tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66515882876775773132024-03-12T23:19:05.574-05:00Light Stepstwboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.comBlogger704125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-35845030578666119862021-02-09T13:00:00.002-05:002021-02-09T13:00:18.287-05:00Scared or Sacred?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scared.
Sacred. Do you notice both words use the same letters. It's all a matter of the
"c." Where do you see the "c" in your life?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Scared.
Sacred. You're walking one or the other. Me? Sacred. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
is plenty to fear. <br />
God is to be feared above it all. <br />
Reverent fear of the Lord makes us walk sacred. <br />
Irreverent positioning of self makes us walk scared. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Psalmist wrote, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me
from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4 ESV) Maybe the question is whether we are
seeking the Lord or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Later
on in the same Psalm, we are even told, "Oh, fear the LORD, you his
saints, for those who fear him have no lack!" (Psalm 34:9 ESV) See it?
Fearing the Lord is the answer to provision, without and, especially, within! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
next verse says, "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who
seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:10 ESV) Wow! It's not about
the ignorant boldness of youth, but about the wisdom of seeking God. This is no
thumbing our noses at risk, acting like we are 10 feet tall and bullet proof with
no thought of tomorrow or forever. Seeking the Lord is wiser and more rewarding
than youthful fierceness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Praise
God, this is a learned process! The Psalmist said, "Come, O children,
listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." (Psalm 34:11 ESV) If
it can be taught, it can be learned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
great many individuals -- EVEN WHOLE CONGREGATIONS! -- are walking scared ...
so scared that they have forsaken the mission of the gospel ... so scared that
they have given up the struggles of gathering and growing and serving and
going.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
am more afraid to face the Lord than the trials of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I'm
no young lion, but I am a seeker. I am a learner. The issues we face are
complex, and neither pithiness nor denial can answer these issues, but neither
can running scared. Neither apathy, nor antipathy are the answers. Neither
scorning nor scoffing provide serious solutions. Running and hiding away are
not the answers either. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wise
mitigation. Appropriate reticence. Humble obedience. <br />
Sacred struggle. Childlike trust. Sacrificial service. Loving toil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord...</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtG-Op-ypbqI5LuQd9sYr5Vi3SRUk5xb0ovsXh9w1SsN0pNjUSCVOEzgCIx6w08wnMfbbO6DfFKBnzIc6i5DiNS4mzqK5pOLC3vpx-rzhrA2odRaUpp9g-o33LaZMlxRdTaHvDGPJZ20/s545/Scared+or+Sacred.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtG-Op-ypbqI5LuQd9sYr5Vi3SRUk5xb0ovsXh9w1SsN0pNjUSCVOEzgCIx6w08wnMfbbO6DfFKBnzIc6i5DiNS4mzqK5pOLC3vpx-rzhrA2odRaUpp9g-o33LaZMlxRdTaHvDGPJZ20/s320/Scared+or+Sacred.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-52154338278919294192021-02-09T04:00:00.005-05:002021-02-09T04:00:05.201-05:00That's on you...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That's on you...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One thing that is
missing today is personal responsibility. Along with it, accountability. It's
common in our culture for us to look for someone to blame for whatever happens
to us or for the bad attitudes and habits we develop. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, we don't mind
receiving credit for the positive things in our lives. The Scripture says the
reward for wisdom belongs to us AND the consequence of not being wise is
equally ours to bear. "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you
scoff, you alone will bear it." (Proverbs 9:12 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here is the fact:
a man gains the wage for his work, or lack thereof, and that's true in physical
and spiritual labor (ref. 1 Corinthians 3:8). We increasingly live in a world
where we want something for nothing in the good and no consequence for the bad.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">At some point, a
reckoning will come, and it'll be on each of us to give an account. We'd do
well to learn to praise God when we've seen fit to walk by wisdom and to also
cry out to him when we've been unwise, taking responsibility AND seeking mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YuHlXZlsF1I5YmKUXeIbbQ9FyFeKoUyuH4eMqcauQqdVupuVKv46KWjICtRjdC_iDsR3VT7ItmIVy3EtgV_Vv84PcQ7wikbQ13tgck3Se_DfB1F-BfsUIa5osLOuSCH56F6LTt4jhL8/s1000/responsibility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YuHlXZlsF1I5YmKUXeIbbQ9FyFeKoUyuH4eMqcauQqdVupuVKv46KWjICtRjdC_iDsR3VT7ItmIVy3EtgV_Vv84PcQ7wikbQ13tgck3Se_DfB1F-BfsUIa5osLOuSCH56F6LTt4jhL8/s320/responsibility.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-47382436933388523582021-01-14T04:00:00.006-05:002021-01-14T04:00:00.165-05:00Are you a hypocrite?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Are
you a hypocrite? Are you an actor on the stage of life? Are you a pretender in
this life that is no fantasy?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
our hypocrisy is confronted, are we ready to deal with it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Only
Jesus is found in the New Testament calling people hypocrites. One thing I'm
learning is this: Jesus can rightly call someone a hypocrite because He knows
every human heart perfectly. We can only take a guess, and often an educated
one, but God knows. I've called people hypocrites, and I've been called a
hypocrite. I've been wrong, and I've been right; both in the role of accuser
and accused. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
spiritual heart that is accused simply says to the Lord, with no malice toward
their accuser, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting" (ref: Psalm 139:23-24). Then, that heart trusts God to reveal
truth and move to healing or release from false guilt. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
spiritual heart that accuses an individual trembles in reverent fear, praying
it's an oracle of God, not the folly of the flesh. If it's found to be folly,
that person repents and humbles themselves for repentance and reconciliation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Lord often delivers message to others through us and to us through others. We
MUST be ready to consider if the accusation comes from the Lord. That's what
King David did when Shimei cursed him (ref: 2 Samuel 16:5-14). David said,
"But the king said, 'What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If
he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, "Curse David," who
then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'" (2 Samuel 16:10 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My
point is this, and it's twofold: (1) we ought to tremble with fear if we accuse
an individual or a group of hypocrisy. (2) if we are accused, instead of
blowing up in the face of the person or the idea, we should consider whether
the Lord is trying to break through to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Peace
unto you all, and may the grace and mercy of God visit your every step.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzEKjrpmx7U0fYRYSMjSx-QYa-MfDTDjrWdrozjtxSkaHSGr9kPHzHtBok4a8_urZWUy51xTfdQ5-zaWV9QOceN3wLkzFds984GC1v2tKT4ds-V7f_jh80_0_DiFkaabUtunPHRH2WfQ/s800/official-hierarchy-bosses-duplicity-hypocrisy-official-hierarchy-bosses-subordinates-duplicity-hypocrisy-comic-108064740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzEKjrpmx7U0fYRYSMjSx-QYa-MfDTDjrWdrozjtxSkaHSGr9kPHzHtBok4a8_urZWUy51xTfdQ5-zaWV9QOceN3wLkzFds984GC1v2tKT4ds-V7f_jh80_0_DiFkaabUtunPHRH2WfQ/s320/official-hierarchy-bosses-duplicity-hypocrisy-official-hierarchy-bosses-subordinates-duplicity-hypocrisy-comic-108064740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-64248473381935426642021-01-13T04:00:00.006-05:002021-01-13T04:00:02.269-05:00Our hearts will be wounded.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we
walk in this world, our hearts will get wounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God
is able to lift us, restore us, encourage us, and renew us. He has acted in
love and is Himself love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do
not expect the world to be nice, nor do I expect believers to be perfect, so I
know wounds and pain will come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beloved,
you should know it, too. WHEN it happens, do not lash out, but bow down. Do not
curse and rage, but pray and fast. Seek the Lord; He will be found of you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walk
in wisdom. Act in love. Imitate Jesus. Fast. Pray. Praise. Worship. Do not be
tossed about. Remain stable. Be steadfast; immovable. Abound in the work of the
Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You
therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried
away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in
the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-18 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May
our God of comfort encourage you today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F9cM3bHeBZkr74zOZx91Ydps-mHAl89Wo-ZDVimw3SilPeaAHl0q2y9frg88Ysw4D3KaIxFMnrrnxlS-izdv2gUFwoBNxva5cZKdneXqHaSGwUx4d-c4Ntm_8lJkX5DnIDenaGN9MFQ/s500/Healing-Wounded-Heart-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F9cM3bHeBZkr74zOZx91Ydps-mHAl89Wo-ZDVimw3SilPeaAHl0q2y9frg88Ysw4D3KaIxFMnrrnxlS-izdv2gUFwoBNxva5cZKdneXqHaSGwUx4d-c4Ntm_8lJkX5DnIDenaGN9MFQ/s320/Healing-Wounded-Heart-500x500.jpg" /></a></div><br />twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-74929399653675463472021-01-12T10:39:00.001-05:002021-01-12T10:39:26.979-05:00Want to understand a LOT?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Want
to understand A LOT? Read this:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"But
I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the
flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were
not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the
flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the
flesh and behaving only in a human way?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Many
people cannot be addressed as spiritual people... many are not ready... they
are still of the flesh... they are behaving only in human way. Whoa. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
is why, though multitudes are under the hearing the Word of God, many are not
activated by the Spirit in a walk with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This isn't a long offering, but it explains much about what is going on in our culture.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0TtjBDvAMuAz0o-SuwheuvzzwTTq2BXFZdVlgC-kk9SubXEkBMYzdDrOCcCcS8jN7fP2DHwzX9up-yNCtqP8OE-7thgtqz6WKTBBjnv6yK8897jVV8oP6C1WgqUb5MG2DKbMd3pYnfY/s1024/turtletree-labs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0TtjBDvAMuAz0o-SuwheuvzzwTTq2BXFZdVlgC-kk9SubXEkBMYzdDrOCcCcS8jN7fP2DHwzX9up-yNCtqP8OE-7thgtqz6WKTBBjnv6yK8897jVV8oP6C1WgqUb5MG2DKbMd3pYnfY/s320/turtletree-labs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-36182870217313114842021-01-11T12:13:00.001-05:002021-01-11T12:13:02.973-05:00On the way...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the way...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ultimately, the
brothers of Joseph were headed home to reveal to their father that they had
been the cause of Joseph's supposed death and real disappearance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most likely, as they
traveled, they'd discuss all that had transpired over the many years. In the
minimum, they'd realize and dread the chastisement of their father, Jacob
(a.k.a. Israel). Think about it; I am quite sure those boys would start blame
casting, accusations, arguments, divisions, separations, and such. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In other words, human
nature would take over. Despite the joy of discovering the son together, they
would lose sight of the good news, and they would lose sight of the joy of
their father, and begin to quarrel about the details of their faults or the
levels of their guilt rather than the goodness of Jacob's son, Joseph, and the
joy of their father, Jacob. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Joseph's brothers
were leaving, Joseph said, "Do not quarrel on the way." (Genesis
45:24 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you seen it yet?
This is us!<br /></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our sin nailed the Son
to the cross.<br /></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Son saves us.<br /></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We journey the rest of
our lives to the Father.<br /></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We -- THE CHURCH --
tend to live like Joseph's brothers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why? Human nature
takes over wherever and whenever human nature is not surrendered to the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We need Joseph's
counsel today: "Do not quarrel on the way." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's good advice. Do
not quarrel on the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Their way is our way
too. Those boys were on their way to face their father about how they had
treated his son. We are on our way to THE Father to face Him concerning how we
have treated THE Son. We're on the same way. We're on the way to the Father. Do
not quarrel on the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We face the same
danger along the way. We may fail to rejoice in the Son's goodness. We may fail
to join in the Father's joy. Do not quarrel on the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have the same job
as those boys had. Receive the goodness of the Son as we journey to the Father.
Love the brethren. It's our duty! It's our privilege! It's the Father's joy! Do
not quarrel on the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On your journey, on
your way to the Father, -- and on mine too! -- we must journey with the
brethren. Do not quarrel on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTyxrpLEuFTCziq7p6QzeXsiTUszE3gpLU_uOCbiXjxCYgCQ9CzjecTV8xUqoeV7Z6kmbmzy1NrM_3OGrCTxptPKyJ8xVAbvRCaMZmu04ePCLt-0ngwluy26u8IHSh7C9hsC-npVtqiE/s512/business-meeting-004-512.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTyxrpLEuFTCziq7p6QzeXsiTUszE3gpLU_uOCbiXjxCYgCQ9CzjecTV8xUqoeV7Z6kmbmzy1NrM_3OGrCTxptPKyJ8xVAbvRCaMZmu04ePCLt-0ngwluy26u8IHSh7C9hsC-npVtqiE/s320/business-meeting-004-512.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-74618143400636899482021-01-10T04:00:00.005-05:002021-01-10T04:00:03.085-05:00A liberal sower...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A liberal sower...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of my core values
is to always be about discipleship. When it comes to people, be a disciple of
Jesus in all circumstances. Whether I am discipling someone or being discipled
by someone, I want my dealings with people to be characterized by discipleship.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Any person can be my
teacher, and, likewise, in some way or the other, I can be any person's
teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In conversations, in
every relationship, in small and large interactions, and even on social media,
I want to sow God's word, trusting the Holy Spirit to plow soil, make seed take
root, and bear godly fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love how the writer
of Ecclesiastes said, "In the morning sow your seed, and at evening
withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that,
or whether both alike will be good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV) See it?
Morning or night, sow! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sow all the time! We
don't know what will prosper, so just sow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Thomas Hastings'
hymn, "He That Goeth Forth With Weeping," Hastings wrote of faithful
sowing: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"He that goeth
forth with weeping,<br />
Bearing precious seed in love,<br />
Never tiring, never sleeping,<br />
Findeth mercy from above.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Soft descend the
dews of heaven,<br />
Bright the rays celestial shine;<br />
Precious fruits will thus be given<br />
Through an influence all divine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Sow thy seed; be
never weary;<br />
Let no fears thy soul annoy;<br />
Be the prospect ne’er so dreary,<br />
Thou shalt reap the fruits of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Lo! the scene of
verdure brightening,<br />
See the rising grain appear:<br />
Look again; the fields are whitening,<br />
For the harvest time is near."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't know that I am
a good sower, but I do know I long to be a faithful sower! I want to be known
as generous. I want a liberal output of seed slinging. At any rate, as long as
I sling solid seed, which is the Word of God, the Spirit will do with HIS seed
better than I could ever do!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sow!!! Let's go!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kvpmpgtC2AMWuqvhv1igxKtX8pELDpXgQgtItiHKOAOKHYbFN_TqzA0MSntJX2ZzAmtTKWWRx_-6GQx_s1DCE06-SLJLvSHT_SYXs_orkhap53S38VjAh2_igu4hk_4BTa8-3wjcKss/s2048/d4df490fb9e39d0f1832b695de8ef526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kvpmpgtC2AMWuqvhv1igxKtX8pELDpXgQgtItiHKOAOKHYbFN_TqzA0MSntJX2ZzAmtTKWWRx_-6GQx_s1DCE06-SLJLvSHT_SYXs_orkhap53S38VjAh2_igu4hk_4BTa8-3wjcKss/s320/d4df490fb9e39d0f1832b695de8ef526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-86549106224672582492021-01-09T04:00:00.005-05:002021-01-09T04:00:04.152-05:00Should I get involved?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Should
I get involved? Is it being nosey? Am I being judgmental?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When
we see a believer caught in sin, walloped by Satan, choosing darkness over
light... et cetera and so on... do we get involved? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
general, the answer is "YES!" However, ALWAYS, discernment is
required. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">First,
remember what Paul said to the believers of Galatia: "Brothers, if anyone
is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a
spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
(Galatians 6:1 ESV) Those abiding in Christ, being filled by, and led of the
Spirit are ready to help others. If you are living worldly, don't try to advise
someone else. Repent and believe the gospel in a fresh way yourself; and, then,
help others. I'm not saying not to share truth and show love; I'm saying have a
position of holiness from which to speak on holiness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So,
yes, we are to get involved, but not if we are not filled by, led by, walking
in the Spirit AND abiding in Christ. Got it? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But,
even then, is it up to us to help believers caught in error or sin? Let Brother
James speak on the subject: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from
the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a
sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a
multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
may not be REQUIRED, but we will be BLESSED if we are used of the Lord. Think
on these things...</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2NF8PxgRFdHekUbIboJ1f3VjrYXZzwNW7Ml-xEjl5VaewzdnsQBt1FaHlF1InfsuSjhsGo5jfN7AvSBmA9GMf-gnyWWiFfR7OLEfUm8jPAwF-8lXt5u3K5kWx1qHvATITPPTsoAKqZw/s720/galatians-611-brothersif-anyone-is-caught-in-any-transgression-you-who-are-spiritual-should-re.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2NF8PxgRFdHekUbIboJ1f3VjrYXZzwNW7Ml-xEjl5VaewzdnsQBt1FaHlF1InfsuSjhsGo5jfN7AvSBmA9GMf-gnyWWiFfR7OLEfUm8jPAwF-8lXt5u3K5kWx1qHvATITPPTsoAKqZw/s320/galatians-611-brothersif-anyone-is-caught-in-any-transgression-you-who-are-spiritual-should-re.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><br /></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-52523138628584496302021-01-08T04:00:00.005-05:002021-01-08T04:00:00.188-05:00I'm not perfect....<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm
not perfect...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes,
we use the above phrase as an excuse; sometimes, as an apology. Sometimes, it's
a self-realization, or an inventory. At other times, it's a confession. All the
time, it's a fact. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
know God is not letting up in the work He's doing in me (ref. Philippians 1:6).
I know it's right and wise to join Him in His work in me with every good sense
and all strong effort (ref. Philippians 2:12 and Romans 12:1-2). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But,
why? For some, that's the question. Why work on God's idea of perfect? Simple,
it's His plan for us to be like Jesus (ref. Romans 8:28-29). It's the call to
live Kingdom minded (see Matthew 6:33). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But,
the "why" for me is most sufficiently answered by these words:
"...because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12 ESV)
Because Jesus has made me His own... wow. My life is secure in Him, not because
I'm good, but because He is good to me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How,
then, shall I live? I shall live in response to Him who has made me His own.
I'm not perfect. There, I said it. It is not an excuse, but it can be an
apology...to God...and to man. I know it about me. I freely confess it. It's
true; I'm not perfect. But. I. PRESS. ON! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
just to breathe, but in the high calling...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
just to get by, but to respond to Him who has loved me...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">...to
Him who has made me His own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
just to say I'm trying, but to be more like Jesus...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">...I
press on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I'm
not perfect, but I press on to become perfect. I'm working it out, but only
because He's working in me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
live in response to Him who has made me His own. I press on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"Not
that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make
it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12
ESV)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4SoZm_HDgBShNQipoBIsbiwv2RxDmH8QpByeOKrwnKSNTTOWzi3xoUvj0uPUmXxtKwp-d2-FHv9u4AiA8XWIPvpchesX7Fw7QJWEHOVjSyjaejDIwWc8Bnb26qyFrWU2ifd662QM-c/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV4SoZm_HDgBShNQipoBIsbiwv2RxDmH8QpByeOKrwnKSNTTOWzi3xoUvj0uPUmXxtKwp-d2-FHv9u4AiA8XWIPvpchesX7Fw7QJWEHOVjSyjaejDIwWc8Bnb26qyFrWU2ifd662QM-c/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-26967818682061024952021-01-07T04:00:00.004-05:002021-01-07T04:00:01.513-05:00We need...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
need loving listeners who are ALSO truth tellers...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Too
often, we offer limp friendship. Yes, our friends need listening to, but our
friends don't need lying to. When we fail to speak truth into our friends'
false notions, complaints, opinions, and issues, we might as well be telling an
outright lie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
real friend loves by listening, but a real friend also speaks truth that leads
a friend up to Jesus, not just on into frustration. We need to lament, and a
good friend should be there to listen. However, we also need to come under the
truth, so a real friend pushes us to God. They push us to lay our frustrations
at the altar of God's goodness, yes, but also to receive the life of Jesus in
addressing those frustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Too
many times we urge our friends on in their lamenting and venting, or even add
fuel to their fire, when what we need to be doing is directing one another in
wisdom and peacemaking. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
don't always want to hear truth, nor do we always want to tell it. We want
people on our side; we want people to feel our pain and affirm our
frustrations. A loving listener will consider the person they give ear to, but
they will consider God too. More so, they will not only consider their friend
in the moment, but also in the light of heaven. A loving listener lets us say
whatever we need to say in whatever way we want to say it, but they also speak
the truth of God and doctrines of faith to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Proverbs
27:6 says, "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from
an enemy." (NLT) That's profoundly accurate; it can FEEL like a wound when
a friend speaks needed-to-hear-that-truth to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
especially need loving listeners who love listening to Jesus. We need people to
tell us we are wrong when we are wrong. We need people who will push to believe
and behave in ways that honor God. It is actually a GOOD THING to be rebuked in
ways that push us to God. The Psalmist said, "Let a righteous man strike
me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not
refuse it." (141:5a NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Are
you a loving listener? Are you a truth teller? Do you have loving
listeners in your circle? Are they also truth tellers? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Let
us not surround ourselves with people who treat us like pigs, encouraging us to
wallow in our self-centered mud piles. Let be brave and find friends who will
call us to lift our eyes above the horizon of self. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
especially need loving listeners who love listening to Jesus. We need people to
tell us we are wrong when we are wrong. We need people who will push to believe
and behave in ways that honor God. It is actually a GOOD THING to be rebuked in
ways that push us to God. The Psalmist said, "Let a righteous man strike
me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not
refuse it." (141:5a NLT)?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndfcftQ7OA5mlqgOlbzydRIziXdsm65R0xjMO32jG3GAGXy6ayI_wztiTUyJoZh-lylCGOMIyH9kgaVnViiRnqn1n165v8dTF1tvrWIrUv4ZtObj7HH0kXWv1p3dKu1BEQCG5FbvdZS8/s499/Screen-Shot-2017-05-09-at-7.48.45-AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndfcftQ7OA5mlqgOlbzydRIziXdsm65R0xjMO32jG3GAGXy6ayI_wztiTUyJoZh-lylCGOMIyH9kgaVnViiRnqn1n165v8dTF1tvrWIrUv4ZtObj7HH0kXWv1p3dKu1BEQCG5FbvdZS8/s320/Screen-Shot-2017-05-09-at-7.48.45-AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-19031490574629906972021-01-06T04:00:00.005-05:002021-01-06T04:00:02.428-05:00I keep a close watch...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like
a sea captain of old kept an eye on the stars, I keep a close watch on this
heart of mine...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God
loves you. There’s nothing you can do about that. However, there is much we can
do or not do that will cause us to miss out on experiencing or enjoying His
love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
not that God is narrow; it’s that in a highly broken world, it’s a narrow path
to stay out of the wild, wide mess. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don't
you want to be on the narrow road? I do! Well, that requires a watchful spirit
when it comes to maintaining our confession and abiding in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
the old days, sailors would use a compass and a sextant to navigate by day
--with the sun-- and by night --with the moon and stars. This way, when they
could see and when they couldn't --in light and in darkness-- they could
determine their way. They could stay the course. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Apostle Paul counseled believers in Corinth thus: "Examine yourselves, to
see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this
about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet
the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Beloved,
this isn't about paranoia. Nor does it concern living under the weight of
constant guilt. Neither is this living under the constant judgment of
people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It's
simple... if we want to stay the course, we have to keep our bearings. If we
want to abide, we must be willing to...well...abide! So, we check. We walk the
walk and work the word and stay the course and hold fast. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Spirit of God is our compass and God's word is our sextant. Check the signs!
Keep your eye on the Son! The Bright and Morning Star will never lead you
astray! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It's
no hymn or CCM hit, but Johnny Cash nailed it when he sang, "I keep a
close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time."
For Johnny, it was a love song. It is for me, too, except I'm not singing to my
lady, I'm singing for my soul. Know why? Because I want to stay the course; in
the dark times of life and in the Light that is Jesus, I want to stay the
course. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Help
me, dear Lord, to navigate this raging sea of life. I trust You to always guide
the way. Help me keep my eyes on YOU!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u9XzqW-7mRmNC15UC_aHyTM6s06JSmhIcELDbzPEcWjz422PEXjWKA3AvbcAfIl5RhZxTGC2ivr7H2Izc24aGqILZROb0jGKxpxbjXCvhNpTRDDDWCnWuhvOdcGrmME1bifn3_9JbSU/s620/examine-your-life-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u9XzqW-7mRmNC15UC_aHyTM6s06JSmhIcELDbzPEcWjz422PEXjWKA3AvbcAfIl5RhZxTGC2ivr7H2Izc24aGqILZROb0jGKxpxbjXCvhNpTRDDDWCnWuhvOdcGrmME1bifn3_9JbSU/s320/examine-your-life-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-11841071066540055062021-01-05T04:00:00.002-05:002021-01-05T04:00:02.153-05:00Who we are is revealed by what we do...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who
we are is revealed by what we do...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jesus
would say, "A tree is known by its fruit." (ref. Luke 6:44). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Perhaps
nothing reveals who we really are faster than what we talk about and the
attitude with which we talk about it. Notice how the Proverbs reveals this
truth: "The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of
fools." (15:7, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lips
that spread knowledge are the fruit of a heart that is concerned about wisdom,
and is being driven by something more than self-concern. However, the hearts of
fools are unconcerned and unable to produce the words and works of wisdom
--that is, on a regular basis, you know, because even a blind squirrel finds an
acorn from time to time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And,
what of our hearts? We know we need help! The Apostle Paul saw the totality of
this reality when the Spirit led him to write Romans 7:7-25. Even under the
best of conditions, he saw that HIS MIND knew some things, and even that his
heart wanted the right things most of the time, but, even then, he needed power
to move forward! He said, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24, ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thank
God, in Jesus Christ, there is deliverance...</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPXojbSyTyVwl_vGj8ZgtSD3JNelelYvr4z0SXzKenotseEPwZ4FoUtEDDVAos9egiTgXENgy51MFjH2ekPLjQJo-QCSpb7i5g-ennSegkzvYDn4eAL3ka5n_yNeGrCZS5Cp2M4lKEmw/s736/645c30df073e122bd9d3105beab45be8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPXojbSyTyVwl_vGj8ZgtSD3JNelelYvr4z0SXzKenotseEPwZ4FoUtEDDVAos9egiTgXENgy51MFjH2ekPLjQJo-QCSpb7i5g-ennSegkzvYDn4eAL3ka5n_yNeGrCZS5Cp2M4lKEmw/s320/645c30df073e122bd9d3105beab45be8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-38897132179522743952021-01-04T04:00:00.004-05:002021-01-04T04:00:04.521-05:00Know your calling, and stick to it...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Know your calling, and
stick to it...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To the believers in
Corinth, Paul wrote, "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come
proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I
decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
(1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Believer, YOU have a
ministry. Sure, Paul was an apostle. He was a church planter. One might even
call Paul a missionary. He was certainly an evangelist and a disciple-maker.
Yes, Paul was all those things, but God didn't call you to be Paul. God called
you to be you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just because you are
not Paul does not mean you don't have a ministry. YOU have a ministry. You,
believer, in the minimum are a servant of God. You are a witness to Jesus. You
are a Spirit sealed and Spirit sent worker in the field of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, don't complicate
that. Don't. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You don't have to be
fancy. You don't have to be a Rhodes Scholar. Give people Jesus. Give people
Jesus in your words, in your works, with your character, by your example...give
people Jesus! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, the problem for
many believers is they are so busy being ministers of things of the world that
they have no inclination to be ministers for the Lord. That's why it's critical
we resolve to make Jesus first in our lives; that way, we can help others focus
on nothing by Christ as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep it simple. Give
people Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuPR5-_gI8aKisban_ibt9Qo9TPgoXOHa6o3k0-owdUhyphenhyphenmFDEqgl-i-OHoUoplebWGAd-VDXMFZsz6LhMpRbiHU8eO3sdoN-9BdbYLPoO_0KWxd5xhrDa2R-evDj8b_qSWxk6clFboTI/s1000/keep_it_simple_aug_21_2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuPR5-_gI8aKisban_ibt9Qo9TPgoXOHa6o3k0-owdUhyphenhyphenmFDEqgl-i-OHoUoplebWGAd-VDXMFZsz6LhMpRbiHU8eO3sdoN-9BdbYLPoO_0KWxd5xhrDa2R-evDj8b_qSWxk6clFboTI/s320/keep_it_simple_aug_21_2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-771665515517120662021-01-03T04:00:00.005-05:002021-01-03T04:00:10.429-05:00A lifestyle for a lifetime...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A
lifestyle for a lifetime...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's
not about people loving motorcycles together. It's not about people loving
horses together. It's not about people loving praise music together. It's not
about people loving secret clubs together. It's not about people loving
dressing up together, or not dressing up together. It's not about everyone
loving the organ and a choir together. It's not about loving sports together.
It's not about loving race cars or old cars or campers or tents or beaches or
mountains or lakes together. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
disciples of Jesus Christ, what we ought to hold in common is loving Jesus
together. The gospel is not a call to separate into our hobbies and
preferences. It's a call to be separate from our hobbies and preferences and
surrender wholly unto Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Red,
yellow, black and white, precious and gathered in Jesus' sight! Rich and poor,
Jew and Gentile, from every stripe, all sorts of trades and professions, young
and old, scholars and laborers, city, suburban, and rural people, walking with
Jesus together because HE is what we hold in common; this, beloved, is the
disciples life! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
look at Jesus' basic description of discipleship: "Now great crowds
accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to me and
does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and
sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not
bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you,
desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether
he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is
not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ''This man began
to build and was not able to finish.'' Or what king, going out to encounter
another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able
with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And
if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks
for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that
he has cannot be my disciple.'" (Luke 14:25-33 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
love our distinctions. However, Jesus calls us to make Him our number one
distinction and to forsake all other distinctions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
Jesus had posted the above on Facebook, He would not get many likes. Jesus
demands that HE be number one in our lives. He demands that He become our life
and our lifestyle; His will must become our way because He is the Way, and no
one comes to the Father except through Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
glory of walking with Jesus is that we've counted Him more worthy than ANY
other thing AND also more worthy than EVERY other thing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
beauty of the church is that she is gathered because of Jesus, not because of
hobbies and preferences. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walking
with Jesus is meant to define a disciple’s life, not be an additive to it.
Being a disciple is supposed to be our lifestyle simply because Jesus is our
life, and we are to pursue Him for our lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrL4rlhij9tm93QEy-SwfQ0CBmmWH6H8ta-cXRjxfgoa0UhtCSKo_8yNZenJ9RZbm6RY21brOo0t9ez0aF-B_D7KPqocr0OMcbSUdjECg_KtFU9S5bigANRsElTEJn7XjiZZ0JEWDSwM/s750/carrying-cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrL4rlhij9tm93QEy-SwfQ0CBmmWH6H8ta-cXRjxfgoa0UhtCSKo_8yNZenJ9RZbm6RY21brOo0t9ez0aF-B_D7KPqocr0OMcbSUdjECg_KtFU9S5bigANRsElTEJn7XjiZZ0JEWDSwM/s320/carrying-cross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-48457827413168118102021-01-02T04:00:00.006-05:002021-01-02T04:00:05.219-05:00Check out the process...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">Check
out the process...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First,
grab your Bible and slowly read Proverbs 2. After that, come back and start
reading below. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make
"...your ear attentive to wisdom..." (Proverbs 2:2a ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Incline
"...your heart to understanding..." (Proverbs 2:2b ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"For
the Lord gives wisdom..." (Proverbs 2:6a ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Then
you will understand..." (Proverbs 2:9a ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"So
you will be delivered..." (Proverbs 2:16a ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"So
you will walk in the way of good..." (Proverbs 2:20a ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"For
the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in
it..." (Proverbs 2:21 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So
much of the American experience is designed for constant consumerism. So much
of the American experience is designed for us to constantly be doing something
-- surfing the web, watching a show, playing a game, texting, Kicking it,
Snapchatting, looking at a magazine, chatting with a friend, taking a selfie,
shopping, playing...some of it useful, for sure, and a great amount of it
simply being distraction to the soul. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
we really need to do is slow down our minds and our hearts and seek wisdom. It
takes some time and intention to abide in Christ. To seek wisdom from God often
means to lay down some things of lesser importance and actually get into God's
Word, sit before Him in prayer, have deep discussions, enjoy personal worship,
etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More
than that, we need to cut down the chatter in our hearts. Get still. Wait upon
the Lord. The process of seeking wisdom and gaining it's reward is indeed worth
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s1-wXrM6iB-QbnWOffgPNGNOXBdk41IGKMjeGdKYJunr1fI1GTT8xU0qZ8eIdQlVKP7kHxyMymTbRnGTmT1arQyVFThDvzjeWYEVIDa1V6RLB0Gdtd_C4vVk8vrD61M4PmxLrrLDWUk/s1608/118415-116400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s1-wXrM6iB-QbnWOffgPNGNOXBdk41IGKMjeGdKYJunr1fI1GTT8xU0qZ8eIdQlVKP7kHxyMymTbRnGTmT1arQyVFThDvzjeWYEVIDa1V6RLB0Gdtd_C4vVk8vrD61M4PmxLrrLDWUk/s320/118415-116400.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-76491758060149070832021-01-01T04:00:00.007-05:002021-01-01T04:00:00.185-05:00Losing hope?<p><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span>Losing hope? </p><div dir="auto">Get in the word of God. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 ESV)</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">See that? </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"...whatever was written in former days..." -- all of the Old Testament and the New Testament.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"...was written for our instruction..." -- to teach us! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"...and through the encouragement of the Scriptures..." -- to buoy our hearts! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"...through endurance..." -- as we hold on to God and allow His word to light the path of our way. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">"...we might have hope." -- we will see what IS hope and what IS NOT hope, and that we might fix our eyes on HIM who is the only hope for those seeking hope. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Many of us have no hope because are hoping in things through which there is no hope. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Many of my brothers and sisters are losing hope because we are not enduring in and according to the Scriptures. Seek hope in Jesus! Search the Scriptures! Stay in God's word! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Let God remind you of the great hope that is in Jesus!</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvesFlQQbOMvhK097pzLSgej0p36S6M-30FOh89tyzEGL_zR8qO49ydr5gGxUK_WKrJgdyHVnRmDXf4JR9cW9ftUxpClHsxFOq1azz07Y_uIlnL6p9t2nl1FqXWKMP-n4JrxbPbw9IA3g/s1280/1280x1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvesFlQQbOMvhK097pzLSgej0p36S6M-30FOh89tyzEGL_zR8qO49ydr5gGxUK_WKrJgdyHVnRmDXf4JR9cW9ftUxpClHsxFOq1azz07Y_uIlnL6p9t2nl1FqXWKMP-n4JrxbPbw9IA3g/s320/1280x1280.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto"><br /></div>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-46548978356656001352020-12-31T04:00:00.006-05:002020-12-31T04:00:06.282-05:00Blessings of marking the way...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Blessings of marking
the way…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Israel was taken
into captivity, the Prophet Jeremiah said, “Set up road markers for yourself;
make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you
went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities.” (Jeremiah 31:21
ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The point of this was
that Israel might find their way back. The prophet knew their exile would be 3
½ generations long – 70 years! They would forget their way in the time of the
exile. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes, it doesn’t
take 70 years. Sometimes, 70 minutes is long enough for us to forget our way.
Sometimes, 70 seconds is all it takes for us to lose our way. Whether moments,
minutes or months, we need to get back to God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Waymarkers are a
blessing in that regard. When we establish markers along our spiritual journey,
they always help us find our way when we are confused or wandering. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example, in our
local church, whenever we baptize someone, we give them a candle. The other
day, I walked in my daughter’s room and there, prominently on a shelf, sat her
candle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Israel of old would
set up altars of sacrifice and worship. They’d also set up stones of
remembrance; each of these stones was called an “ebenezer”, which means “stone
of remembrance.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We get a beloved hymn
from one such ebenezer raising as recorded in 1 Samuel 7: “As Samuel was
offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But
the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and
threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of
Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far
as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and
Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the LORD has helped
us.’” (1 Samuel 7:10-12 ESV) Thus the hymn-writer, Robert Robinson, wrote “Here
I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by Thine help I’ve come, and I hope, by Thy good
pleasure, safely to arrive at home.” And, Amen, I say! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Besides showing us our
way back when we are wandering, waymarkers serve three other wonderful
purposes: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. They make us
remember what God has done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. They cause us to
express gratitude. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. They give a path to
those who come after. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We do well to
remember. We do well to mark what God has done. America, for example, has so
divorced herself from the life of faith that our nation often sets up
waymakers, such as memorials, but she fails to give God the glory or the
credit, so the remembrances don’t encourage us to come back to God or to thank
God. Such things mark our history as secular and cause us to be thankful for
the (supposed) strength of man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be that as it may,
what of your life? What are your stones of remembrance? What do you celebrate?
How do you remember? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You do well to
remember! You had better remember!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sit down today and
recount what God has done in your life. Remember! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps you are away
from the Lord, or not where you want to be with Him. Return again to the Lord!
Remember!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Learn to tell your
story and mark your way. Learn to remember God’s goodness to you. Keep it fresh
in your mind and in your heart. For example, I’ve been clean, dry and sober for
8,320 days today. To that I say, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by God’s
help I’m come.” When I remember that, I remember that’s how many days I’ve been
living as a disciple of Jesus. I was called into vocational ministry on January
4, 2000. I don’t forget that. I remember the day I started at Berry’s Grove,
Youth For Christ and East Rock. I remember the exact day we switched from YFC
to MLM. I remember my kids’ birthdays and the days they were born. I remember
my wedding day. I remember a day in September 2003 when I understood the Holy
Spirit in a fresh way. I remember the day both my girls surrendered to Jesus
and I remember baptizing them (in the coldest water ever!). I remember so many
days where God graciously supplied our needs at My Life Matters. On and on and
on…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m marking my way! I
remember! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fact is, I'm writing
this today and here again is another </span>Ebenezer<span style="font-size: 12pt;">. Hither by God's help I'm come.
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj-UoiBzTEwKdUVZYCDDb5s6fs8OHuNpUkSosuyrH3orUCXtE4q7hnGDu9ADtVHkyCxIYTOBdI3ymLTr46tSLHsN6UQxcOtJhAScZQPvHv4KAtqKC2eCD2KPE-hqD-1BKtMYiz8q5kqA/s1024/72620689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj-UoiBzTEwKdUVZYCDDb5s6fs8OHuNpUkSosuyrH3orUCXtE4q7hnGDu9ADtVHkyCxIYTOBdI3ymLTr46tSLHsN6UQxcOtJhAScZQPvHv4KAtqKC2eCD2KPE-hqD-1BKtMYiz8q5kqA/s320/72620689.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-32915161043127312712020-12-30T04:00:00.013-05:002020-12-30T04:00:05.097-05:00Think about how well you'd fit in heaven...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Think
about how well you'd fit in heaven...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You
wouldn't. Let me go ahead and tell you. Sorry / not sorry. This truth burns,
but, wait, it also blesses...then challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For
those who believe on the name of Jesus and receive Him, we are given the right
to become sons and daughters of God. We are hidden in Jesus now, and there will
come a time when we will experience a full transformation and receive a new
body, a heavenly frame.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Even
now, for believers, while we are still trotting this big ball of planet known
as earth, God is shaping us into the image of His Son. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">IF
anyone would / could / should understand not deserving our position, it should
be we Christians. We ought to get it! We are not heavenly; we are not celestial
beings! We are mere blood and bone; we are dust, animated not by biology, but
by the will of God -- born spiritually dead; in need of the miracle of
spiritual birth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We've
gotten what we've never deserved in place of what we clearly deserve. It's by
GRACE we are saved! It's nothing we can brag on about ourselves. We are left
only room to brag on God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So,
my beloved brothers and sisters, hear my heart...what's our problem? Why are
hearts not tender? Why do we forget grace? Why do we struggle to include others
who don't belong when we ourselves have been included where we don't
belong? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
know, I know...we are scared. I get it. There are a lot of scary things going
on in the world. Think about it, though, God didn't only risk Himself for us;
He GAVE Himself for us!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do
you want to know why my heart can receive those different than me?
This..."Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so
that God will be given glory." (Romans 15:7 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So,
poorer than me...richer, too...I'm widening my heart for you. Darker than
me...lighter, too...I'm widening my heart for you.Smarter than me...same as
me...I'm widening my heart for you. Different language than me...English
speaker, too...I'm widening my heart for you. Same God as me...you claim
another or none...I'm widening my heart for you. Whoever you are, wherever
you are...I'm widening my heart for you. God is making it a 1,000 lane
super-highway; He is making it wide for all that He loves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I've
never belonged on my own
accord...<br />... or skill...<br />... or genealogy...<br />... or character...<br />... or affluence...<br />... or influence...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
was brought in. By grace, I was invited and received. Mercy made a way for
me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Who
am I not to at least attempt to extend the same courtesy? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I'm
widening my heart for you. Widen yours for me too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi9Og8LjlUF_jNIvq-qOX4bmlrATluYobckQYnFtTBdxWRkAc6BSZcOHDSuxiDXW3zt-WqoFvS4r1z6bJPuLIiWXZ9muD2bDCWQE1uqrNuztwGKPHBppeNzgB7QbK7aOCP190DkhcDws/s2048/hero-cards_GiftofGrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi9Og8LjlUF_jNIvq-qOX4bmlrATluYobckQYnFtTBdxWRkAc6BSZcOHDSuxiDXW3zt-WqoFvS4r1z6bJPuLIiWXZ9muD2bDCWQE1uqrNuztwGKPHBppeNzgB7QbK7aOCP190DkhcDws/s320/hero-cards_GiftofGrace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-54478746621556707872020-12-29T04:00:00.009-05:002020-12-29T04:00:04.327-05:00Not fit for consumption...<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not fit for
consumption...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is a curious turn
of phrase (times two!) worth investigation: "Ephraim mixes himself with
the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned." (Hosea 7:8 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first part of this
verse -- "mixes himself with the peoples" -- is a simple
condemnation. It doesn't mean racial mixing, or mixing of the classes. It means
Israel has forsaken the uniqueness of her calling as people of holiness in the
Law by adopting pagan practices of the people around them. Israel did not
maintain their God-commanded purity and peculiarity. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That leads to
understanding about the second part of the verse; "Ephraim is a cake not
turned." That means half-cooked and not fit for consumption. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The result is plainly
stated by Hosea: "Strangers devour his strength, and he knows it not; gray
hairs are sprinkled upon him, and he knows it not." (Hosea 7:9 ESV) Hosea
is saying Israel has gotten older and weaker and doesn't even know it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Israel needs is
God, and it's right there in Israel's face and they are so consumed with
worldliness that they cannot see what is plainly before them. Hosea continues,
"The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the
LORD their God, nor seek him, for all this." (7:10 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Israel is no good for
themselves and is no good for those around them. Having forsaken their
uniqueness, Israel is giving a cloudy image of God and presenting a confusing
message about Him. (The good thing is God can hold His own reputation!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, just sit back and
look a the Church in America (and Europe, for that matter). The same could be
said of her! Half baked! Not fit for consumption! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, before y'all blow
up, you know there are exceptions. You know there are many strong believers and
many strong congregations, but the whole is weak, mixed up, and worldly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We need to see
ourselves for what we have become and seek God for revival. We need it! And I
don't mean a warm fuzzy feeling that comes after some "good
services," but a whole-hearted return to holiness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the Church has
her uniqueness, she is good for her, brings glory to God, and good for those
around her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't look out of the
window before looking in the mirror. Are you half-baked? Is your family so
mixed with the world that you can't tell y'all are "Christian"
without seeing fish and crosses on your possessions? Is your local church
half-baked? (Are you even faithful to the local church?) Is your denomination
or association worldly?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whew... tough
questions. Are we brave enough to ask and answer?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZhAa-GOqMTO06EEAg5ZJdc_LoJFOvSz2yZv0REFTSwjRnWnZImaMEwRd9KiiwjiqUtZbQY5EK-t0gwv277ye4ts8ym91xkau56hu9G5ksb0N7VEMBiC9GJ12S-Ddjy2FSnRirKnNyeA/s968/61iWZj8QI1L._AC_SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="968" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZhAa-GOqMTO06EEAg5ZJdc_LoJFOvSz2yZv0REFTSwjRnWnZImaMEwRd9KiiwjiqUtZbQY5EK-t0gwv277ye4ts8ym91xkau56hu9G5ksb0N7VEMBiC9GJ12S-Ddjy2FSnRirKnNyeA/s320/61iWZj8QI1L._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-77034069349634006712020-12-28T04:00:00.005-05:002020-12-28T04:00:06.112-05:00"You're so vain..."<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You're so vain..."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, that is what Carly Simon wrote and sang. To be vain,
on a personal level, means to think too highly of one's abilities, appearance
or worth. But, there's a deeper problem to be realized in the danger of vanity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Biblically speaking, to be vain means something that has no
godly purpose or produces no godly result.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's why one of the Ten Commandments commands adherents to
not take the name of the Lord "...in vain..." (Exodus 20:7). As the
New Living Translation says, "You must not misuse the name of the LORD
your God..." Do not use God's name in some way that has no godly purpose
or in some way that does not produce some godly result.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow, how much of life could be called "vain"? More
than we are comfortable to admit, I'd say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon comes to a
startling realization: "All is vanity!" (1:2b) Solomon had come to
learn that life without godly purpose or godly result is simply vanity. Solomon
explains and testifies for chapter after chapter of the things one can do in
life that mean nothing without godly results as their motivation. Finally,
Solomon reaches a conclusion: "The end of the matter; all has been heard.
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
(Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV) Those things are not vain! They will produce
something!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Citing Isaiah and Ezekiel, Jesus said, "This people
honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they
worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew
15:8-9 ESV, citing Isaiah 29:13 and Ezekiel 33:31) You see, dear friend, Jesus
understood some claimed to worship God, but it was to no godly result. He
warned us against the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Bible is full of warnings and results of a life lived in
vain, and a life filled with purpose and godly result. We were made for the
latter; we were made for a life of purpose and godly result. We were not made
to live in vanity, thinking too much of ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, beloved, we were made for God's good pleasure, to
produce God's good results. Anything less is vain. Are you so vain? Praise God,
choose purpose...choose Him...choose this day who you will serve...God is
good...you were made to fill a purpose!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dB84hZh-IIjcwZNkZx47PBrTgBTV7zojrfsTIqJX03M_gRchPz4y09Rjgjrn5P17YAxjvoI5P_Rm1MaKkiS5JVpruWXYmiIv-C7VePC-P6GlimwK3MZB_HhrsYTPbBRpVYzm4qTuw-Y/s478/vain-vane-vein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dB84hZh-IIjcwZNkZx47PBrTgBTV7zojrfsTIqJX03M_gRchPz4y09Rjgjrn5P17YAxjvoI5P_Rm1MaKkiS5JVpruWXYmiIv-C7VePC-P6GlimwK3MZB_HhrsYTPbBRpVYzm4qTuw-Y/s320/vain-vane-vein.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-15507844851510966512020-12-23T04:00:00.004-05:002020-12-23T04:00:05.507-05:00If the field's not ready, don't waste the seed...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">If
the field's not ready, don't waste the seed...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Do
not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your
words." (Proverbs 23:9 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of
this verse, the ESV Study Bible says, "The problem is not the fool’s lack
of intelligence but his obstinacy." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's
start here: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm
14:1a ESV; and the same words again in Psalm 53:1) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's
then go here: " For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the
one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. In the pride of his face the
wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm
10:3-4 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Should
we then not witness to a person who does not believe in God? That's not what
I'm saying. We proclaim Jesus, and trust Him with results. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There's
something else here; when people adamantly claim they do not believe in God, we
are left to pray, for our biblical counsel and words of testimony about the
Lord are at best ignored, and often the source of anger. That person will not
see your words as "good sense." Often, they will even scoff and mock.
[It is strange to think that people who say they don't believe in God can be so
angry at Him...] In Proverbs 9:7, the writer says, "Whoever corrects a
scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs
injury."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That
being said, let us operate in wisdom, not in emotions. When we discover our words
are being despised, simply understand what is going on without it tossing your
heart about in anger or other un-useful responses. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then,
pray. Ask God to soften hearts. Ask Him to plow the soil and prepare it for
seed. Then, pray some more, and wait on the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz9daIqdCTaIuWAZZQ0TsurwllUhhiDkeruVIyXUFTpI_ecqVQ0i9bqbxkUwxjisosB6WCVBKpQ4D8qjJSHsZj9cIobPYhB_cbTSWpieVmvZZU6OgwXgTSfgJH0q7EcotTllh7So19_8/s669/488615811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="669" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz9daIqdCTaIuWAZZQ0TsurwllUhhiDkeruVIyXUFTpI_ecqVQ0i9bqbxkUwxjisosB6WCVBKpQ4D8qjJSHsZj9cIobPYhB_cbTSWpieVmvZZU6OgwXgTSfgJH0q7EcotTllh7So19_8/s320/488615811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-77240526668270983882020-12-22T04:00:00.006-05:002020-12-22T04:00:02.283-05:0015 minutes after sulfur and fire...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">15
minutes after sulfur and fire...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God gave me a powerful dream during a nap once. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
dream was of real estate signs in Sodom about 15 minutes after the following:
"Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD
out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the
inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground." (Genesis 19:24-25
ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Think
about it... how much was the land worth before God judged the city? How much
was it worth after? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
world RIGHT NOW is no different. Many of us are renting space in Sodom, and it
is assessed value now, but judgement is coming, and 15 minutes later to dust
and ashes that remain will be worthless. And it will be all many investors
have, and even that memories. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What
will be standing after Judgment Day? The Church of the Living God will be
standing! The Saints hidden in Christ Jesus! All that is sealed by the Spirit
will be standing! The Word of the Lord will stand forever! Love will NEVER pass
away! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do
we have property in those places? Are we citizens of what will last? Is our
hope of joy planted in these eternal fields?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">15
minutes after sulfur and fire, Sodom was not worth a plug-nickel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One
day God is going to set fire to all creation. Whew! If leveling Sodom and
Gomorrah is a shock, and to me it is, then how about the whole world? WOW! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
like how the paraphrase called "The Living Bible" puts 2 Peter
3:3-13. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">3
First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will come scoffers who
will do every wrong they can think of and laugh at the truth. 4 This will be
their line of argument: “So Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is
he? He’ll never come! Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has
remained exactly as it was since the first day of creation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"5-6
They deliberately forget this fact: that God did destroy the world with a
mighty flood long after he had made the heavens by the word of his command and
had used the waters to form the earth and surround it. 7 And God has commanded
that the earth and the heavens be stored away for a great bonfire at the
judgment day, when all ungodly men will perish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"8
But don’t forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is
like tomorrow to the Lord. 9 He isn’t really being slow about his promised
return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the
good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving
more time for sinners to repent. 10 The day of the Lord is surely coming, as
unexpectedly as a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a terrible
noise, and the heavenly bodies will disappear in fire, and the earth and
everything on it will be burned up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"11
And so since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives
we should be living! 12 You should look forward to that day and hurry it
along—the day when God will set the heavens on fire, and the heavenly bodies will
melt and disappear in flames. 13 But we are looking forward to God’s promise of
new heavens and a new earth afterwards, where there will be only
goodness."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWecCQzisZuwCu1R6CV4r3lzglzt6dF7s8Jj3QJOaAWE-EkJh1zXK_yjVDiu7ZaGJehsNE45_qtjiy8rxdLpIAYc8dSGxa4jnrUHegd8f_Bmcu-KJrQoCYx87akSTAEoY5X4u5EUov3Kg/s1344/1439251104_preview_City_on_fire_by_BigELover88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWecCQzisZuwCu1R6CV4r3lzglzt6dF7s8Jj3QJOaAWE-EkJh1zXK_yjVDiu7ZaGJehsNE45_qtjiy8rxdLpIAYc8dSGxa4jnrUHegd8f_Bmcu-KJrQoCYx87akSTAEoY5X4u5EUov3Kg/s320/1439251104_preview_City_on_fire_by_BigELover88.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-17654110794221989582020-12-21T04:00:00.007-05:002020-12-21T04:00:05.398-05:00Whenever you are wondering what to do with yourself...<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Whenever you are
wondering what to do with yourself...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I like to use a big
tablespoon when I eat. The other night, I was breaking up ice with one of my
favorite tablespoons. Later on, I was thinking about scooping out some cat food
with that same spoon. I paused. I know I can wash it...I mean, right? I know I
can. But, I didn't scoop the cat food. I just shook the little pouch till it
all came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Would I scrape mud off my
boots with that spoon? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Would I shovel dirt with
it? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Will I stir paint with
that spoon? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Would I use it to get my
phone out of the toilet?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How far is too far with
something that is set aside for something else?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Believers, what are we
set apart for? What do we do with our members? What is going too far? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we surrendered to
God, He set us apart. Discover what for. Surely, it's not for common use.
Surely, it's not for base living.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paul said, "I am
speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you
once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to
more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness
leading to sanctification." (Romans 6:19 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Meditate these things
with me, brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqgvuiGFeuIhyn9jC091frYiiHV_YmlZ1hjb80B5MwpM89E4xdEwocQRKRTX64Ub4st35w4yo0SRQpacDaJS0IegMyR9fF_DaNU3o7FkB99342TaP4b3eY_aOjuAtQuZJugPP2Cgk4a4/s1200/main-qimg-af92ef6e67cd7a6c6d7c914945844ca9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqgvuiGFeuIhyn9jC091frYiiHV_YmlZ1hjb80B5MwpM89E4xdEwocQRKRTX64Ub4st35w4yo0SRQpacDaJS0IegMyR9fF_DaNU3o7FkB99342TaP4b3eY_aOjuAtQuZJugPP2Cgk4a4/s320/main-qimg-af92ef6e67cd7a6c6d7c914945844ca9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-26864261532174924472020-12-20T04:00:00.005-05:002020-12-20T04:00:03.096-05:00"But, I wanna..."<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But, I
wanna..."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's face it, we
often do not love obedience. We often resist. We often stiffen our necks. We
may not kick and scream outwardly, but, if we're honest, we have that inner,
petulant child that resists everything not resembling our immediate desire for
ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look at the entire
life of Old Testament Israel. She often acted like a petulant child, even
outwardly. No less, the church and most of us act the same today. We may not
outwardly shake our fist at heaven and curse God, yet we also resist obeying
God. We may not say, "I don't love God and will not obey Him," but
most of our actions, in the face of His commands are this expression:
"But, I wanna..." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It would be humorous
were it not so tragic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look at the very
meaning of the word "Deuteronomy;" it means "second law."
God gave the Law of Moses to Israel and Deuteronomy is Him saying it again.
It's almost like God saying, "Listen here, and don't try to tell Me I
didn't tell you." God says, "...keep the commandments of the Lord
your God..." (Deuteronomy 8:6). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simple, right? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IF you have read this
far, good on you... here comes the good stuff. IF we could only get a vision of
what God is ultimately doing, we'd get a vision for obedience. Read on in
Deuteronomy 8...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"For the LORD
your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of
fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat
and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and
honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will
lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig
copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God
for the good land he has given you." (Deuteronomy 8:7-10 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God asks nothing of
people for no reason. He has GOOD plans. HE is a GOOD FATHER! God calls us to
obedience because He is leading us to something better than we would have
chosen for ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let me say that again:
God calls us to obedience because He is leading us to something better than we
would have chosen for ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All the "But, I
wanna..." in the world, whether stated with words or actions, is not only
rebellion, but counterproductive the good purposes God has for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Open God's word. Walk
in His ways. Watch Him bless you! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNKb41CnoyE-add4vrxam8_JT0Nc_3_I7DLyiO2P5-bisSrH4xiJfsumsmPeLVo1o01nGAfiLjJwM3-rRFzpo1zJpmqqUR2lkfwHsYkHagKdckTlZjkiyZAnY1p-x-A6FPtkHdLsaLPY/s1000/507597_0b1d457f-20a6-4d3a-a99e-6b1404b67031_1200x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNKb41CnoyE-add4vrxam8_JT0Nc_3_I7DLyiO2P5-bisSrH4xiJfsumsmPeLVo1o01nGAfiLjJwM3-rRFzpo1zJpmqqUR2lkfwHsYkHagKdckTlZjkiyZAnY1p-x-A6FPtkHdLsaLPY/s320/507597_0b1d457f-20a6-4d3a-a99e-6b1404b67031_1200x.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651588287677577313.post-14311439164218357022020-12-19T04:00:00.005-05:002020-12-19T04:00:05.122-05:00Thick skin and a tender heart...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thick skin and a
tender heart...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First off, in any
conflict, a believer is not excused from Christlikeness until the scrap is
concluded. Nor is a believer allowed to stop living by faith during conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">King David's conflict
impulse was right when he said, "Contend, O LORD, with those who contend
with me; fight against those who fight against me!" (Psalm 35:1 ESV) David
put the conflict in God's hands. That does not mean we stand in front of a
coming spear, but it does mean to keep trusting God in the midst of conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know, I know...the
problem with putting it in God's hands is settling for His timing and His
conclusion. Yes, that is the hard part, but that is the work of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Secondly, to be blunt,
we need thick skin. We need to not let peoples' words get at us so quickly or
so deeply. God does often use people to get His messages to us, but those
messages will agree with the truth of God, so there's the measure. However,
when it's just the words of people --when it's just their thoughts issued through
their venom-- we need to get thick skin. King David said, "But at my
stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me;
wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; like profane mockers
at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth." (Psalm 35:15-16 ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If God didn't say it
or if it doesn't agree with God or if it isn't helpful and logical and just,
just let it roll off your back like water off a duck. Don't let it penetrate
your skin and get to your heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lastly, and most
importantly, though a tough skin is needed when dealing with people, a tender
heart is necessary to walk with God. The danger of having a hard heart is that
it puts us at odds with God, and none of us wants that! The Proverb writer
said, "Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens
his heart will fall into calamity." (Proverbs 28:14 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When our hearts are
tender before the Lord, we are open to being led by the Spirit, but when we
harden our hearts, we shut God out of our inner man. When we shut God out of
our inner man, we begin to be led by other voices, led by unfamiliar spirits,
led by our own flesh, or led about by the whims and approval of other people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many times, conflict
is the opening place for our flesh to take over. This is why we need to
maintain both a thick skin towards people and a tender heart towards God at all
times!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beloved friends, let
us be tender towards God! May His every movement fill us with delight and
purpose! May we walk by faith!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3rx9k9RpLPhTcgpS_344JVp7zFTyptRR76-0lytiOxVwDKqtSUFpITJNxLEehwqoKGtnb5qwM2aGZ1Qfi21UI3wbyztfnAo-IjDjTIcHfDa2F1FN9gEvvshbH0kYKWXcGZB9dsimMrM/s1020/Rhino_Hero_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3rx9k9RpLPhTcgpS_344JVp7zFTyptRR76-0lytiOxVwDKqtSUFpITJNxLEehwqoKGtnb5qwM2aGZ1Qfi21UI3wbyztfnAo-IjDjTIcHfDa2F1FN9gEvvshbH0kYKWXcGZB9dsimMrM/s320/Rhino_Hero_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>twboweshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08299998125388663225noreply@blogger.com0