miracles Philip did.”</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Oh yes … they were watching it happen with</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> about</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the same human interest as one would watch a carnival.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People are interested in hearing and watching things happen.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It doesn’t matter if we are talking about the Samaritans of 2000 years ago, the Russians of 30 years ago, or th</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ose we are sent to reach in 2024</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … </span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People will come if something is happening</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> – good or bad.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Suddenly … it happened to the Samaritans who were watching.</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">With one accord the Samaritans heeded the things spoken by Philip</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">paralyzed</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and lame were healed.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And there was great joy in that city.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who make it happen, people who watch it happen, and people who it happens to.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> And by the way – these things work in the negative, just like they do in the positive.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Have you ever read the account of Lot who was the nephew of Abraham. He and his wife and 2 daughters lived in the city of Sodom,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> near the southern tip of the Dead Sea,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in the Jordan River Valley</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. It was a very fertile plain in those days, about 2000 years before Christ.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It seems that the </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">men</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> of Sodom were not living lives pleasing to God but were </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">passionately committed to</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">perpetrating</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> violent acts of sexual sin</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> against other men</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. They justified their behavior by saying that no one else had the right to judge them. </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> “I</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> should be able to do whatever </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> want to</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">” doctrine of life</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Basically, anything goes. You have your truth and I have mine. The heck with rules … there are no rules!</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There was a group of people in Sodom who:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Made these things happen. </span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Watched</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> these things happen.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And then there was Lot who it happened to.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2 Peter 2</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7 And</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(God)</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">his</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> righteous soul from day to day with </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">their</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> unlawful deeds;)</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Vexed = 1: exhausted; worn down 2: to struggle against the wind</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> …</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Lot saw and heard filthy conversation of sinful people all day long and </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">watching what was happening … it happened to him. He became:</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Exhausted; worn down: tired of fighting against it …</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Confused about right and wrong … so much so that Lot’s final answer was to offer his two virgin daughters to </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">suffer such horrific abuse</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s10" style="color: #00b050; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Genesis 19:</span></span><span class="s10" style="color: #00b050; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 “See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men</span></span><span class="s10" style="color: #00b050; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> …”</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">That’s your answer Lot? Talk about bad company corrupting good morals. </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(1 Corinthians 15:33)</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … “Crucify Him; Crucify Him; Crucify Him.” </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who make things happen.</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Good and not so good.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who watch things happen.</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Good and not so good.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There are people who things happen to.</span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Those who become a part of what’s happening. </span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And begin to make things happen for others.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The last Bible account</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> for today</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> deals with the Apostle Paul. Paul was a man who made things happen. In his early days he was known as Saul of Tarsus and the things he made happen caused a lot of bad things to happen to a lot of good people. After he was born again, Paul worked just as hard for Jesus as he had previously worked against Him.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">There is an account in the book of Acts detailing how Paul and his ministry disciple, Silas, were stripped, beaten with rods in public, then thrown into a dungeon and placed in stocks and chains. </span></span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Some businessmen made that happen … it was over money.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People watched it happen.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You guessed it … it impacted a lot of people who began to support what was happening – even though it was wrong.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We have to be so careful not to get caught up in the passions of people doing wrong</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You can be sincere and passionate but sincerely and passionately wrong.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But … that is not the end of the story. Paul decided </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">he wanted to make something happen</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> for himself and others,</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> instead of just letting whatever the devil wanted to happen. Let’s read from the Acts account:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Acts 16</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">25 ¶ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">opened</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and everyone’s chains were </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">loosed</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Paul and Silas made it happen.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The prisoners were listening to what was happening.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Suddenly it happened to them! </span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">They were all set free.</span></span></div><div class="s8" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s7" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">They had Church!!!</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">You can finish reading that account because it is not the last thing they made happen and not the last ones who watched it happen and not the last people who Church happened to that night.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">The jailor and his whole household were saved … the prisoners were ministered to … a Church was birthed … and Paul and Silas were set free </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">and</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> continue</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">d</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> their mission</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">ary</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> journey </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">to</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> share the Gospel all throughout the country of Greece.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today – someone is</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> still</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> making Church, family, </span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">missions efforts, and all the will of God happen. Are you that someone?</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today people are watching these things happen. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It is my hope that just like it happened to me and to so many others, that something wonderful, something miraculous, something spiritual will happen to you. If you are not born-again, if you have not personally invited Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, it can happen to you right now … </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Pray with me … Become a part of making God things happen and remember … </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God has a plan for your life but so does the devil</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> … learn to recognize the difference. Because </span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">W</span></span><span class="s5" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">hat you feed will grow</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> …</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and it happens</span></span><span class="s6" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> suddenly!</span></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-84970646937159031592024-01-03T15:02:00.000-06:002024-01-03T15:02:15.667-06:00A Study of the Miraculous Series – Part One The Motivation<p> <span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Gtcotr/ws010324</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God demands we participate in our miracles.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<span style="color: red;">2 Kings 4:</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A certain woman of the wives of the sons of
the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying …</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
This story begins with the wife of a man who had been a student in<br />
the school of the prophets under Elijah’s ministry. She was most likely<br />
from Bethel. (2 Kings 2:3) These students were for the most part<br />
non-Levitical, non-priestly men who felt called and compelled to learn the<br />
ways of the Lord and therefore had dedicated their lives to His service.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
Since the days of Samuel and continuing throughout the Old Testament period,
gifted men who entered the school of the prophets were prepared to stand beside
monarchs and priests, to guard the nation and to proclaim and protect the God
ordered rules of life and reward. Schools were established at Ramah, Bethel,
Gibeah, Gilgal and Jericho. Before Elijah’s final departure he found time to
visit these schools and gave parting instructions to the young prophets.<br />
<br />
In answer to the call of God, this certain woman we find in 2 Kings 4, along
with her husband, had relegated their lives and futures to a meager existence.
In these times of spiritual drought for the masses of people, without a secure
job and secular occupation, those who dedicated their lives to serving God in
this respect could expect very little, income was almost non-existent and
always undependable.<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is because she learned the value of a Godly man’s counsel<br />
from having a husband so committed to God that in her desperate moment she was
motivated to seek out the advice of one she trusted, the Prophet Elisha in this
case, who was a true servant of the Lord. She cried …<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">2 Kings 4:1 … “Your servant my husband is dead
…”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This was evidently a sudden and unexpected death that had not been<br />
prepared for. As often happens, sudden departures, even of servants of the
Lord, can cause great and continuing hardship on those left behind to manage
the affairs of life.<br />
<br />
Since Elisha was Elijah’s recognized successor and chosen replacement, (2 Kings
2:15), it seems reasonable that this widow would go to Elisha for assistance in
solving her problem. Thus she continues:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">2 Kings 4:1 “… and you know that your servant
feared the LORD …”</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The widow establishes the fact that her late husband was not a<br />
careless nor reckless man who just did not pay attention to his affairs but<br />
rather this statement lends credibility to the idea that he died suddenly<br />
and without fair notice or opportunity to make arrangements himself for the
payment of his debt and provision for his family after his death.<br />
<br />
The widow tells the Prophet Elisha that she knows he too was<br />
personally familiar with her husband’s service to God and spiritual<br />
credibility.<br />
<br />
Now this widow puts forth her dilemma.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">2 King 4:1 “… And the creditor is coming to
take my two sons to be his slaves.”</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<br />
The husband has died leaving his family in debt, so much debt that<br />
the widow and surviving sons cannot pay.<br />
<br />
Even though they have faithfully and fearfully served the Lord and<br />
been employed by choice and at personal cost in the spiritual service of<br />
God’s Kingdom, nonetheless, the current laws of the land apply to them.<br />
<br />
One cannot claim to be exempt nor excused from the laws governing<br />
others just because they have given their all in service to God. Even Jesus<br />
paid taxes, rendering custom to whom custom was due. (Luke 20:25) The<br />
Apostle Peter also encouraged saints to obey every ordinance of man while the
Apostle Paul encouraged us to submit to the magistrates in charge. (1<br />
Peter 2:13 & Romans 13)<br />
<br />
The two sons, regardless of age, must by law fulfill the contract of<br />
payment either by monetarily satisfying their father’s debt or by serving<br />
out the debt as slaves until fully paid or until the year of Jubilee at<br />
which time they would be set free.<br />
<br />
This widow’s cry was for the freedom of her sons. She no doubt is as<br />
well crying for her own recent loss and fearing the added loss of her only<br />
two sons, which seems unbearable.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">2 Kings 4:2a And Elisha said unto her, “What shall I do
for you?”</span><br />
<br />
It is unclear from which frame of mind Elisha asked this question …<br />
whether he is truly wondering or from an attitude of despair as to what to<br />
do. Even seasoned men of God can and do feel both when faced with solving
others’ problems in the visible place of God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Apostle Paul rehearsed the fact that daily there came upon him the
care of all of the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28) and he wondered at times if
he had actually run or sown or labored in vain. (Galatians 4:11) There is no
doubt that the prophet Elisha genuinely cared but may have still<br />
been at a legitimate loss as to what to do.<br />
<br />
It is perhaps certain that Elisha knew that there was nothing which<br />
he, of himself, could do. This would require a miracle and thus he needed<br />
to move this woman into a position to receive from God. Any minister of the
Gospel should realize that our only hope is to connect people to God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">From this one and several other examples in the Bible, in order to
receive a miracle, you should:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Encourage yourself to depend on God and seek His counsel.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Offer what you have to God for His divine touch.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Obediently follow the prescribed course of action required
for God’s intervention.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The prescription can be anything from dipping in the river Jordan seven<br />
times, to walking the aisle at a church and humbly submitting to the laying<br />
on of hands for help.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
Elisha knows he needs to move this woman into faith-filled action. He wants to
find a way for her to participate in the miracle she needs from God. She needs
to give God something to work with.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
<span style="color: red;">2 Kings 4:2b “… tell me, what do you have in the house?”</span><br />
<br />
It might seem to some that a true prophet of the stature of Elisha<br />
could have already discerned what it was that the woman had in her house. This
indicates to us two possibilities of which both are at times true.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">First: Even true and gifted men of God do not always know<br />
everything, even about the works and miracles they themselves are involved in.
(such as the Prophet Nathan: 2 Samuel 7)</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Next: Often men of God, though they know, they await others to<br />
come to the knowledge as though arriving at it by themselves. People guided to
truth who uncover it often feel more joined to it since they feel they
discovered it.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Note: The prophet is going to identify something personal and costly<br />
to the widow … something in her house. Even though she has recently lost much,
still the road to her salvation demands she offer yet more of what she has.
Much like the widow of 1 Kings 17, this woman must act in faith for her
miracle.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Trusting God is often easier when you have an
abundance</span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></b><br />
However, seldom do we need a miracle when we have abundance. God may use our
abundance to provide miracles for others.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
<span style="color: red;">2 Kings 4:2c <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house…”</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
She evidently did not immediately go running to Elisha as her first<br />
option with her need, but rather had waited, most likely trying every other<br />
natural means to supply. Now, only when she possesses nothing, do her<br />
creditors come as vultures, in their right advance, to lay claim to her most
prized possessions. It can seem when all else has left you and there is no<br />
ability in reserve, that the problems of life unfairly pile onto the shoulders
of God’s people. Through necessity many finally despair of any other way and
turn to the way, Jesus.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">2 Kings 4:2c <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of
oil.”</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
The things we so lightly esteem are often anointed to become our<br />
salvation. God chooses the simple things of this world and the things which are
nothing to bring about great things. (1 Corinthians 1:28) Little David,<br />
from the backside of the desert, tending a few sheep, was brought from<br />
obscurity to greatness in the hand of the Lord. (1 Samuel 16:11 & 17:28)
God has decided to place more of His honor on the unseemly parts of mankind
than on those we often esteem. (1 Corinthians 12:23)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In our humility we are exalted and in His gentleness are we made great.
(1 Peter 5:6 & Psalms 18:35) It is in the weak of this world that God chose
to place His greatest treasure. (2 Corinthians 12:10) These ignorant and
unlearned men, earthen vessels of clay, just because they had been with Jesus
were elevated to eternal recognition as their names are written on foundation
stones of our new Jerusalem, the holy city ascending down from God. (Acts 4:13;
2 Corinthians 4:7; Revelation 21:14) As then, so now, the stone that the
builders rejected becomes the head of the corner.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
How appropriate to have only a little oil turn out to be much more than<br />
enough.<br />
<br />
Oil is representative of the Holy Spirit in the house. At one time<br />
there was probably a plentiful supply for the daily needs of the home and
family. Now, with the loss of the spiritual head of the house, the oil had
dwindled. However, the great truth is seen in that only a little of the Holy
Spirit of God is enough when given proper attention, miraculous opportunity and
first place in the home. It is enough to meet any need, solve any problem, and
last for the season to come.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-65513420414964234582023-12-30T21:16:00.004-06:002023-12-30T21:16:32.887-06:00Happy New Year<p></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">Gtcotr/ss123123</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Oh, don’t we hope we have a happy new year? It’s not a given you know.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> If we could only find a way to please God … I’m certain He would help us if people would </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">just</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> please Him.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Micah 6:</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">for</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> my transgression, The fruit of my body </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">for</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> the sin of my soul?</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Today we come to the end of what has been a very difficult year for so many of us here</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and for so many others all around the world. We can only hope and pray that the New Year we are about to enter will be better.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">People tend to use th</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is time</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to make a few New Year’s resolutions. The Bible even encourages us to examine ourselves and take an inventory of our lives so that we might change to be more like Jesus.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> By the way:</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">If the best we can hope for is to be like Jesus, then it stands to reason that the best we can hope for is to be treated like Him. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2024 will be an election year in the United States. Every citizen over the age of 18, if registered to vote, will have the chance to weigh in on who will lead our nation into the future. The elections are already shaping up to be very divided … perhaps the most divided since the civil war. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Europe, the </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Middle-East</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, and Asia are all embroiled in their own wars which may spill out into a World War if we</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> cannot stop the escalation. </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Believe me, no matter how bad it is, people can make it worse.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> nothing is set in stone. Just ask Nineveh … of course you may want to also take a look at Sodom and Gomorrah as well. But even Sodom had a chance. If the messengers of God could have found only 10 righteous people in the city, God would have spared it.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">My goal today is to give you an opportunity to make a commitment to God and to yourselves. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We have a chance to get it right.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">We still have a chance to leave </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">things better than we found them.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">God has given us another chance to participate in the ongoing impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you want to know what you can do to please God? Micah didn’t stop his search until he found out what God wanted. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Micah 6:</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">8 He has shown you, O man, what </span></span><span class="s7" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I have </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">decided</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">to do my part to please God in the coming year. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Each one of us </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is able to</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> adopt new routine</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> and develop new habits.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Would you consider making </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">some Godly </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">commitment</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> along with me </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">which I know will help you and please God? </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> decided to </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">put my commitment</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in writing.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Be it resolved by the grace of God</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in 2024,</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> I </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">commit myself to</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span></p><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Daily Prayer</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will talk to God every day</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in 2024</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will pray for myself and for others </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">each day</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Bible Reading</span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will read from the Word of God each morning.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">keep</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> God’s Word in my heart all day.</span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span></div><p class="s14" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s13" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.4px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></span><span class="s13" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.4px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.6px;">(Bible Project/The Bible – You Version Bible App Plan)</span></span></p><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Church</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will attend Church each week</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> when </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I am </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">able</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will find and fulfill my place of service</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in the Church</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Stewardship</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will honor the Lord with my substance and my increase.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">give from my income and my storehouse as God directs</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Witness</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will remember that I am a light that shines in darkness.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">stay</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> ready to </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">joyfully share</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">my faith in Jesus</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> with others</span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s8" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Life</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will love my family; encourage my friends; forgive my enemies; and be kind to strangers.</span></span></div><div class="s12" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will </span></span><span class="s6" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my Lord.</span></span></div>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312717727980733553.post-8313388930745616132023-12-27T16:43:00.000-06:002023-12-27T16:43:54.250-06:00 Faith for the New Year<p><br /></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px; line-height: 10.8px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 21.6px;">Gtcotr/ws122723</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">My</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> good friend </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">died </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">today. </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This message is in memory of Robert Benlien.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">During the days of the prophet Habakkuk:</span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">It was a tough time in Israel and for the Children of God. </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">This was r</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">oughly 600 years before the birth of Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Judah was in captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem was laid to waste.</span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">How could things </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">have gotten</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> so bad so quickly</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> in his lifetime</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">?</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Habakkuk 1 NKJV</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">1 ¶ The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">3 Why do You show me iniquity, And cause </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">me</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to see trouble? For plundering and violence </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">are</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> before me; There is strife, and contention arises.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Many people</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> felt the same</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> way</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. The prophet Habakkuk did not speak to people on behalf of God like other prophets did … rather … Habakkuk spoke to God </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">as to</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">how he felt about the things going on all around him. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">However, by the end of </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">the book of Habakkuk, we see him writing a song about his faith in God. He finally talked himself </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">right into trusting God.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Have you ever talked to God about something you didn’t understand and ended up defending God’s decisions? Listen to the last words of Habakkuk as he is singing</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to himself</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> about himself</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">, confirming his trust in God</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">. </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Habakkuk 3</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls — </span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">What changed</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> to make this prophet go from </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">talking to God about how bad things were to confessing his confidence in the Lord’s decisions?</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> It certainly wasn’t the circumstances … because things all around him were only getting worse. What changed?</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Habakkuk did … </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Habakkuk means ‘strong embrace’</span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Habakkuk</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> put his faith in God and</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> embraced what he </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">always knew about God</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Listen to what he said to himself … </span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Habakkuk 2 </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">(</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Let’s break this down.)</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Verse 1:</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">I will stand my watch </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And set myself on the rampart,</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Go higher … we see better when we go higher</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And watch to see what He will say to me, </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">And what I will answer when I am corrected.</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Corrected vision … it’s a part of life.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Verse </span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">2</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">it</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Small words but in BIG LETTERS!</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> Advertise the will of God to others.</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Verse 3: </span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">For the vision </span></span><span class="s9" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">is</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"> yet for an appointed time; </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Though it tarries, wait for it; </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Verse </span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">4</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">:</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></p><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">“</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; </span></span></div><div class="s7" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 21.6px;">• </span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">But the just shall live by his faith.</span></span><span class="s8" style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">”</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Romans 1:17</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Galatians 3:11</span></span></div><div class="s11" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: -18px;"><span class="s10" style="font-family: "Courier New"; line-height: 21.6px;">o </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">Hebrews 10:38</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;"></span></span></div><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">In 2024 I will choose to walk by faith and not by sight</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">… I will trust God</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 25.200001px;">.</span></span></p>EZSermons Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02023398473819269326noreply@blogger.com