tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13216758599565660042024-03-13T00:09:50.257-04:00Beyond the Hill...These are the musings, the stories, and the conclusions of a pastor and young adult ministry leader who has begun to contemplate everything from the backside of 60.Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-8519601157690953602024-02-11T11:04:00.000-05:002024-02-11T11:04:46.118-05:00Help! My Kid Left the Church! (or the Journey of Deconstruction and Reconstruction)<p><span style="font-family: times;">It is the cry of desperate parents that I hear most often. And with all of the scary things our kids can get involved in, it is indeed a valid concern when our kids seemingly seem to "lose their faith". Yet, often, it isn't quite as bad as our minds and imaginations may at first tell us. With some understanding and adjustments on our part, I believe that there is hope for this generation of emerging adults on their faithing journey. Let's start with where they are developmentally.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-glaLESSdvvQW_4Jhi6m_Jt-iSy0mzKZu1YRWNC6gPUUWsoe42yOvJw5bP4TMQRieDXkTbhhT6UpnNOdBbyHPhu2Fa7mK_reTr-WZOG_Df05mVvf9j2UqS_bnilc6eT4azyoDI9zsV4xX-Ts9z1lR2XuQhJbX6XeFF3iHdpiZ1u5Oon5AiJbwevOe4g/s8000/Faithing%20Now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="8000" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-glaLESSdvvQW_4Jhi6m_Jt-iSy0mzKZu1YRWNC6gPUUWsoe42yOvJw5bP4TMQRieDXkTbhhT6UpnNOdBbyHPhu2Fa7mK_reTr-WZOG_Df05mVvf9j2UqS_bnilc6eT4azyoDI9zsV4xX-Ts9z1lR2XuQhJbX6XeFF3iHdpiZ1u5Oon5AiJbwevOe4g/w376-h211/Faithing%20Now.jpg" width="376" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">One of the most common parts of one’s faithing journey, typically occurring sometime in the late teens and throughout the decade of one’s twenties, is the process of deconstructing everything one has been taught about God, about life and about faith. They are carefully and thoughtfully sifting through those pieces that have been useful to them, as well as those damaging to them. Deconstruction often occurs at the intersection of the late teens and early twenties as many come to a realization, perhaps for the first time, that they have personal agency that allows them to choose who they are going to be or not going to be. And it often happens, at least in my observation, anecdotally, at a point of crisis in faith. Suddenly something doesn’t work the way their Sabbath School or Sunday School teachers told them it would. A friend gets murdered or commits suicide. A major breakup from one they were engaged to. The death of a parent when they prayed hard. Or perhaps they have “tried God” and found Him to be “too rigid” for their emerging beliefs. Whatever it is, they suddenly announce that they are done with God.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Many, in seeking freedom from an oppressive, legalistic system they may have grown up in, often throw the Baby out with the bathwater, as they deconstruct any God out of their journey and insert reason in His place. This is not new, yet when it is your loved one, it does cause days of hand-wringing, blame-casting, disagreements which escalate to angry arguments and riven relationships.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">And these are understandable when a parent has already set their course towards God, and want more than anything else for their children to do the same. Especially since, out of their own faithing journey of deconstruction and reconstruction, they may have experienced some hard bumps and major pain from mistakes they made along the way, and they are only wanting to naturally save the child from the pain and hopelessness they may have endured. But reasoning, cajoling, arguing, demanding or breaking down in tears after fits of rage seldom do anything to bring that child back around. Often, it ends up pushing them further out the other way. They might roll their eyes and exclaim in exasperation—“you just don’t understand” as they walk out the door and slam it…again…on the way out. Or, if they can’t escape the household, or they are of passive temperament, they may just lapse into a non-communicative stare and avoid any confrontation by withdrawing.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">If you find yourself there, don’t beat yourself up too much. You didn’t beat yourself up when they got their growth spurt in their teens, did you? As you watched their physical bodies mature into adult bodies, you weren’t wringing your hands in anguish, because you recognized it as a normal part of growing up. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Did you know that as much as their bodies changed between ages 6-18, their brains actually change that much and more between the ages of 14 and 25. The difference is, you can’t actually see it happening. You “hear” it happening. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thoughts they might have as they are sifting through broken pieces. Things that they may need to unlearn that are harmful to their image of God. Trying to make sense of a world that is non-sensical…all of these provide fodder for thoughts you may take as foreign and damaging. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">And in your haste to correct their thoughts, rather than listening carefully to understand where they are, and perhaps asking thoughtful questions to help them process, many will make hasty blanket statements like, “Well as long as you are under my roof”…”or as long as I’m paying your bills”…or well, you get the idea. And the whole thing escalates until neither is talking to each other, and mutual love and respect is diminished.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Well, thanks for all of this positivity Pastor, this isn’t helping a lot. Keep reading.<br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Let me remind you that after Deconstruction comes Reconstruction. That is, they are processing the question: what pieces am I going to hold onto as I build my life for the future? What are the things I want in my life? Here is where both the difficulty and the challenge lie for you. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">But you can avoid the panic with the realization that God loves your child/children way more than you ever possibly could and His Spirit is continually pursuing them to effect their salvation eternally. If you truly believe that, you can take some pressure off of yourself. While God entrusted them to your care, He never put their salvation in your hands…just the desire for their salvation. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">And while that desire is pure and right, there are things you may be doing that might be pushing them farther away from it. Fear is the tool the devil uses most to activate those actions, and then he jumps in the middle of the fear, stirs it up “real good”, and then creates and angry firestorm from it that leaves you both hurting and estranged. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">So start by asking the question of yourself—am I consistently painting a picture of God with my life that my child could be drawn to? That’s hard. Because no one is attracted to an arguing, dictatorial Jesus. No one is drawn to a God who is kind one second and flies off the handle the next. So start there. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">And if you discover that you have been less than ideal in this area, simply apologize. Say directly, “I’m sorry.” No justifications, no explanations. Just “I’m sorry”…and then follow it with with what you are sorry for. “I’m sorry for not presenting a more compelling picture of Jesus. I will seek to do better.” “I’m sorry for not listening to understand…I’ve been listening judgmentally, and to correct and I have come to the realization that you have your own valid thoughts as you are seeking to figure life out for you. I hope you can forgive me and we can turn the corner in this relationship. I may not agree with all of your thoughts, but I don’t need to argue with you. I want you to know that my relationship with you is what I value even if we disagree.”</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Secondly, recognize that the search for God always comes down to the individual. It has always been a personal relationship that God desires. Just a few verses after that verse that we love to quote in Jeremiah 29:11, where God is talking about the plans He has to give us a hope and a future, we come to this one in <b>Jer. 29:13</b> “You will <b>seek</b> <b>me </b>and <b>find me </b>when you<b> seek me with all your heart</b>.” </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">This means you can’t seek that relationship on behalf of other people. Only for yourself. But you <b><i>can intercede</i></b> on their behalf and pray that the Lord will bring them to the point of seeking. <b><i>You can</i></b> continue to present a compelling picture of Jesus for them in your own life. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Yet too many of us want to cut short the search process for our kids by simply telling them what and how to believe. In doing so, however, we must realize that is not their faith…it is still ours that we are wanting to push on them. And God cannot have the relationship with them that He desires if we keep trying to interject our relationship with Him onto them. He has given each of us free moral agency and that includes the power to choose Him or not.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thirdly, appreciate who your young adult is. Compliment them on whatever it is they do well and right. Your words of blessing still carry much weight in their hearts. They WANT you to be proud of them in at least some way. This is what makes deconstruction so painful for them, because they know they might be discarding some things that are dear to you, but may have been hurtful to them. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Recognize that for them, when the pain of holding on finally outweighs their desire to please you and have your blessing, they begin to discard. And the more you rant and argue, the more they are convinced they needed to get rid of it. It doesn’t win them back, but rather, like a magnet turned backwards, it begins to repel them, and it is then that they begin to question that statement you may have made to them as a child that “there is nothing you can ever do to make me stop loving you.” </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Learn instead to look for things they do well and appreciate them for that. Praise them in front of others. Especially pick things in their character that you can be proud of. Things like a deeply caring nature. Compassion. Seeking justice for those who are underserved. Action on an issue in the face of apathy by others. A good work ethic. Being a caring parent to their own child. Anything you can find to praise them will help draw them back towards you and the God you love. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Remember, Jesus said that love would be the determining mark of His disciples. Make sure you are truly loving them in a way they can feel it.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">One of the best books I’ve read recently that really helps put this generation of young adults into perspective is: <i><b>Young Adult Ministry Now</b></i> by Dr. Steven Argue.(available only at <a href="http://AdventSource.org">AdventSource.org</a>) In the opening chapters, he helps paint a picture from his and other current research of this faithing (his term) journey young adults are on. And while it is written primarily from a ministry perspective of a church young adult leader, a parent could learn much about how to understand and interact with their child if applying the principles set forth in this book.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">And for both parents and churches, let me leave you with a quote from <b style="font-style: normal;"><i>Young Adult Ministry</i></b> <b><i>Now </i></b>(pg 30). “It’s also important to consider that in any relationship, it takes two to tango. Often there has been an overemphasis on young adults leaving the church without church leaders reflecting on their own behaviors. If churches fail to reflect on their own assumptions, attitudes or actions, they may be creating barriers for young adults to connect with them.” </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">If true of churches, how much more true of our family bonds.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reconstruction is the journey we are on for the remainder of our lives. You and I continue to add to our faith journey the things we find helpful. We continue to put pieces together that aid us in our spiritual walk, while seeking to unlearn those things that have harmed us along the way. Hopefully, with these thoughts, much prayer and love, your relationship with your young adult can help them on their faithing journey towards a more constructive, wholistic view of a God who loves them with an everlasting love and who will do anything to win them eternally.</span></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-25948537881129884292023-11-21T15:54:00.007-05:002023-11-21T15:54:46.450-05:00Thankfulness as a way of Living<p> I know...it's been a LONG time since I posted here. But, a<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s we come to the Thanksgiving season, I hope you will indulge me writing a little longer article. I began thinking about thankfulness as a way of life instead of just once a year, and it led me on a search of someone who seeks to do just that.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">His name is Chad.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">I watched a YouTube video where one man (Ryan) donated part of his liver to his brother (Chad) to keep his brother alive…and then Ryan ended up dying from complications, though he had been totally healthy before the surgery. It was moving story in which Chad, the recipient of this gift of life, chokes up at the thought of his brother giving up his life for him. It goes on to show the gratitude of Chad’s children as they were talking with their cousins, (Ryan’s kids) and how difficult a situation it now was for them, since they ended up losing their dad.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">It is difficult to watch a story that without being moved. There is something compelling about a brother who loves so much that he is willing to risk his life for a brother that is dying. There is something noble, something right, about a man who, when he finds out that he is a match, doesn’t hesitate to step up. You can’t watch a story like that without being moved. Yet, in looking at the comments on Youtube underneath this video, I am amazed at how many think he did the wrong thing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>“Now imagine the kind of guilt he has to live with. What a shame.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>“Die you son of... Pray to God that Ryan's children can forgive you. I can't imagine the embarrassment you must feel. I mean imagine knowing that your dad died because of your uncle and thanks to that baby that is 38 years old and still receives kisses from his dad, you will grow up without a father! IMAGINE!”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>“If I were Ryan’s son I’d kill Chad. It would be a slow death --trust me.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>“And people believe in GOD hahaha eh......if_ this ain’t proof that there’s no GOD I don’t know what is........”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i>“The guy was being selfless and God just gave him the middle-finger. Meanwhile, we have child rapists and murders in prison getting three hot meals and a bed, living long lives.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">First of all, I find it amazing that there are so many people who can watch a 5 minute news story and then think to pass judgment on every person in it, believing that their opinion is the only one that matters…but beyond that, I think it says something about the human condition that has turned so selfish that the perspective is one of rage and revenge or another excuse to shake your fist at God and proclaim Him to be non-existent or Someone who doesn’t care at all. Which is the first reason we have a hard time living a life of thankfulness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">We have grown used to putting our perspective above all others…including the truth. When bad things happen, we rarely challenge our own thoughts as to their rightness or wrongness. We simply assume that if we thought them, they must be right. We have the arrogance to believe that we are the final authority what we see and we have little room for a change in perspective. We hold to our own opinions so tightly that we refuse to see any possibility that we just might be wrong.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">A life of ingratitude is the result. Nothing that happens around us can then be good enough to suit us. Nothing is worthy of our lofty heights, and it is easy to dismiss it all with a sweep of the hand as being beneath us. Then, when trouble comes, it is also very easy to fall into a victim’s role rather than a student’s role.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">We complain and cry that life isn’t fair and that we don’t deserve all of this pain and often conclude that if there is a God, He must hate us to put us through all of this misery. In short, our perspective has become our god. And our perspective is what causes us to either make thankfulness a way of life or miss out on it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Either we see things from a perspective of being grateful, or from a perspective that leaves us wanting more and feeling like we not only deserve it, but that we are getting ripped off it we don’t get it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Many of us are growing past the material side of things. That is, we’ve seen that more material possessions won’t make us any happier, but we still want more. We never seem to be satisfied. A new computer. A new car. A new sofa. A new job. A new house. You may say, “Nope…I’m satisfied. Don’t want any of that.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">What about more power? More influence? More skill? More money for the job you are being asked to do? Nope…not me. I’m happy. Well…maybe a little more money. But really, I’m good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">More intimacy in my marriage. More time for doing what I want. More respect. More love. More appreciation from others. Are we getting closer to home?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p><img alt="https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/1280x1280/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static-youversionapi-com/images/base/84275/1280x1280.jpg" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/1280x1280/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static-youversionapi-com/images/base/84275/1280x1280.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: auto; -webkit-user-select: text; height: 569px; margin: 0px; max-width: 1280px; width: 569px;" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">We spend our lives thinking if only we had more of something <i>then</i> we’d be happy. And while we know that’s not necessarily true, the fact is, we are right. We do need more of something. The catch is having more… of the right stuff. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">If we only had more of Jesus in our lives, we would be. If we had more trust in Divine power and less trust in ourselves, we would be more settled. If we had more belief that God really did love us and has our best interest in mind and less doubt, we could learn to relax in His care. Again, it’s a matter of perspective. And where do we get that perspective? Let’s go back to the Word.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">A few weeks ago, we looked at the first part of this verse—and I’d like to review it—but today, I want us to focus more on the last part.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #dd0806;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #dd0806;">Phil 4:6-7 NIV</span></u><span style="color: #dd0806;"> <u>6</u> Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. <u>7</u> And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #dd0806;">Phil. 4:6-7 NLT</span></u><span style="color: #dd0806;"> Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. <u>7</u> Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #dd0806;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">I like the way that reads, don’t you? It makes it readily understandable. Look at verse 6 again. <span style="color: #dd0806;">Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. </span>Don’t worry, instead pray. Now let’s look a little more closely at the last part of verse 6. <span style="color: #dd0806;">Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">It is not wrong to have needs. God knows what you need—but He wants to hear from you. He wants you to articulate what you need. Not just what you want, but what your needs are. See—we so often tell God what we want that we’ve often confused the two. And there is nothing wrong with telling God what you want—but remember that He has only promised to supply what you need, though often He will go far beyond that to supply some of the wants as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Tell God what you <i>need</i>. Do you really know what you need? Is it truly more money? Or is it a more trusting heart in God and a willingness to watch His provision?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Is it for your loved one to be healed? Or is it for you to learn to yield yourself to the will of God? Which do you want and which do you really need?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Is it for your kids to be kept safe physically or spiritually? Sure, we <i>want </i>our kids to be kept safe physically—but we <i>need</i> our kids to be kept safe spiritually.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">The very act of determining our wants from our real needs can help change our perspective. Tell God what you NEED. Not worrying—praying. Tell Him what you need, and then look at the last statement of the verse: and thank Him for all He has done. Go back and recount what God has already done for you. Not just a blanket, generic, “Thank you for all your many blessings”, but where you begin to realize that He has provided for so many of your needs and wants, starting with your greatest need—salvation, and working from there. The perspective of gratitude gives you purpose.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Chad will live everyday with the realization that Ryan sacrificed his life for him, and that will put new perspective into each and every day that Chad lives. When Chad gets up and looks at himself in the mirror, he knows that he must live this new day well because of his sense of gratitude to a brother that saved his life. I would think that this perspective would add a new meaning and purpose to life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">You and I can live our days with that same purpose because there was One who took our diseases upon Himself, and our worst disease, sin, was enough to do Him in—not because He had to die. He was perfectly healthy in every way. It was we who were sick and doomed to die. But when He began to do a character transplant, our sickness required so much of Him that it cost His very life. With that realization should come gratitude that changes the way we live our lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #dd0806;">Phil. 4:6-7 NLT</span></u><span style="color: #dd0806;"> Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. </span>Then notice the by-product. <u><span style="color: #dd0806;">7</span></u><span style="color: #dd0806;"> Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Those four statements can change your world. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. And thank Him for all He has done.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">That’s how you develop thankfulness as a way of life. And the thing you are looking for becomes reality. Peace. You can have God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. And it is His peace that will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Don’t worry. Pray. Tell God what you need. Thank him for what He has done. That will change your perspective. And that will bring you peace in your life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">May you have that thankfulness and peace in your life this Thanksgiving season! Not only this season, but every day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p>N </o:p></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-55320308862328166422021-12-13T11:24:00.005-05:002021-12-13T11:24:48.177-05:00The Love of the Giver<p> <span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Thomas A Kempis wrote:</span><span style="color: #002eff; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Think about that- when I see the gift of salvation provided in abundance and freely bestowed on me, I have to go beyond the gift of God, and examine what caused Him to want to give it in the first place—the Love of God. So while I value the gift, the gift is only there to lead me to the Love behind the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">And therein lies the reason we got trapped into all this commercialism surrounding Christmas in the first place. We got the whole gift thing. That made sense. God gave to show His love—therefore, we can give to show our love. So we give to those we love. At least that’s where it started. But then we began to spread that out a little to include those we appreciate. And then we found out about political correctness, and we expanded it to giving gifts to those we couldn’t afford to offend or else to those by whom we wanted to be thought of more highly. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">And the gift giving became the focus, instead of the love behind the gifts. When you separate the value of the gift from the love of the giver, you are left with raw materialism. And then our worth becomes measured by the expense of the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Let’s take a look at John 1 then, and take a look at the Giver of the gift in order to see if we can see the love of the Giver. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1185" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVnaVMyZgk5KGmdGRxCU1lefNYN6VCaI2mzhDMO7PRoO6zs0ktCFsyk8MaP2RR00utl4S7sBdAnIFCMozM7pK3T9J97mSK8otdhC8y80Fn2pw-5yEgK2-5OoD2g4AbtSRme8kvMSEVaAu9CxepBwAs93Udp_ynJ1QNM4q8QRgfk6-s75u7t2oYj6x3=w400-h224" width="400" /><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: red;">John 1:1</span></u><span style="color: red;"> In the beginning was the Word, </span>(capital W—but who is this Word?) <span style="color: red;">and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. <u>2</u> He was with God in the beginning. </span>(being with God and also God himself would give us a clue. Next John turns to the function of the Word)<span style="color: red;"> <u>3</u> Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. </span>(Keep your finger there and let’s go back to Genesis 1 and see if that’s true.)<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: red;">Gen. 1:1</span></u><span style="color: red;"> In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. <u>2</u> Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. <u>3</u> And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Wait—God just said—let there be light and there was light? How did that work?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: red;">Psalm 33:6-9</span></u><span style="color: red;"> By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. <u>7</u> He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. <u>8</u> Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. <u>9</u> For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;">Did you catch that? By the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Go back to <span style="color: red;">John 1:<u>3-4</u> Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.</span> <u><span style="color: red;">4</span></u><span style="color: red;"> In him was life, and that life was the light of men.</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">The Word was the enacting power in the creation story. In Him was life…without Him nothing was made that has been made. But watch this. Jump down to verse 14. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">John 1:</span><u><span style="color: red;"> 14</span></u><span style="color: red;"> The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">He, the Word, the Life-giver, the one that made everything that has been made—came down and made his dwelling among us. Why? To offer Himself to us in relationship. To help us understand what God was like. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">After centuries of mankind enduring the powerful lies of Satan about what God was like, Jesus came to show us exactly what God was like. And it wasn’t what we thought He would be like at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Degenerate human nature says, “Show your power and gain respect!” But the One who had the most power in the universe—the One who, with a word, could create all things, cloaked His power in the guise of a Baby. But Satan knew the potential of that power and tried to have His life snuffed out as a toddler.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Degenerate human hearts crave money and wealth. But the One who had everything and came from a place where gold was so cheap they used it as a paving material for streets and building material for the walls, walked through this life unencumbered by material possessions. And Satan tried to tempt him with everything that man considers important, promising to deliver it all if Christ would only bow down and worship him. But relationship with the Father is what Jesus centered on because it was the source of His strength as well as the heart of His mission. Nothing else was worth having.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">So Satan decides that if relationships are what we need, then present before the degenerate human heart a string of them. If one isn’t good enough, cast it aside and grab another. But each one leaves us only more damaged than the last and leaves a string of broken people and relationships in our past. Satan knows that if he can keep them shallow and surface, they will never be as fulfilling as God intended. Jesus chose to focus deeply on that one relationship that mattered—the one with His Father—and that enriched all of the relationships He had with people. It freed Him from the shallow and the surface. It allowed Him to go beyond the outer protective shell that people would throw up around themselves, and penetrate to the heart of each.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">It allowed Him to see the need of Zaccheus—not more money or things—but relationship. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">It allowed Him to see the need of Nicodemus—not more money or power—but relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">It allowed Him to see beyond the sin of the woman caught in adultery with her guilt and shame, and He knew she didn’t need more of that, so He offered grace instead. He offered her relationship. Not one that condemned her away from the presence of God, but one that restored her to God through Himself. And that was beyond comprehension to the degenerate human heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgptUTM00uxtFC4c4YgllGMhxK_BS0R5c7fiHHu8a9r9mlu78AEOWv7LwQ2bcRX-BofZwnpRWa20kRMtxAxiEiK14dClLybxKFSf3uwtS2iuf8XcS-kwdxSU6TNN0mnLPQCilKansd9ZCqVKkec2wwEGI4bKPwQwk1G35-quglEgDMCQ2C5xlii0Fpy=s750" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="750" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgptUTM00uxtFC4c4YgllGMhxK_BS0R5c7fiHHu8a9r9mlu78AEOWv7LwQ2bcRX-BofZwnpRWa20kRMtxAxiEiK14dClLybxKFSf3uwtS2iuf8XcS-kwdxSU6TNN0mnLPQCilKansd9ZCqVKkec2wwEGI4bKPwQwk1G35-quglEgDMCQ2C5xlii0Fpy=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">John 1:</span><u><span style="color: red;">5</span></u><span style="color: red;"> The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><u><span style="color: red;">John 1:9-10</span></u><span style="color: red;"> The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. <u>10</u> He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Has life soured for you because you have been living it your own way and now everything is falling apart? Have you been striving for the wrong things, thinking they would be the fulfillment of your dreams, all the while having a nagging knowledge that tells you that the fulfillment will only be temporary? Have you been measuring your worth in dollars and cents with the false god of materialism, yet finding that no matter how much you buy, it leaves you unsatisfied? Do you find yourself in shallow or broken relationships knowing that they won’t truly be the answer, but not willing to let go, simply because you fear being alone?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Then the good news found in Jesus, is that he comes to offer Himself. He's the Right Answer to a mixed-up world. A relationship with the Word (capital W) can allow Him to speak a re-creative word (small w) into your life. He can make you and your world all over again. And He can make it better, richer and with a brighter hope for your future. But it can’t be done apart from Jesus. Any striving for any of these things apart from Jesus will only leave you more broken, more frustrated and more destitute at the end of the day. How do I know?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: red;">John 1: <u>4</u> In him was life, and that life was the light of men.</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">That’s where the right answer for your life is found. In Christ. Alone. In Him is life and that life is what can bring light to your life. It can re-orient your priorities, bring fulfillment and purpose to your life, show you what is truly important, and restore relationships and deepen them beyond your wildest hopes, dreams or expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT, serif;">Are you ready to try Him...again? Or perhaps, for the very first time? Then simply ask Him to come in and speak that word into your life. And if you need help knowing what to do next, I'd love to hear from you.</span></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-21151597272186805222021-09-12T11:51:00.004-04:002021-09-12T11:51:32.587-04:00 Hope in the Storms<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It has been said that we are at one of four points in life: Either between storms, going into a storm, being in the middle of a storm, or coming out of a storm.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In Matt 8, as well as in Mark 4 and Luke 8, we find a story of the complete cycle. Let’s look at Matthew 8 beginning with verse 23.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMvfu9FPnvo/YT4fUFefgzI/AAAAAAAAEOw/mKoR24xihConv6hZP4hsqvF2WuIGYQHgACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/006-lumo-jesus-storm.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Matt. 8:23</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>24</sup></b></span> Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>25</sup></b></span> The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”</span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Matt. 8:26</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus responded, <span style="color: #ca223d;">“Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”</span> Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Matt. 8:27</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!””(Matthew 8:23–27 NLT-SE)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now let’s read it again in Mark 4. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Mark 4:35</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, <span style="color: #ca223d;">“Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”</span> <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>36</sup></b></span> So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>37</sup></b></span> But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Mark 4:38</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Mark 4:39</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, <span style="color: #ca223d;">“Silence! Be still!”</span> Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>40</sup></b></span> Then he asked them, <span style="color: #ca223d;">“Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”</span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Mark 4:41</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Did you notice the subtle differences in Mark? Especially in the cry and attitudes of the disciples. Keep in mind, that the book of Mark is the recorded stories of Peter as written by John Mark. So you start to see a little bit of the personality and memories of the different disciples and what they were thinking at the time. We’ll come back to that in moment.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To round out our picture, let’s go to Luke 8. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Luke 8:22</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One day Jesus said to his disciples, <span style="color: #ca223d;">“Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”</span> So they got into a boat and started out. <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>23</sup></b></span> As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Luke 8:24</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>25</sup></b></span> Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So now that we have three versions of the story, let’s piece them together and see if we get a little bit more understanding on this passage, and perhaps something that can help us today.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The disciples were peacefully going across the lake. Jesus is exhausted so He lays down in the back of the boat and goes to sleep. Suddenly, without any real warning, the storm breaks. And this is a storm to beat all storms.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They are struggling against the oars, they are bailing like mad and they are panicked out of their minds. Those hardy fishermen had spent their lives on the lake, and had guided their boats through many a storm; but against this storm, their strength and skill are worthless. They are helpless in the face of this tempest and their hope began to fade as their boat began filling with water.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, <i>they had forgotten that Jesus was on board</i>. Sound like anyone you know? Not until they came to the end of their strength and they could see death staring them in the face, did they remember that somewhere in the boat was the One who could help them. They call out for Him, but they hear no answer. Just more wind and more waves to the face. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And now, doubt jumps on top of fear and rides deep into their souls. Had Jesus forgotten them? Was the One who had healed diseases and opened blinded eyes not able to help His own disciples now? Have you noticed that we often do the same? In God’s silence, <i>we often listen to our doubts.</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The book Desire of Ages says that a flash of lightning revealed the sleeping Savior and they are incredulous. How can He sleep through this? So they woke Him by screaming above the tempest, as recorded in Mark 4:38 (and remember, this is Peter’s version of the story) “Teacher, Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, I have put this question in the category “stupid questions asked by the disciples”. Do you think Jesus cared if they drowned? Of course He did. Because these men were to be the ones that carried His message to the world. Of course He cared, but, as we said earlier, in God’s silence, we often listen to our doubts. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">First, forgetting Jesus was in the boat, and then, secondly, not hearing anything from God, they instantly jumped to the conclusion that God didn’t care. Some things never change do they? Ever done that? </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So they cry out to Jesus… “Don’t YOU CARE <i>that we’re going to drown???</i>” Notice…to their reality, this is a foregone conclusion. They had fully assessed the situation and decided that it was hopeless AND that somehow God didn’t care one whit about them.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is no indication from either Matthew, Mark or Luke’s account that they wanted Him to do anything more than start rowing or bailing—but I believe they also knew that HE was where their hope lay. Mathew’s account says that they screamed, “Lord<b><i> save us:</i></b> we’re going to drown!” And I like what the book Desire of Ages says on page 335 <i>“Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded.” </i> </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Let’s go back to our text in Matthew 8. V. 25 </span>The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”(Matthew 8:25–27 NLT-SE)</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p></p><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ed2i9GAJFeI/YT4fjs3WuHI/AAAAAAAAEO4/cU9z1hakxZ4RmczwXGHXeZlt4YTHnJewwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Who%2BIS%2Bthe%2BMan.jpeg" width="400" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love this story for a lot of reasons. First, it reminds us that no matter what storm we are going through, Jesus is still in the boat with us, and He has the power to control everything. Check this out-as fearful as the disciples were in the middle of the storm, they were even more fearful and amazed that the elements that they had feared only moments before, were totally at the beck and call of this man with whom they traveled.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Second, He is a God of surprises. When the disciples shouted out </div><div style="text-align: left;">“Lord, save us!”, I’m sure the last solution on their minds was that He would simply get up and rebuke the storm and it would cease. They were probably hoping for the supernatural, to be sure...but they were not expecting that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Third, Jesus left them with more questions than answers. “Who IS this Man???” We were afraid of the storm before...but THIS Man is GREATER than the storm! That storm was NO MATCH for Him. We thought we were stuck in the clenches of the power of the storm...but the storm was nothing...compared to HIM. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But as cool as this story is, it occurred to me that this story could either increase our faith or Satan could use it to defeat our faith. What? Let me explain. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the one hand, we can see a God who has absolute control of the elements...yet seems to let us down when it comes to OUR current crisis at hand. I had faith...didn’t I? And we focus in on the question Jesus asked them, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” And we squint harder and repeat, “I believe, help my unbelief!!” </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We forget that it was not the disciples faith that caused Jesus to act. It was His goodness and grace, seeking to teach them that He could be trusted in the days and weeks ahead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We don’t stop to think that maybe there were other nights on the lake where the storms surrounded them and Jesus DIDN’T calm the storm...but allowed them to go through it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Their faith was not the answer to the problem. It was only the answer to the peace that was to be had as they faced the problem. Faith isn’t always about getting the outcome you want. Faith is about trusting that the outcome you receive will better prepare you for the way ahead. Faith is about trusting that one way, or the other, God will get you through the storm and you can be at peace in the middle of it because you trust that God has got you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes...Jesus CAN bring you the miracle, the healing, the whatever your prayer is...and sometimes He does. To quote singer/songwriter Scott Krippayne, “Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times he calms His child.” </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes He allows us to face the hard stuff so that we can learn that it is NOT our desired outcomes He is most concerned with, so much as our relationship and our trust in Him for the Journey ahead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That storm you are in...will you trust Him with it just now? He’s the God of surprises...so who knows how He will answer...but it will always be a way that can make you stronger and growing closer to Him if you let it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pray peace for your daily journey.</div><p></p> </span></div><p></p><div><br /></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-7118591989947241022021-06-01T16:22:00.001-04:002021-06-01T16:22:52.049-04:00Social Media Grenades vs The Way of Love<p style="text-align: left;">Almost a year ago, I wrote <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/1321675859956566004/1414416448310522504" target="_blank">Of Facebook Cannons and Twitter Bombs</a> to examine how too many of us are seeking to right wrongs by weaponizing our social media feeds to force change with those that have wronged us. I ended with the line perhaps we need to live like Jesus and lead with love.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In that piece, I looked at the counsel Jesus gave in Matthew 18 on how to deal with those that have wronged us. Sadly, many Christians totally ignore that counsel, and instead of airing their grievances with the person, they go straight to the Twitter feed or Facebook feed and call out, not just those that have wronged them personally, but those who merely irritate them or hold a view counter to their own.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbZTrTz96e0/YLaULufZ4DI/AAAAAAAAELk/DjvaieW7C5glIkYRUNoeAFiOvk2RGmkzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/gallery-1474315109-gettyimages-532604382.jpg" width="320" /></div>I've observed on more than one occasion, even pastors, those who I'm certain must have read this passage at some point in their training, totally skipping over Jesus' very words of counsel and <i>blasting other pastors</i> on their social media platforms for the things that are contrary to the view of the one posting. <p></p><p style="text-align: left;">In fact, some haven't been <i>personally</i> wronged at all! They merely disagree with what is being said in a sermon or a Twitter post, or in a meeting where something was said, and out come the social media grenades, hoping to blast that person and their opinions into oblivion. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I just read a new one the other day and it greatly saddened me, and once again gave me cause to ponder. And as I was pondering all these things the other morning, I decided to re-examine what God is calling us to as we deal with one another, especially fellow Christians. I wrote a Facebook post about what I found and incorporated part of it here. Look at what Jesus Himself said to His disciples. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>J<span style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); font-family: georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ohn 15:12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have. </span></i></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this day and age of cancel culture, weaponized social media feeds and a polarized society on just about every front, it’s becoming harder and harder <i>to like</i>, much less love, those who are not like me, who think differently or who are sometimes just downright mean. Yet the command remains. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To stay faithful as a follower of Jesus means we have to love others like Jesus loved. And it is impossible to do that unless we stay connected to Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It’s like an electrical circuit. It is in connecting to Jesus and letting the love of Jesus flow into you so that it can flow from you to others that enable you to obey His command.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps you, like me, have found that loving others is easy to say, but hard to do. And as I seek to do that, I recognize that I can’t do it without the power of Jesus in my life. That’s why it is necessary to stay connected to the Source of Love. To (pardon the pun) stay grounded in His word</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Obeying His command to love, keeps me in His love because I recognize that there is no possible way I can do that on my own. Simply keeping the 10 commandments apart from loving others will do you no good. Jesus calls us to love as He loves. He doesn’t just call us…He commands us. Over and over. Check these verses where He reiterates it. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>John 13: 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>John:15:12-14 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>John 15: 17 This is my command: Love each other.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Are you seeing the theme emerging that Jesus was trying to get across to those of us who profess to follow Him? Yet many of us spend our time arguing, judging, and comparing...Even calling people out on our social media feeds, seeking to show others our disgust or disdain at what we consider to be their errant thoughts and ideas without ever following the council in Matthew 18. hmmm...</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps it's time for a refocusing of our spiritual priorities and returning to our calling to love. <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">What was it Jesus said? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Your <u>love for one another</u> will <u>prove to the world</u> that you are <u>my disciples</u>.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIaRv4IIsiI/YLaWUAvWhAI/AAAAAAAAELs/Gd_T0ROHZloC8nTERJCdXWVv_jfE_UpCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s518/banner-how-world-know-my-disciples.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="518" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIaRv4IIsiI/YLaWUAvWhAI/AAAAAAAAELs/Gd_T0ROHZloC8nTERJCdXWVv_jfE_UpCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h333/banner-how-world-know-my-disciples.png" width="640" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /><b><br /></b></i></span><p></p></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-90822621986214001212021-04-08T13:30:00.000-04:002021-04-08T13:30:26.525-04:00Between the Almost and the Not Yet<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: left;">Ask any kid on a car journey about liminal space, and they will stare at you blankly. </span><span style="text-align: left;">But they all know the experience of liminality.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">And so do you.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We find ourselves in liminal spaces all the time. How do I know?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Ever asked or answered this question on a road trip? “Are we there yet?” If you have answered with the words, “almost” or “not yet”, you understand the concept of</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">a liminal space. They are those transitional spaces in our lives that come between the Almost and the Not Yet.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">They are transitory spaces.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Places where you cross one threshold but you are not quite to where you are going. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh2rVvH2T_k/YG88ssD-fnI/AAAAAAAAEKU/-KJIjB2Nqsk_N2fMdfQwx_OSccklH27xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1844/Corridor-L702DY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1844" data-original-width="1709" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh2rVvH2T_k/YG88ssD-fnI/AAAAAAAAEKU/-KJIjB2Nqsk_N2fMdfQwx_OSccklH27xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Corridor-L702DY.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />In a house, we would call them entryways or hallways. A place, not to stay, but to get from one place to another. Get trapped in an entryway by someone blocking your entrance and someone behind you wanting to get in and you experience one of life’s teaching moments. There is nothing quite so awkward as being stuck in a liminal space. An elevator would be another great example of that. It is used to get from one floor to another, and that is extremely helpful, but to get stuck in one can suddenly become frightening. Even hanging out in a stairwell of building leaves us feeling out of sorts. Use it the way it was designed, and it is useful. Stay there too long and it begins to feel a bit creepy.</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In our world today, we find ourselves at that awkward place of liminality. We are not yet through the pandemic, but almost. We can see light at the end of the tunnel, and we certainly aren't where we were a year ago, but we aren’t yet back to normal. That teen with a learner’s permit? Liminal state. That pursuit of a degree? Liminal stage of life. They are phases to pass through but not to stay. To be in a liminal state means that we are in transition, moving to another stage, another place or another level. We have left one place and stage, but we have yet to arrive at our new place or stage. And liminal phases almost always leave us feeling unsettled, unfinished or unresolved. There is something about leaving that liminal place and crossing into a more permanent or resting place that gives us the resolution we crave.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moving from the kitchen down the hallway to the bedroom gives our purpose fulfillment. We find sustenance in the kitchen and rest in the bedroom, but the hallway is not a place we typically hang out. Its main purpose is to be the thoroughfare that gets us from one place to the other. Necessary, to be sure, but not designed to be a destination.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Consider that one of the greatest liminal spaces for the Christian, that place between the Almost and the Not Yet, is simply called…mortal life. Consider this: we know we have salvation in Christ as believers, because of what He did for us on the cross, and once we believe, we have left our old life behind, but the fulfillment of that in its entirety is not yet. And it won’t be until we cross the portals into heaven. This life, though it has many places of fulfillment and resting and enjoyments, albeit countered by pain, sorrow, loss and death, is really only a liminal space. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the womb to the tomb, this journey we are on is not a place we are to crave staying, any more than we would desire to always stand in the foyer or camp out in the hallway. And even when we arrive at the tomb, it too, in reality, is only a liminal place. We are, for lack of a better way to view it, stuck between the almost and the not yet. In fact, according to scripture there are only two ultimate destinations-Heaven or Hell. And that isn’t so much a place as it is a Person. While I believe heaven and hell can be physical locations, I believe they are more accurately descriptions of either being with Jesus or away from Him.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All through scripture, God continues to remind us that, though we were born here, this is only the hallway to heaven. He seeks to help us understand that He intentioned more for us in the beginning, and though we blew that plan to pieces through our sin, through Jesus, God desires to rescue us from our liminal spaces, both physical and mental, and deliver us to a place of true destiny; our <i>ultimate</i> destiny. A place where we will finally discover in totality, who we really are, and how we can live into that for eternity. To know and be truly known…and totally belong.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mJXtKmzrZo/YG89AvPLu9I/AAAAAAAAEKc/S0GKqwDkHokHDycPuG4YR12w6ERcQaf0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/escalator-injuries-1280x720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mJXtKmzrZo/YG89AvPLu9I/AAAAAAAAEKc/S0GKqwDkHokHDycPuG4YR12w6ERcQaf0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/escalator-injuries-1280x720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That destiny can start here and now. It is one of purpose and intentionality: to pursue the Creator God in personal relationship, to seek and discover how God has put us together and to utilize those gifts to help others see the futility in seeking anything on this earth as a final destination. Wealth? Fleeting. Power? Fickle and damaging. Fame? Here today, forgotten tomorrow. All liminal spaces. None of them are permanent destinations. Those who pursue them find, after attaining a certain amount of any or all, that there is still more of each to seek after. And even if you could attain all of the money that exists in the world, all of the power that is available and all the fame you possibly could attain, the burning question would still be: Is this all there is? Now what?</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They are the same questions that all seek. And the answers? No. This isn’t all there is. You have an ultimate destiny and it is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Now what? Perhaps Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, can answer what we are to be doing until our ultimate Destiny-Jesus, comes to take us to our ultimate home-heaven, as we wait between the Almost and the Not Yet.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Eccl. 12:13 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Heb. 12:1</span> Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. <span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>2</sup></b></span> We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hold on my friends…until the FINALLY HERE arrives.</span></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-75012181075641351552021-04-01T10:18:00.004-04:002021-04-01T10:18:39.084-04:00Don't Pray for the Holy Spirit... if You Just Want to Warm the Bench<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">There’s nothing worse than mismatched timing.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It makes us uncomfortable. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It makes us nervous.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> <br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Perhaps, it even makes us feel foolish. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Whatever it makes us feel, we know that something’s not right.</span></div>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It's like a zoom call where the audio doesn't match the video. It’s like a choir where the sopranos are three words ahead of the altos who are two notes ahead of the basses and the tenors are “ten or” twelve notes behind everyone. What a noise!</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiH5l7j9p5k/YGXVemlwq-I/AAAAAAAAEKI/6-hVlJieZw4xQDI9v5RyINM-6EkluHzmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s848/Clocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiH5l7j9p5k/YGXVemlwq-I/AAAAAAAAEKI/6-hVlJieZw4xQDI9v5RyINM-6EkluHzmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Clocks.jpg" /></a></div>A car doesn’t run well when the timing is off. Baking bread either burns or is still raw when the timing is off. It seems every time <i>we</i> try to use timed bake, the timing is off. (Actually, I don’t think it ever comes on!) Relay racers rely on good timing as they pass the baton. Rock climbers have to have split second accuracy as they leap across a chasm to a miniscule ledge. And preachers have to have good timing. (Let ‘em out by 12 and you got it made!) <p></p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But most of us don’t realize that Christians have to have good timing too. We need to be “in-synch” with God. The problem is that many of us are so busy that we fail to recognize what God’s timing is. And because we are “out-of-synch” with Him, we don’t get done what He’s asking and providing power for us to do. So, what does it take to be “right on time” with God?</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The book of Acts gives us a good clue. Let’s get some background. Jesus was just about to return to heaven. But before He left, He described again, to the disciples, how the Messiah was to suffer and die, and then be resurrected. He then promised to be with them as they shared these things with the world.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." </i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." </i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jesus is saying that once you are a believer in Him, the first step to getting in touch with His timing is waiting. Waiting to be clothed with power from the Holy Spirit. And that’s what the disciples did. But they did not wait in idleness.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Luke 24:52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. </i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. </i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Neither Acts 1,2 or Luke 24 provide much more detail, and I wanted to find out more. What was going on there. The book entitled “The Acts of the Apostles” (AA) helps fill in the details. In chapter 4, it’s as though the author, Ellen White, were adding color to a picture that was just a sketch. Let’s fill out the picture.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">First, she says<i> </i>(AA)P. 35<i> “In obedience to Christ’s command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father-the outpouring of the Spirit.” First, they waited. </i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Second, (AA) p. 36 says, <i>“As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief.” Wow...</i> They humbled their hearts and confessed unbelief as a sin.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Third, (AA) p. 37 tells us, <i>“The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desires for supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.” They prayed for a desire to lead others to Christ, and they put away all their differences and selfishness.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Continuing on- (AA) p. 37 <i> These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. . . . They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.”</i> They felt their spiritual need, and as a result, they felt a real passion for saving others. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Then</i></b> the Holy Spirit came. Scripture gives us this scene in Acts 2 beginning with verse 1. <i>“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.”</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(AA) page 38 <i> “The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart. . . .Lost in wonder, the apostles exclaimed, ‘Herein is love.’ They grasped the imparted gift. And what followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Thousands were converted in a day.”</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaJAnXKegHA/YGXSVSUROaI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/wIqxhjT8SnI_IJ6VhkuienH0at1ypCbTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/benchwarmer_716527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaJAnXKegHA/YGXSVSUROaI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/wIqxhjT8SnI_IJ6VhkuienH0at1ypCbTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/benchwarmer_716527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There it is in a nutshell. <i>Wait in obedience for the Holy Spirit</i>. <i>Humble your heart</i> and <i>confess</i> your unbelief. <i>Pray</i> with <i>intense earnestness,</i> claiming the promise that the Holy Spirit will be yours. <i>Accept</i> the gift. <i>And then</i> . . .warm the pew. That’s right! Ask for the Holy Spirit so that you can get that bench just a little warmer. Yeah- It’s like a teacher of mine once said. . . “grab all you can-can all you grab, and sit on the lid while saying quietly to yourself, ‘I got the Holy Spirit!’ ”<p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you think that’s it, think again. Same author, different book. A little book called “Christian Service.” On page 253 it says, <i>“The Holy Spirit won’t be poured out while a majority sit still.”</i> Friend, if all you’re wanting to do is keep the pew warm, they sell battery-operated stadium seat warmers. You don’t need the Holy Spirit for that. And my guess is, as long as the seat warmers are available, the Holy Spirit won’t come for that purpose anyway. Don’t pray for the Holy Spirit if you just want to warm the bench.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">(Paraphrase of AA p45) When the disciple were training under Jesus, they were led to feel their need of the Spirit. He had promised it, told them they needed it, and told them what it was for. Under the Spirit’s teaching they received the final qualification, and went forth to their lifework. They were no longer ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units or men in conflict with each other. They weren’t looking for worldly greatness anymore. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Instead, they were in harmony with each other. ch 4:32 says they were <i>“one in heart and mind.” </i> Christ filled their thoughts; the advancement of His kingdom was their aim. No bench-warming here. When the Holy Spirit is granted to a person, there is no sitting still. They have to do something. They have to move. That’s because the Holy Spirit is a moving agent. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When Peter got done preaching that day, 3,000 people came forward for the call. The Holy Spirit moved through that crowd. And verse 41 says they were all baptized that day. I wonder what would happen to the Pastor that had that happen today. No studies. No commitment cards. They felt the Holy Spirit working on them, and they responded. And the disciples didn’t know any better, so they baptized them.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When the Holy Spirit moves on hearts, there can be no bench-warming. Things will happen, and the work of God will not sit still, but will go forward with power and conviction. Those who grasp the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot stay the same. They will become like Jesus both in thought and in character. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> Notice Acts 4:13<i> “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” </i>What better statement can be made about a person? </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> The disciples were filled with an intense longing to carry forward the work that Jesus had started. Not out of a sense of dreary, “I-know-I-ought-to-do-this-because-I’m-a-Christian” attitude. Rather, they had hearts that were supercharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it compelled them to go to the ends of the earth testifying to the power of Christ.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqC2zbdhC-4/YGXSkWo7ImI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/2ZLE4yk5hLkz3bVWiqSWhGB4vV3sAuRcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/pentecost-flames-in-upper-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqC2zbdhC-4/YGXSkWo7ImI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/2ZLE4yk5hLkz3bVWiqSWhGB4vV3sAuRcACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pentecost-flames-in-upper-room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They had been brought, through the Holy Spirit, into such close communion with God, that their very words seemed to burn into the hearts of those listening. There was an excitement, an aliveness, about them. The Spirit animated them and spoke through them. The peace of Christ shone from their faces. They had consecrated their lives to Him for service, and even their physical features were changed to give evidence that they belonged to Him.<p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Have you ever wished that could happen again today? I have to agree with the author of <i>Acts of the Apostles </i> when she writes, pg 49 <i>“The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal saviour, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer’s love and of His saving grace.”</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Do you know why we don’t see these things happening today? I believe its because we don’t pursue holiness. As far as God is concerned, the time period we live in is not the issue. Christ‘s promise to send the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed. We have. We have grown tired of hearing the “same old thing," and so we content ourselves with warming the bench, putting in our time at church, and then going home to watch TV on Saturday night “where the <i>real </i>action is." We don’t really appreciate the promise of the Holy Spirit. We don’t think about Him; don’t ask for Him; don’t expect Him; and as a result, <i>we don’t get Him!</i> </p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And what happens? The church dies for lack of fire. No living water. Spiritual drought and spiritual coldness. And the tragedy is, <b><i>we like it that way! </i></b><i> </i> We don’t want it to change. It’s no wonder, in Rev. 3:16, that God wants to spew us out. We wouldn’t know what to do if the Holy Spirit really started a movement here. It’s possible that we would rise up against and squelch it, considering it’s not prone to look like what we expect or have grown use to. Really, what<i> would</i> you do if 3,000 people suddenly ran in to your church begging to be baptized right now? </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. We should be asking God daily for His Spirit, because His presence will give our words of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give. Do you realize, that if we were a people empowered by the Holy Spirit, Seventh-day Adventists would be known for far more than just the church that "worships on Saturdays."</p><p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We need to be a people known for our passionate pursuit of life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. A people consumed with petitioning God daily for His grace and Spirit to continue working in our lives to make us holy.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Holiness is not just some euphoric experience: <i>“it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love.”</i> AA p51</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Amid the confusion, the striving, the wrestling with life’s questions, the Holy Spirit wants to sustain and give you strength. When you stand facing your failures and your mistakes, He offers forgiveness and comfort. When you’re not sure if you want to accept Christ into your life, He pleads in tones of mercy and love. And if you’ve just sat warming the pew, He wants you to see that He is ready for action. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Don’t pray for the Holy Spirit if you just want to warm the bench. But if you’re tired of the same old dreary cycle of religious meanderings, then start praying. If you want to be of service and become action-oriented, pray. If you want power to proclaim and advance the Kingdom of God, pray for the Holy Spirit. Pray and wait with a humbled heart, as you confess your unbelief. Claim the promise of Jesus, and grasp the greatest gift since Salvation. And once you have grasped it, you won’t be able to just sit and warm the pew. You will be compelled, out of your fullness, to advance God’s Kingdom. To seek and bring salvation to the lost. To call others out of their boredom with a religious system, and into an aliveness that is true spirituality.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I challenge you to go today, seeking that experience. We desperately need those who crave that type of experience. Those who <i>will</i> pray that God will send His Spirit to empower their work. <i>That’s</i> when we’ll see a harvest. <i>That’s </i>when we’ll see the work finished. <i>That’s</i> when we’ll go home. And when you talk about God’s timing, it’s impossible to be more finely-tuned! For the sake of the Kingdom, seek Him today.</p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-24129262823979188562021-03-04T09:25:00.000-05:002021-03-04T09:25:12.434-05:00True Worshippers-Do They Exist?<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">The ability to see, to perceive with the eyes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">A field of vision. Sometimes we see clearly, sometimes we don’t.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">When we worship God we surrender our lives to His will.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">And in doing so, the fog begins to lift and we see clearly.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">What object has become the focus of your attention these days?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">For most of us the object of our attention is us. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“How will my financial needs get met.” “How will I meet my deadlines at work?” “When will my relationships get fixed?” </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But what if it were never meant to be that way? What if God were really the only Object worth focusing on? What if our focus on His beauty made our problems pale in comparison? What if we were never meant to be the actors on center stage? What if we were meant to be the audience members, watching Jesus on center stage? Is that what true worshippers do? Is that what true worship is all about? So how’s your eyesight? </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I don’t know about you, but there seems to be a never-ending supply of things that blur my vision; a continual bombardment of my senses that leave me with a foggy view of God; a siren call off of the high ground and back to the low. Ever since the fall of man, Satan has been devising ways and means to blur or distort our picture of who God really is. And he’s gotten very good at it.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He starts when you are very young, and utilizes adults in your life to distort your view of God: An abusive parent; A sexual predator; An impatient and harsh teacher who is supposed to be a Christian. Satan has endless ways or people to mess up your picture of who God is and what He is like because He knows that if he can mar the image of God when you are young, you will reject God as the answer to your search and you will look to any number of ways to fill the longing deep in your soul. And your vision grows blurry.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If he can’t succeed by marring the picture when you are very young, he’ll work on you in your teenage years through peer pressure, pop culture and hurtful relationships, all the while utilizing all of the tools he may have used earlier in life. He knows if he can derail you here, he can lead you down a road from which many never return. And a fog descends.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In young adulthood, he will continue to use relationships, work associates, your new-found legal status and freedom from parental restrictions to entice you, oftentimes out of curiosity, into places and situations where no Christian should find themselves. And the picture is marred still more.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And if that doesn’t work, if he can just marry you off to someone with a distorted picture of God, then they can work up close and personal on your picture. This human relationship often becomes paramount for how we view ourselves, and we take our eyes completely off of God and place them on our spouse and ourselves. And if one or the other isn’t refocusing on God on a consistent basis and helping the other to do the same, your world will shrink to just you and your immediate circumstances. And your picture of God goes more out of focus.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Later, when things just aren’t working out and you find yourself the victim of a cheating spouse or an abusive spouse or an admiring co-worker, your gaze shifts yet again, seeking a solution to the mess you find yourself in. Add young children to that mix, and you will suddenly become a tool in the hands of Satan to mar the image of God for the next generation. And on and on it goes with seemingly no solutions or way out of your predicament, because Satan has done a masterful job of hiding God from your view.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5LkvwmzrNs/YEDsow88u0I/AAAAAAAAEJA/Pwv9kYSFNhwSpSZLF3Cl49vhimKY4eoPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/trueworship-2000x1125.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5LkvwmzrNs/YEDsow88u0I/AAAAAAAAEJA/Pwv9kYSFNhwSpSZLF3Cl49vhimKY4eoPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/trueworship-2000x1125.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />John Piper has observed, "Worship has to do with real life. It is not a mythical interlude in a week of reality. Worship has to do with adultery and hunger and racial conflict." True worship is a way out our predicament.<p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Craig Brian Larson reminds us of the time not long ago, when “the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice. Their only hope: somehow to be transported five miles past the ice pack to open sea. Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about twenty yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"For eight days they coaxed the whales from one hole to the next, mile after mile. Along the way, one of the trio vanished and was presumed dead. But finally, with the help of Russian icebreakers, the whales, now named Putu and Siku, swam to freedom.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"In a way, worship is a string of breathing holes the Lord provides his people. Battered and bruised in a world frozen over with greed, selfishness, and hatred, we rise for air in church, a place to breathe again, to be loved and encouraged, until that day when the Lord forever shatters the ice cap." (Craig Brian Larson, Leadership, Vol. 11, no. 2)</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The problem is, we have gotten a distorted view of worship as well. We’ve made it “me-focused” instead of Christ-focused. In <i>Experience God in Worship</i> George Barna observes the contemporary Christian's view of worship: "Most adults will contend that a Christian has a responsibility to worship God. However, when asked to define what worship means, two out of three are unable to offer an appropriate definition or description of worship.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"Even among the people who consistently attend Christian worship services, apparently for the purpose of worshiping God, the majority does not consider worship to be a 'top priority' in their lives. It need not be the top priority; but most of them do not even include it among a laundry list of top priorities."</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He goes on to reveal the true motivation behind many American Christian's attendance at worship services. He says it's to "satisfy or please them, not to honor or please God" (p. 15). </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We must be cautious of turning our worship and religion into a man-centered selfish pursuit. Worship has always been and will always be about God - whether we recognize it or not. For in the end "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11). -Preaching September/October 2002</p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Which brings us to this passage in scripture where Jesus talked about worship. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #fb0007; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">John 4: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">4</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> Now he had to go through Samaria. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">5</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">6</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">7</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">8</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">9</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">10</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">11</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">12</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">13</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">14</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">15</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">16</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;">17</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> “I have no husband,” she replied.</span></span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i> Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">18</span> The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">19</span> “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">20</span> Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">21</span> Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">22</span> You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">23</span> Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">24</span> God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">25</span> The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">26</span> Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">27</span> Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">28</span> Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">29</span> “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” <span style="text-decoration: underline;">30</span> They came out of the town and made their way toward him</i><span style="color: #fb0007;">.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here’s a woman who has so had the image of God marred by bad choices and relationships that she has to come to the well in the heat of the day, instead of the morning or evening when it is cooler. When Jesus engages her in conversation she is stunned, and even more so when He tells her about her current living arrangements. But Jesus simply points out the obvious so that she will be open to seeing what is truly important. He is trying to restore to her a better picture of what God is like, and in so doing, gives us a very good picture of what God is looking for. True worshippers. Look again at verses 23 and 24. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">23</span> Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">24</span> God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Have you ever wondered what that meant? What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth? In his book <i>The Purpose Driven Life</i>, Rick Warren notes, "Since worship is delighting in and enjoying God, it engages your emotions. God gave you emotions so you could worship him with deep feeling -- but those emotions must be genuine, not faked. God hates hypocrisy. He doesn't want a show, or pretense, or phoniness in worship. He wants your honest, real love. We can worship God imperfectly, but we cannot worship him insincerely.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"Of course, sincerity alone is not enough; you can be sincerely wrong. That's why both spirit and truth are required. Worship must be both authentic and accurate. God-pleasing worship is deeply emotional and deeply doctrinal. We use both our hearts and our heads.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In another place, in the same book, he says: “In our competitive world we’re taught to never quit trying, never give up, and never give in - so we don’t hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. Even Christians would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“True worship -- bringing God pleasure -- happens when you give yourself completely to God.” (from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life)</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Inspired author Ellen White, in her book <i>The Desire of Ages</i>, page 189 writing about this story says: He (Jesus) desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above matters of form and ceremony, and questions of controversy. "The hour cometh," He said, "and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." {DA 189.1}</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said, "Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, margin. Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indicted, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His sons and daughters. {DA 189.2}</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImddRHxDP5s/YEDtZ32GyHI/AAAAAAAAEJI/UiyOTzLDxMkqHYfLTHpBrEGVkQK7ZoW8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Romans%2B12-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImddRHxDP5s/YEDtZ32GyHI/AAAAAAAAEJI/UiyOTzLDxMkqHYfLTHpBrEGVkQK7ZoW8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Romans%2B12-1.jpg" /></a></div>God longs for us to seek Him and be born of His divine spirit. It is only in this that we have a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It<br /> will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. Romans 12: 1,2 says:<p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1</span> Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2</span> Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">True worshippers are those who don’t just offer a praise song. They don’t just throw a buck at the offering plate. They offer<i> themselves</i> as a spiritual act of worship. They become consumed with a passion for God. They are ones who are no longer being squeezed into the world’s mold. They don’t allow Satan to mar their picture of God through looking at the things of the world. Instead, they are being transformed through worship that renews their minds. How do you know if that’s you?</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pastor, author and speaker, Louie Giglio writes: "Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money and your allegiance. At the end of that trail, you'll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship." (Louie Giglio, The Air I Breathe)</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What if God were really the only Object worth focusing on? What if our focus on His beauty made our problems pale in comparison? What if we were never meant to be the actors on center stage? What if we were meant to be the audience members, watching Jesus on center stage?</p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-18551882322772521632021-02-18T15:13:00.004-05:002021-02-18T15:13:43.067-05:00How Does One Get to the Heart of Worship?<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14px;">What is worship?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship ascribes worth to the being or object being worshipped. There is true worship and false worship. When the children of Israel made a golden calf in the absence of Moses and worshipped it, they were ascribing worth to their object of worship. However, when Moses showed up with the Ten Commandments, they found that their object of worship was not truly worthy of their worship.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>True worship defies definition; it can only be experienced. In seeking to define it, we often cheapen the very act of worship.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>To worship, according to William Temple, in his book, The Hope of a New World, is:</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">To quicken the conscience by the holiness of God. To feed the mind with the truth of God. To purge the imagination with the beauty of God. To open the heart to the Love of God.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Franklin Segler and Randall Bradley in their book “Christian Worship” lay out a basic understanding of worship.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship is a mystery.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">It is both a revelation of God’s immanence (His ability to reside within the human heart) and God’s transcendence (His inability to be contained or understood)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">The mystery is that we can at once grasp His personal attention while at the same time recognize that He is a Holy God far beyond our reach. Were it not for Him choosing to commune with us and granting us that privilege, we would never be able to reach Him.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTSJ56OtB7E/YC7J7Z3f81I/AAAAAAAAEIM/A9u6AzQqBWcVCOxrioAKxsOyOxRsbEp1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s940/Worship%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTSJ56OtB7E/YC7J7Z3f81I/AAAAAAAAEIM/A9u6AzQqBWcVCOxrioAKxsOyOxRsbEp1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Worship%2521.png" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br />Worship is a celebration</i><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">It is a celebration of God in History. His work at creation. His leading of the people in the Bible. His coming as a child, reducing His transcendence into the form of a helpless baby.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Worship is a celebration of Jesus life, His teachings, His suffering and His death in our place, as well as His resurrection and victory over the power of death.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Worship is, as writer Von Ogden Vogt put it: "an interruption of work to praise and celebrate God’s goodness." The problem with most of our society today is that they never stop working. I went out onto my porch at about 6 this morning, and was amazed at the amount of people heading to work or driving work vehicles already. We need to interupt our work to praise and celebrate God’s goodness.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship is Life or Lifestyle</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">In it’s broadest sense, worship is related to all human action. As a part of creation, humankind responds in gratitude to the creator. Every area of life belongs to the Kingdom of God; therefore, worship is practicing the presence of God in every experience in life.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">When I talk with someone, I practice the presence of God…that is, I talk as if God were standing right there with me. When I eat, I practice the presence (and possibly the restraint) of God. When I study, I study as if God were there with me. When I pray, I practice the presence of God. When I go to Wal-Mart, I stand in line as if God were right there with me. (and He needs to be with me in the line.) Anything I do in life then, becomes an act of worship if I practice the presence of God.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship is dialogue.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Worship is a dialogue between God and the worshipper. God is revealed to the worshipper’s spirit through the Bible, through the fellowship of believers, through music, through symbols, through banners, through human actions and through God’s Spirit. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">As God is revealed, the worshipper is moved to respond.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">When I talk about the manger scene…Joseph and Mary struggle up the hill, exhausted as they take those final steps into Bethlehem. Mary may already be experiencing labor pains and Joseph is urgently seeking shelter because the baby is coming. When you read those words describing Jesus's beginnings, you are moved to respond. Think about someone who yells in a crowd: "Make some room, we have a pregnant lady with a baby on the way and we have to get her to the hospital." That revelation causes your response. You are compelled to move. As God is revealed, the worshipper is moved to respond.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">It is more than a conversation though. It is an encounter. In the encounter, God confronts and makes demands on the worshipper. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">There are times as we worship that we come under conviction. There may be something in our life that is out of line. God wants us to yield that to Him as we worship.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">There may be a hurt that we have hung on to that is now eating our spirituality alive in the clutches of bitterness. Worship gently demands that we let go of it.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">There may be un-forgiveness in the heart. God confronts us in worship with our own sinfulness and then asks, “If I’ve already forgiven you, shouldn’t you forgive one another?”</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">It’s an encounter where God confronts and urges the worshipper to respond.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship is an offering.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">In the Old Testament system, worship always included a sacrifice. A giving up of something. Giving is central to worship; both what we have and what we are. True worship demands that we give of our selves and of our means.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i>Worship is Eschatological fulfillment</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Gerhard Delling, in his book entitled, “Worship in the New Testament” pg 182 says: It is the continuing decisive working out of salvation in history, which ends in the eternal adoration of God.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Isa 66: 22,23 "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. “From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">W.T. Connor, in his book, “The Gospel of Redemption” pg 277 states, “The first business, then, of a church is not evangelism, nor missions, nor benevolence; (meaning service to others) <b><i>it is worship</i></b>. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The worship of God in Christ should be at the center of all else that the church does. It is the mainspring of all the activity of the church. </i>(Emphasis mine)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><b>The heart of worship then comes down to the heart of the worshipper. </b> There is no possibility of the church being Christian without worship. There is no possibility of a Christian being Christian without worship. So the question begs to be asked: What is in your heart today?</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Are you weighed down with the cares of life? Ps. 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Let go and worship.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Are you seeking to see your way clear on an issue? Prov. 3: 5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Let go and worship.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Do you find yourself bound up in worry? 1Pet. 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Let go and worship.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Are you angry and unforgiving? Col. 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Let go and worship.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;">Whatever it is, let go and worship. Put aside the cares, the worries, the hurts, the pain and worship. Let’s go back to the manger, and worship Him. Let’s go to the foot of the cross and worship Him. Let’s go to the empty tomb and worship Him. Let’s go to the glorious return of Jesus that is promised and worship Him. Worship Him with your heart, worship Him with your mind, worship Him with your body, worship Him with all you have. Immerse yourself in worship. For then you’ve gone back to the true Heart of Worship.</p><div><br /></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-60463624194348773982021-01-30T09:38:00.004-05:002021-02-04T11:27:14.656-05:00A Future and Some Hope<p class="p3" style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rba9VE7ftp8/YBVnojFTJgI/AAAAAAAAEHc/_u3WipYw1VY90uQUPBUr7vVeMSWL9R6JwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/A%2Bfuture%2Band%2Bsome%2Bhope.001.jpeg" width="400" /></div><br />Have you ever hoped for something…only to have your hopes dashed?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Have you ever found yourself really disappointed by life?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Many of you, during this reign of Covid, have probably had many plans thrown by the wayside.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Seniors…is this the year that you were hoping it would be?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I know it certainly isn’t the life I was expecting to be living just one year ago.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Remember last January?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were barely hearing things about Covid…and it was happening somewhere over in China…so who really paid attention?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And now…note even 10 months after the shutdown, we have had over 425,000 deaths just here in the United States.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Crazy! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And whenever huge stuff like this comes along, trusting in anything goes out the window.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The qualifier for just about every plan is worse than Atlanta traffic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We used to say, we should be somewhere in South GA or Florida, and then we used the qualifier…depending on Atlanta traffic. Now all of our future plans, activities, trips, etc. have one big qualifier.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What is it?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yeah…depending on Covid.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So everything seems uncertain, tenuous, scary and trust in anything seems to go out the window.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Times; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">Have you also noticed that trusting in God is even harder under these circumstances?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ever noticed how hard it is to trust God, even though the Bible says over and over again that He is trustworthy? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But we’ve grown jaded.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cynical. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Skeptical. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What we read and what we see seem to be two different things. Especially in this time of Covid, when things that we once had hoped and dreamed for keep falling by the wayside. I bet, Seniors, that you were hoping for more for your senior year. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I bet that all of you are just looking for the day that we can shed these masks and be normal again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Where is God in the middle of Covid?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why doesn’t He do something.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why does He seem silent?</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When it comes to trusting God with our future, we often opt for what <i>we think we see</i> over what scripture says about God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And the devil uses the seeming contradictions to widen the trust schism between us and God.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ever heard one of these?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“If God is so good, why does He allow innocent children to die of starvation?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or “What kind of God would allow so much suffering in the world if He has the power to do something about it?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or “I trusted, I prayed, I believed, and my loved one died anyway—so<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>how can I ever trust Him again?” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Or the most recent one… “Where is your God now?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why doesn’t He do something about this horrible disease?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ever heard any of those?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If so, you’ve heard the devil speak to you.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Satan himself is the cause of all of the misery that we are suffering, and he looks up from his latest victim, with blood on his hands and screams—“If your God is so good, why didn’t he stop me from killing this one?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If He’s so powerful, why didn’t He step in and do something?”</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And while this is not a sermon on death and dying and fairness and good versus evil, the question does beg an answer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps a story by author Max Lucado from His book <b><i>He Chose the Nails</i></b> can help us understand more on this trust issue.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Listen to this.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ever tried to convince a mouse not to worry? Ever succeeded in pacifying the panic of a rodent? If so, you are wiser than I. My attempt was not successful. My comforting words fell on tiny, deaf ears.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Not that the fellow deserved any kindness, mind you. Because of him, Denalyn screamed. Because of the scream, the garage shook. Because the garage shook, I was yanked out of dreamland and off my La-Z-Boy and called to defend my wife and country. I was proud to go. With shoulders high, I marched into the garage.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The mouse never had a chance. I know jujitsu, karate, tae kwan do and several other ... uh, phrases. I've even watched self-defense infomercials. This mouse had met his match.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Besides, he was trapped in an empty trash can. How he got there only he knows, and he ain't telling. I know, I asked him. His only reply was a mad rush around the base of the can.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The poor guy was scared to the tip of his whiskers. And who wouldn't be? Imagine being caged in a plastic container and looking up only to see the large (albeit handsome) face of a human. Would be enough to make you chuck up your cheese.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"What are you going to do with him?" Denalyn asked, clutching my arm for courage.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"Don't worry, little darlin'," I replied with a swagger that made her swoon and would have made John Wayne jealous. "I'll go easy on the little fellow."</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So off we went-the mouse, the trash can, and me, marching down the cul-de-sac toward an empty lot. "Stick with me, little guy. I'll have you home in no time." He didn't listen. You'd have thought we were walking to death row. Had I not placed a lid on the can, the furry fellow would have jumped out. "I'm not going to hurt you," I explained. "I'm going to release you. You got yourself into a mess; I'm going to get you out."</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He never calmed down. He never sat still. He never-well, he never trusted me. Even at the last moment, when I tilted the can on the ground and set him free, did he turn around and say thank you? Did he invite me to his mouse house for a meal? No. He just ran. (Was it my imagination, or did I hear him shouting, "Get back! Get back! Max, the mouse-hater, is here"?)</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Honestly. What would I have to do to win his trust? Learn to speak Mouse-agese? Grow beady eyes and a long tail? Get down in the trash with him? Thanks, but no thanks. I mean, the mouse was cute and all, but he wasn't worth that much.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Apparently you and I are.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You think it's absurd for a man to become a mouse? The journey from your house to a trash can is far shorter than the one from heaven to earth. But Jesus took it. Why?</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He wants us to trust Him.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Explore this thought with me for just a moment. Why did Jesus live on the earth as long as he did? Couldn't his life have been much shorter? Why not step into our world just long enough to die for our sins and then leave? Why not a sinless year or week? Why did he have to live a life? To take on our sins is one thing, but to take on our sunburns, our sore throats? To experience death, yes- but to put up with life? To put up with long roads, long days, and short tempers? Why did he do it?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Because he wants you to trust him. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even his final act on earth was intended to win your trust.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>He Chose The Nails, p. 89 -91.</i></b></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And so we return to the question: —“If your God is so good, why didn’t he stop me from killing this one?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If He’s so powerful, why didn’t He step in and do something?”</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The answer: He did.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But He did it in the only way that still allows you a choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God valued your choice so much that He Himself will not violate it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And so He wanted to show you that He can be trusted, but that trusting Him is a choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He never wanted to remove from you your power of choice, otherwise, He would have played into Satan’s accusations that God was not fair <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And so the choice remains; your choice, my choice, and even Satan’s choice, along with the possibility of God being misunderstood and maligned.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And Satan uses that very choice to cause many to turn away from God.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But if you look past the apparent contradictions, you will find that there is ample evidence to trust Him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yet it still remains that it is all about the choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>YOUR choice. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And so we weigh the evidence. On the one side, we can see that God loves us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He came and died to save us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He’s promised to come back for us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But on the other hand, we can also see that there is much evil in the world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As Billy Bob once said, “That don’t take no rocket surgeon to figure out.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It is much easier to go with what is seen than to trust the unseen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>We can see</i> all the violence and disease and death.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So much so, that sometimes it seems impossible to see God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But that’s where the choice comes in.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>We will see what we choose to look for</i>.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I went to Prater’s Mill with my daughter, Andrea, several years ago when they were<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>having the old time country fair.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>One of the exhibitor’s there took photographs of birds.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>All of his photographs were of some type of wild bird.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He had an incredible display.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But there was one picture that really spoke to me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The framed version was $195.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’m too cheap to pay that much, but I had to have the picture, so I looked through all of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>his mounted photographs, and finally found it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And bought it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fb0207; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k39mKXPTQe0/YBVk4TZCzBI/AAAAAAAAEHI/igmaTOzEDP8Eg9HB4Pnu7eqmWyR04xKBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5735.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k39mKXPTQe0/YBVk4TZCzBI/AAAAAAAAEHI/igmaTOzEDP8Eg9HB4Pnu7eqmWyR04xKBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w268-h400/IMG_5735.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><i>Check out this picture.</i><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="color: #fb0207;"> </span>What do you see?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>An old window frame. Cracked and peeling paint. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Broken glass.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Dead weeds.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Painted window panes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even some bird poop.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These are not the things that spoke to me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We see those type of things all the time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What spoke to me is what is in the lower right quadrant of this picture.<p></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the face of all the ugliness; in the midst of the old and broken down, your eye begins to see a few sprigs of green vine.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Signs that there is life in the brokenness.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But if you look a little higher, you will see a magnificent ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on the sill where glass has been broken out, and he is <i>looking UP!</i></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">That’s the way God works.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the midst of our broken and shattered lives, we’ve got to be looking for the tiniest evidence that shows that our God is still with us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s all about the choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What are we choosing to focus on? The ugly and broken in this world?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The cracked and peeling paint of our lives?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The bird poop events that happen to us?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Or are we choosing to look at the tiny gorgeous ruby-throated<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>hummingbird promises that God has left for us. I have had this picture in my office for years on the back wall directly in front of my desk chair, so that no matter what life may throw at me...it always reminds me that I have a choice. You have a choice. We get to CHOOSE where we place our focus.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We can either grow jaded or joyful.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can grow bitter or better.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Stronger or weaker.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hopeful or Hopeless.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>It all depends on what we choose to focus on. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><i></i><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Satan screams while God whispers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In our current world it may seem that God is silent, but He isn’t.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He’s still speaking to those who will listen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> And you can be sure of this, while </span>He may start in a still, small voice, one day God will thunder and Satan will whimper.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our perspective makes all the difference.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Which reminds me of a story I read.</span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A number of years ago, there was a little girl that walked daily to and from school. Though the weather that one particular morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school, and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. Suddenly, there was a roar of thunder, and lightning, like a flaming sword, cut the sky.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now fully concerned, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her daughter’s school. As she did so, she finally spotted her child.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Rather than being terrified by the lightning, she saw her little girl walking along, and at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Another and another were to follow quickly, each with the little girl stopping, looking at the streak of light and smiling. After witnessing the fourth flash, the mother, shook off her amazement, rolled down her window and called her to come and get in the car. When the young girl was safely in the car her mother asked,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"What in the world were you doing?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why didn’t you hurry?"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The child answered, "Well, I meant to come right home, but God just kept taking pictures of me."</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">How do you face your storms?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Are you fretful and worried, or do you see God taking your picture for his Faith Hall of Fame?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It all depends on how you choose.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Which brings us to the future.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How can you trust God with your future? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Wouldn’t it depend on how you see God operating in your past?</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Christian Author and speaker, Ellen White, once wrote: <i>In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.</i> {CET 204.1} (Christian Experience and Teaching by Ellen<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>White)</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Did you catch that?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We have nothing to fear for our future, <i>except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us</i>…</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">How can you trust God with your future? Let me quickly take you through some things that can help, no matter if you are trying to figure out what to take in college or if your world<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>has caved in and you don’t know if you can go on, or if you are just simply seeking to make it through the day. But rather than you hearing my words, let me take you straight to what God, Himself promised. </p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p6" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>First of all look at how He has led you in the past.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i> Go over His blessings to you. Look at His miracles in your life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Remember what He did for you on the cross and what He continues to do for you now.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you can see His faithfulness in the past, it is easier to trust God with your future.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Has He saved you in an accident or seen you through a critical illness or surgery?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Did He provide a way for you to be here at GCA?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Has he worked anything out for your family?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Can you see his faithfulness in the past? If so, <i>remember it.</i></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Secondly, </i><b><i>choose</i></b><i> not to worry but to look to God.</i> Choose to trust that God will make a way.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Psa. 37:3</b> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trust in the LORD and do good.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>4</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>Take delight in the LORD,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and he will give you your heart’s desires.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Psa. 37:5</b> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Commit everything you do to the LORD.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trust him, and he will help you.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>6</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When your heart lines up with His heart, He will give you what you desire…which is exactly what He desires.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Not only will He give you the desires of your heart, but <b><i>God himself promises to walk with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>you.</i></b></p><p class="p7" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #fb0207;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Is. 43:1</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But now, O Jacob, </span>(and here you could insert your own name instead of Jacob)<span style="color: #fb0207;"> listen to the LORD who created you.</span></p><p class="p7" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #fb0207;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>O Israel,</span>(insert your name again)<span style="color: #fb0207;"> the one who formed you says,</span></p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I have called you by name; you are mine.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>2</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>When you go through deep waters,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I will be with you.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When you go through rivers of difficulty,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>you will not drown.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When you walk through the fire of oppression,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>you will not be burned up;</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the flames will not consume you.</p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Third, learn to wait on the Lord and seek His guidance.</i></p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Lam. 3:25</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The LORD is good to those who depend on him,</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>to those who search for him.<span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>26</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So it is good to wait quietly</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>for salvation from the LORD<span class="s6" style="color: black;">.</span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Waiting quietly can help you refocus your energy on what is really important.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Matt. 6:33</b></span><span class="s8" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Seek the Kingdom of God<span class="s9" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>a</sup></span> above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We often spend so much time and energy in worrying about the future, rather than in seeking God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But it is in the waiting and the seeking that we find our strength.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Fourth, Know that God has a plan for you and it includes hope</i>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Again, though, it is in seeking the Lord that we find that hope.</p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Jer. 29:11-13</b></span><span class="s8" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span class="s6" style="color: black;"> </span> For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. <span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>12</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In those days when you pray, I will listen. <span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>13</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Is. 40:28-31</b></span><span class="s6" style="color: black;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>Have you never heard? Have you never understood?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The LORD is the everlasting God,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the Creator of all the earth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He never grows weak or weary.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>No one can measure the depths of his understanding.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>29</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>30</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>31</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They will walk and not faint.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Fifth-Don’t get hung up on past failures.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Look expectantly to a new future with God.</i></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Is. 43:18,19</b></span>“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.</p><p class="p7" style="color: #fb0207; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>19</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For I am about to do something new.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">God can make you prosper even in the driest of times or the worst of times in your life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And as you grow in your trust relationship with Him, He will cause you to grow stronger and stronger. What He doesn't deliver you from, He will bring you through to in order to strengthen you.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span class="s10" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Sixth- Walk each day in trust and you will find new strength</i></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Psa. 20:7,8</b></span><span class="s8" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>8</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Those nations will fall down and collapse,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>but we will rise up and stand firm.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="s11" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">See, trusting God helps you stand firm</span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Psa. 125:1</b></span><span class="s8" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> ¶ </span>Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. <span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>2</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Seventh—Look<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for the next natural step and be willing to take it.</i></p><p class="p8" style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Prov. 3:5</b></span><span class="s12" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b> </b></span>Trust in the LORD with all your heart;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>do not depend on your own understanding. <span class="s5" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>6</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Seek his will in all you do,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and he will show you which path to take.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As you follow His leading, the whole picture will come together for you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you focus on Jesus, He will order the pieces of your world and they will fit together perfectly. Which reminds me of another story.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There was a man who had a little boy that he loved very much. Everyday after work the man would come home and play with the little boy. He would always spend all of his extra time playing with the little boy.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One night, while the man was at work, he realized that he had extra work to do for the evening, and that he wouldn't be able to play with his little boy. But, he wanted to be able to give the boy something to keep him busy. So, looking around his office, he saw a magazine with a large map of the world on the cover. He got an idea. He removed the map, and then patiently tore it up into small pieces. Then he put all the pieces in his coat pocket.</p><p class="p9" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When he got home, the little boy came running to him and was ready to play. The man explained that he had extra work to do and couldn't play just now, but he led the little boy into the dining room, and taking out all the pieces of the map, he spread them on the table. He explained that it was a map of the world, and that by the time he could put it back together, his extra work would be finished, and they could both play. Surely this would keep the child busy for hours, he thought.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">About half an hour later the boy came to the man and said, "Okay, it's finished. Can we play now?”</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The man was surprised, saying, "That's impossible. Let's go see." And sure enough, there was the picture of the world, all put together, every piece in it's place.</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The man said, "That's amazing ! How did you do that ?" The boy said, "It was simple. On the back of the page was a picture of a man. When I put the man together, I taped it so it wouldn’t mess up, and then I turned it over and the whole world was together.”</p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew West has a great song called “Take Heart”. He premiered it just a few weeks after Covid caused the shutdown here in the US.<br /><br />The lyrics start this way:</span><p class="p11" style="color: #18191b; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Woke up this morning</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>And life as you know it</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Looks nothing like the kind of life you knew before</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>All of a sudden</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Fear stole the headlines</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>And it don't feel safe to even step outside your door</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>In this world you will have trouble</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>But I have overcome the world</i></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>So take heart</i>—-<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3osp2p_gLx4" target="_blank"> Listen to this.</a></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you just trust in Jesus, your problems will find resolution.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you trust in Jesus, your fears can be quelled.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you trust Jesus, your future will be sure.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you trust Jesus with your future you will have not only hope, but a very bright future. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pray with me. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s10" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>Rom. 15:13</b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.</span></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium;">This blogpost was taken from the manuscript of a talk I delivered to the students at Georgia-Cumberland Academy on Friday night, Jan. 29, 2021. </span></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-27014663757033467542021-01-28T12:55:00.001-05:002021-01-28T12:55:13.795-05:00Godliness with Contentment<p>Years ago, Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who "owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man." One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man--poor because he was discontented. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He traveled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he committed suicide. One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golcanda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds. (G. Sweeting, in Moody Monthly, May, 1988, p. 95.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbs7ENHVAoA/YBL5SWwvksI/AAAAAAAAEGc/9k0ETR7A5xgmTIpB37FNbaY3q3DFUor7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s643/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-28%2Bat%2B12.49.24%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="643" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbs7ENHVAoA/YBL5SWwvksI/AAAAAAAAEGc/9k0ETR7A5xgmTIpB37FNbaY3q3DFUor7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-28%2Bat%2B12.49.24%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">True story.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And we look at Ali Hafed and we say, “Dude, you should have stayed put!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">but almost everyone of us is infected with the same thing.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A lack of contentment with what we have.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If I were to ask you to name three things you wish you had, what would you tell me? </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now…if I were to ask you for three things you are thankful for, what would you tell me?</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Which was easier to come up with? Why? Did you know we spend far more time thinking about the things we wish we had than we do being thankful for the things we do have.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Benjamin Franklin once wrote "Being content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It isn’t about how much you have. It’s about how you view your circumstances. The apostle Paul tells us the same thing in his first letter to Timothy and he’s talking to him about people who call themselves Christian teachers who do so for financial gain. 1Timothy ch. 6. These are men who stirred up debates and controversies, criticizing what they saw, arousing suspicions against ones that called them out, going so far as to talk maliciously about them and trash their characters. Why? To seek to show themselves more godly and perhaps even more conservative in order to pull down the big dollars. Of course that doesn’t happen in our day. Let’s look at what Paul says. </p>
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<p style="color: #fb0007; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1Tim 6:3-11</span> If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">4</span> he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions <span style="text-decoration: underline;">5</span> and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">6</span> But godliness with contentment is great gain. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">7</span> For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">8</span> But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">9</span> People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">10</span> For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">11</span> But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Did you notice verse 6? He’s been talking about all of these things and how men who have been robbed of the truth think that godliness is a means to financial gain. And then he says: <span style="color: #fb0007;">. </span><span style="color: #fb0007; text-decoration: underline;">6</span><span style="color: #fb0007;"> But godliness with contentment is great gain.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Did he say more stuff was the way to great gain? Owning more land? Better cars? Bigger houses? No… godliness with contentment. Let’s take that apart for a minute.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the original language, the word for godliness is actually two words meaning literally to worship, to be god-fearing and devout, well,well done. In other words Paul is telling us that the first component to true gain is to worship, be god-fearing and devout, <i>beyond</i> the best of our abilities—that is, we can’t even do it on our own. <i>It has to be done in us by God</i>. So we are seeking God continually and seeking to worship Him and follow His ways. And the second word, contentment, is translated, sufficiency or to be sufficient. </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So Paul says great gain is not found in wordly wealth, but in seeking to worship God and follow His ways <i>while we find our sufficiency in Him.</i> </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Put another way, when we finally understand and believe that God can and will take care of what we need, we will be content and that will show in our worship. It won’t be about money and things money can buy. It will be about knowing that God knows you, sees you and hears you and will take care of your needs. That’s sufficiency. That’s enough. That’s contentment.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tell me: Are you content?</p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-2654950155500313022021-01-21T12:32:00.002-05:002021-01-21T23:17:20.871-05:00Your Gethsemane Experience can Lead to a Resurrection<div class="separator"></div><p> <span style="font-family: georgia;">I just finished re-reading the book of John this morning, and I began picturing the closing chapters describing the Gethsemane experience of Jesus, agonizing in the dark aloneness before His Father, feeling the weight of the sins of the world descending on Him and causing Jesus to feel the separation from His Father. This was followed by the betrayal of a friend, and the abandonment of others who said they would never forsake Him, a one-sided trial, physical abuse and suffering and finally a crucifixion and death.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y7CXQ2yDec/YAm5YfBfkjI/AAAAAAAAEF4/Q1_j8rfR0YAhEjyEyRBFuhnJnmwtk64gACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jesus%2Bin%2Bgarden.jpg" width="320" /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for the disciples, all hope was totally smashed and they spent the darkest, loneliest, most fearful weekend of their lives.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They questioned all that they learned and been through over the past 3 and a half years.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They wondered if it were all for nothing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They forgot that just hours before, Jesus had told them plainly that He must suffer and die (read John ch 13-17)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And as they grieved, the oppressor of humanity came and peddled despair to add insult to injury.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Nothing had gone the way that they had hoped or planned.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But they had forgotten something.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God wasn’t following <i>their</i> plan. He was fulfilling <i>His!</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And His plans always turn out better than ours.</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the tomb, Sunday morning, a dejected Mary arrives to find it empty.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She makes assumptions and then<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Runs back to Jerusalem and tells the disciples that Jesus’ body had been taken.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Peter and John run to the tomb and find the grave clothes and wonder what in the world had happened.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And though that dawn had split time in two, it had yet to dawn on them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They left dejected as Mary finally got back. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let’s pick up the story in John 20.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="s1" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>John 20:11</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. <span class="s2" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>12</sup></b></span> She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. <span class="s2" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>13</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>14</b></span> She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. <span class="s2" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>15</sup></b></span> <span class="s3" style="color: #ca223d;">“Dear woman, why are you crying?”</span> Jesus asked her. <span class="s3" style="color: #ca223d;">“Who are you looking for?”</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>16</b></span> <span class="s3" style="color: #ca223d;">“Mary!”</span> Jesus said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>17</b></span><span class="s4" style="color: #4d4d4d;"> </span>“Don’t cling to me,”<span class="s4" style="color: #4d4d4d;"> Jesus said, </span>“for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>18</b></span> Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Later, Jesus Himself appeared among them, and at the risk of sounding cliché, the light finally dawned.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And new hope sprang to life. And they found, in Christ, all they had ever hoped for and more was resurrected within them.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which leads me to this.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>ALL of us will have our Gethsemane experiences.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We will feel separated from God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We will feel the tempter and oppressor of our souls breathing his ugly, dark breath down our necks as he seeks to peddle despair to our discouraged hearts and snuff out any flicker of hope that may be seeking to rise.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He will have friends betray us, people abandon us, others judge us unfairly and then heap abuse on us in many various forms.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And he will seek to have you, in the midst of your distress,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>pursue a course that would have you terminate your existence. And many do, as they often opt for a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and the enemy sweeps them into eternity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But here is where Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for you and I to flip the script.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you and I can only see it differently, we would see that in our darkest moments, we don’t have to give in to the temptation to end our existence, or our marriage, or whatever the temptation to give up on is, or even to lose hope.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But we can, like Jesus, pray for either the temptation to leave (let this cup pass from me) or for God to give us the strength to bear up under it. (But not my will, YOUR will, Father) </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In either case, it leads to a death. But not a final one.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It actually becomes a death that leads to resurrection.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Paul called it “the death to self”(Gal 2:19) and even said, “I die every day!” (1 Cor 15:31). And this dying to self allows for a new resurrection.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You lay down all of the abuses, the judgments, the abandonment, the betrayal and look to Christ for restoration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You choose to give up yourself and your will, in deference to the Father’s will for your life, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">recognizing that HIS plan is always better than yours, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and HE will remake things for you.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsY3YhnUG8E/YAm576kU51I/AAAAAAAAEGA/B9iGfreMKfUrZhyXpAfl8xDWd0YjfZXdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Grave%2Bclothes.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This winter, I have personally gone through what Mother Teresa, when speaking of her experience with God over the course of almost 50 years,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>termed her “dark night of the soul”.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I have been beset by trauma’s in my youth perpetrated against me, stupid choices made in trying to work my own way out of difficulties, temptations from things that I thought were long since buried, discouragement in my work, depression and darkness and hopeless feelings and a desire to cash in 40 years of ministry.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And where I found hope was recognizing that I was in my own Gethsemane experience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was all dark around me…and the tempter of souls was screaming a thousand lies into my head…and he almost won.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I almost cashed it in and walked away from ministry and from God. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But I continued to hold on to my devotional habit and I forced myself to continue to go into the Word each day…though the rest of my day was often beset with darkness and depression. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I found renewed hope was back in Gethsemane, the cross and the resurrection.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is a metaphor for so much of what we experience. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We experience the darkness…sometimes the death of dreams or hopes…but God is a God of resurrections.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And He is restoring me daily.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I had to die to a few things in the darkness…with self being the one that I, like Paul, am having to relearn to die to daily. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And in the resurrections is where new hope is found.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don’t run from your Gethsemane experience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Stay there and ask God for the strength to endure it and then to rise once again to walk in the newness of life.</span></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-54761831576226805242020-12-20T14:49:00.000-05:002020-12-20T14:49:38.893-05:00Be PERFECT--OR ELSE!<p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As a child in the 60’s, my experience in church was one of legalism and church community enforced behavioral standards.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Live “right” and all would be well.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pushback against anything…even if, or especially if, your personal understanding of scripture happened to be a bit different, and it would NOT go so well with you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Whether this is a totally accurate picture or not, I do not know, because, as a child, my perceptions were still being formed.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">But my perceptions were based on how I experienced the church, and my experience was one, with a few very noted exceptions, of a church community that tended to be a bit harsh and unbending.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Conformity of thought and external behavior seemed to be valued above a personal heart relationship with Jesus. Scriptures were interpreted for you by the ordained pastor in charge of the church, and if there was any disagreement between he and his elders (and yes, in those days it was always a “he”) then we kids in the pew never knew about it. For us, the pastor and elders represented a formidable wall of moral judgement, seeking to decide who measured up and who didn’t. If one didn’t, it seemed they were often put away privately…that is, they simply vanished from our church community and were never spoken of again. I don’t know where they went.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As I grew, pressure mounted for me to conform. Baptismal classes at age 11 centered on following Jesus, but life in the church centered on conformity to community set standards. It was confusing. And if I, or one of my friends, began to stray a little, we were always admonished to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect!” (Mt 5:48) And what I actually heard was- Be perfect-or Else! Be perfect or you won't make it to heaven. Be perfect or you are going to be lost eternally!</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWehmwkS74U/X9-qRg1VMoI/AAAAAAAAEE0/SF3fzEcSwKs6s3ts_VbwyB2YE3FB0i4RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s885/Not%2BPerfect%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="885" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWehmwkS74U/X9-qRg1VMoI/AAAAAAAAEE0/SF3fzEcSwKs6s3ts_VbwyB2YE3FB0i4RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Not%2BPerfect%2521.png" width="320" /></a></div>And the roots of perfectionism and legalism were planted deep in my soul. I <i>wanted</i> to be perfect, but somewhere in my little ADD brain, ideas sprang forth to sabotage my best intentions. And about the end of my elementary journey and the beginning of my high school years, I experienced perfectionistic burnout as I reasoned, “Well, if Jesus burden is so light, then why is the church’s burden so heavy?”<p></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And while externally maintaining “good boy” exterior, I began engaging in a full-scale rebellion of the heart- a double life, so to speak. I was doing the things externally that I needed to do to not become an outcast at church, yet exploring the darker side of life in private and with some of my closest friends who felt the same way I do.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A few years of that and I was exhausted with the dual roles I was trying to play. I had to decide which way I was going to go. A guest speaker at our Academy Bible Conference came and presented such a compelling picture of Jesus, devoid of the legalism and perfectionism, that I was overwhelmed that such could be the case. I had a wrestling time with God and slowly the Holy Spirit broke over me with a conviction that God was not calling me to wrestle sin by myself and that I didn’t need to conform to what everyone else thought.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I relented and chose to follow THAT Jesus rather than the one of my childhood. But over and over again, through my academy and later my college years, I continued to encounter people who would bring up the “Be ye perfect…” text.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As I studied to enter the ministry, I began learning about contexts and original meanings in the Greek and the setting, etc. and how important those are to understanding scripture. I began seeing that a simple reading and deducing of scripture from the King James (or any other English Translation) wasn’t enough to always be accurate to what scripture intended, because the meanings of words change the further away from the original you get. (Think the old game of “telephone” or “gossip” or whatever you called it. Much meaning gets lost in translating what you think the other person said.)</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So I began studying Matthew 5:48 from that perspective, and in fact, that changed my whole understanding of the passage and the meaning. What I found, first, is that it is NOT a stand-alone verse. If I consider the context, it is found in the middle of what we have called “The Sermon on the Mount”. (See Mt 5-Mt 7). It is simply one thought in the middle of a discourse that is much longer and much more involved that mere perfectionism.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So let’s look at context first, then we will take a look at the original word and meaning in the Greek to see if we can come to a more complete understanding: I would suggest reading all of Mathew chapters 5-7 to fully get the entire context. But let’s start in Chapter 5.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Matthew 5, Jesus is teaching His disciples…(and the crowds that began to gather) <i>about what it meant to be a follower of God.</i> Don’t pull the text out of its original context.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Vs 3-12 are listed what we have come to call the Beatitudes.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then He tells the disciples v. 13 YOU are the Salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it isn’t salty?</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V14 YOU are the light of the world…and light is to be logically shared in the midst of darkness.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">v.17 DON’T misunderstand why I have come. Not to abolish the law of Moses but to accomplish their purpose. What was their purpose? To point forward to a coming Messiah who would save the world from their sins as first promised in Gen. 3:15.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then He comes to a hinge point moment. He suddenly flips the script on them and ups the ante. It isn’t about keeping the law of Moses. It’s about raising the bar. v 20. Unless your righteousness is better than that of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">WHAT??? These were the professional religious people! They spent ALL DAY EVERY DAY seeking to live out the law of Moses…at least externally. The rest of us don’t have time for that. We have to make an honest living. But Jesus isn’t done yet.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V21-48 He raises the bar so hopelessly high that most may have despaired. He begins a series I have termed: The Law Says…But I Say. It’s a teaching of taking what they considered to be the route to be saved and what they considered the minimums of religion and showing them how hopeless they actually were at being able to live them out.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jesus is giving them a list of things that they have believed for centuries and then raising the bar.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V 21 Law says: Don’t murder. I say…if you are even angry with someone you are subject to judgement. If you call someone an idiot or your curse them, you are in danger of the fires of hell.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V27: Law says: Don’t commit adultery. I say…if you even look at a woman with lust, you’ve already committed adultery with her in your heart.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V.31. Law says: A man can divorce his wife by simply giving her a written notice. I say…if you divorce, unless there is unfaithfulness involved, you cause her to commit adultery and if you marry a divorced woman you also commit adultery.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">v.33. Law says: You must not break your vows to the Lord. But I say…don’t even make vows by heaven, earth or Jerusalem, because you have to power to keep them. Simply say yes or no and leave it.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V 38 Law says. Eye for eye. I say..if they slap the right side turn the other cheek</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">v 40 Law says: If sued for your shirt…I say…give them your coat too.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V 41 Law says: If a soldier demands you carry his gear for a mile… I say…carry it 2.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">42 Give to those who ask…don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">43 Law says Love your neighbor and hate your enemy… I say…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. You will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He gives sunlight to both the evil and good. He sends rain on the just and unjust.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It's easy to love only those who love you…If you are only kind to your friends how are you different than anyone else? And then we come to our verse. Matt. 5:<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>48</sup></b></span> <b><i>But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. </i></b>(Quoted here from the New Living Translation).</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now in its original context, Jesus doesn’t stop talking right there, but goes right on teaching. “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” Matt 6:1</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He then goes on to contrast what the Pharisees do with what His disciples should do.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Phrases from the following verses would include: v2 “don’t call attention to yourself” , v 3“don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” v4 “give gifts in private and the Father will reward you.”</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V5 Don’t pray in the streets to be seen. Pray in private. V7 When you pray, don’t babble on and on… but pray like this: and He gives them a sample prayer.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">V14 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you, but if you refuse to forgive others your Father will not forgive your sins.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He goes on to talk about fasting, and storing up treasures in heaven so that your heart will follow your treasure. He talks about being careful what you look at and what you set your heart on so that you won’t be enslaved by your love of money.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then He points out our need not to worry, but to trust. And so on.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The context is not talking about working your way to heaven, or a formula for perfectionism. So let’s go now to the actual word translated "perfect" in this passage.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The word translated “perfect” in verse 48 is the Greek word “telios” (tel’i os) and means literally: <i>brought to completion; fully accomplished, fully developed; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); without shortcoming in respect of a certain standard.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So a more literal translation of that verse might be: Be complete (spiritually mature) as your Father in heaven is complete. Or Be fully developed spiritually as your Father in Heaven is already fully developed.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What would that mean in this context? Jesus has already told them that they will have to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees if they are going to make it. He has already pointed out what the law said and then raised the bar. He goes on to say, in essence, “…and there is a whole lot more! Deeds aren’t to be necessarily seen, forgive freely, pray in private for what you need, look towards your treasure in heaven, so your heart will be there and not here.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And I can imagine the disciples thinking…”this is going to be next to impossible.” But in the ensuing weeks and years, they began to see that though they weren’t equal to the righteousness that Christ was calling them to attain, <b><i>that HE, in fact, was, and that He was calling them to live in HIS righteousness</i></b>. They began to realize that they had salvation through their faith in Jesus, by the Grace of God, and that it was God Himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit that was leading and growing them into the followers the HE was desiring. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In fact, Paul, in the books of Ephesians and Philippians attests to this idea. Quoting now- but all emphasis mine)</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d6699;"><b><i>Eph. 2:4</i></b></span><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>5</sup></i></b></span><i> that <b>even though we were dead</b> because of our sins, </i><b><i>he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)</i></b><i> </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>6</sup></i></b></span><i> For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms <b>because we are united</b> with Christ Jesus. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>7</sup></i></b></span><i> </i><b><i>So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of HIS grace and kindness</i></b><i> toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d6699;"><b><i>Eph. 2:8</i></b></span><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><b><i>God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this;</i></b><i> it is a gift from God. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>9</sup></i></b></span><i> Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>10</sup></i></b></span><i> For </i><b><i>we are God’s masterpiece.</i></b><i> </i><b><i>He has created us anew in Christ Jesus</i></b><i>, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>NOTE: So I can’t make myself perfect OR complete.</b> It is Christ’s work in me. My job is to simply focus on experiencing Christ and learn of Him and then HE does the work changing me to be more like Himself. Paul continues this line of thinking in Eph 3:14-21.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d6699;"><b><i>Eph. 3:12</i></b></span><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><b><i>Because of Christ and our faith in Him</i></b><i>,</i><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span><i> we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>13</sup></i></b></span><i> So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d6699;"><b><i>Eph. 3:14</i></b></span><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,</i><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span><i> </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>15</sup></i></b></span><i> the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.</i><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span><i> </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>16</sup></i></b></span><i> I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources </i><b><i>he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit</i></b><i>. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>17</sup></i></b></span><i> Then </i><b><i>Christ will make his home in your hearts</i></b><i> <b><u>as you trust in him</u></b>. </i><b><i>Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.</i></b><i> </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>18</sup></i></b></span><i> And may you have the </i><b><i>power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. </i></b><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>19</sup></i></b></span><i> May you </i><b><i><u>experience </u>the love of Christ, </i></b><i>though it is too great to understand fully. Then </i><b><i>you will be made complete</i></b><i> with all the </i><b><i>fullness of life and power that comes from God</i></b><i>.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0d6699;"><b><i>Eph. 3:20</i></b></span><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Now all glory to God, who is able, </i><b><i>through his mighty power at work within us</i></b><i>, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. </i><span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>21</sup></i></b></span><i> Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Phil 1:<span style="color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>6</sup></b></span> And I am certain <b><i>that God, who began the good work within you</i></b>, <b><i>will continue his work until it is finally finished</i> on the day when Christ Jesus returns.</b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So my takeaway… God wants me to be spiritually mature (perfect) able to look, act and emulate the Character of Christ. NOT because “I” work hard at my own perfection, but because I spend my time putting down my roots into the love of Christ and drink the nutrients of HIS love into my life and allow Him to change me.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Much like a tree cannot produce good fruits by choosing to pull its roots up to focus on the fruit it is producing above, nor can I, if I am simply focusing on my fruits. (choosing not to lie. Choosing not to do some sin, etc) Instead of pulling up my roots to inspect my fruit, I have to send them down into the soil of the grace of God and simply absorb Jesus into my very being and let Him be lifted up through the core of my being and HE does HIS work in me to transform me to be more like HIMSELF…so that when that day comes, HE presents me to the FATHER as a perfect person, (“telios” <i>completed</i>, <i>fully accomplished, fully developed, without shortcoming in respect of a certain standard) </i>even as my Father is <i>telios</i>! Praise God I’m not left to fend for myself. NOR are you!</p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw8Eu24R-O8/X9-mTUMNxbI/AAAAAAAAEEo/GYAoZCYSCEQSSiPJ9bn6cadm88qgGh3XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s840/7252422.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="840" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw8Eu24R-O8/X9-mTUMNxbI/AAAAAAAAEEo/GYAoZCYSCEQSSiPJ9bn6cadm88qgGh3XwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h280/7252422.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-24136426613423100762020-12-12T15:59:00.000-05:002020-12-12T15:59:07.153-05:00The Bride of Christ has a Cutting Habit<p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As a pastor, I am weary. Not only of the whole Covid thing, or the political thing. I'm weary of wading through much of the stuff that gets sent to my inbox by well-meaning people that I love who are trying to "get me on their side" in hopes of using my influence to help gain a following. Yes, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm weary of Christians who have forgotten their calling and have made it their mission to champion lesser callings even to the detriment of the other members of the church.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We Christians, have almost always, been our own worst enemies.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And many of us have ceased to promote the cause of God as we have been side-tracked promoting the causes of men.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And whenever that happens, division occurs in the church.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To be sure, there is already plenty to divide Christians, what with our doctrinal differences and understanding of the scriptures from our varying vantage points and ecclesiastic filters.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Differences of opinion have always existed, but they don’t have to divide us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In fact, they can be learning points as we discuss and share our understandings with others and they with us.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApSPMfs3qLY/X9UmsA_4ZMI/AAAAAAAAEDw/u1BD3jitQjoe0Pju1uXnQK_xUg4WfhkbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApSPMfs3qLY/X9UmsA_4ZMI/AAAAAAAAEDw/u1BD3jitQjoe0Pju1uXnQK_xUg4WfhkbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cutting.jpg" /></a></div>It’s when we cease discussing and instead, begin yelling, both verbally and non-verbally, that the damage is done.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And let’s be clear, there <i>is</i> lots of damage being done to the Body of Christ right now by those inside it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is as if the Bride of Christ has become enmeshed in self-destructive cutting, seeking to do another part of the Body in, never realizing that cutting one part of the body always takes its toll on our own part of the Body.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We can’t build up our side while the other side bleeds out!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <b><i> </i></b></span><b><i>We are ONE BODY!</i></b><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And to an on-looking world, we appear to be more and more psychotic, and the cause of Christ is dismissed as ludicrous and laughable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And as the Body bleeds, it bleeds precious souls who can no longer stomach the infighting and the aggression shown by one part for the other.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Often, those are the souls of the young, who take the very life-blood of the Body with them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They have enough Jesus that they want to hold on to Him, but want to distance themselves from His Bride because they either cannot make sense of the Church any longer, or they themselves have been led to take up lesser causes by those in charge.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is not new, you know.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We find an interesting story recorded in the book of 1 Corinthians. The topic: Meat offered to idols.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Oh…it was divisive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“We are free in Christ!”, one would say, “and therefore it doesn’t matter that it was offered to idols!” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“But we have left idol worship and there is so much other food out there!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Why should we go back to eating that food?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“You are just yielding to fear and not standing in your freedom in Christ!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And the debate got so hot they finally asked Paul to weigh in.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And Paul approached it from a whole different angle than they were expecting.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>1Cor. 8:4</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>5</sup></b></span> There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>6</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But for us,</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>There is one God, the Father,</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>by whom all things were created,</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and for whom we live.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>through whom all things were created,</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and through whom we live.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And those on the “freedom” side of the issue went…aha…see…WE were right!!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But Paul isn’t done yet. Let’s read on.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>1Cor. 8:7</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>8</sup></b></span> It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. <b><i>We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it,</i></b> and <b><i>we don’t gain anything if we do.</i></b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Do you see where Paul is heading here?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And the next sentence is key here as we even look for application today.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>1Cor. 8:9</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>10</sup></b></span> For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>11</sup></b></span> So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. <span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>12</sup></b></span><b><i> And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And then Paul finishes with his own declaration—<span style="color: red;"><span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>13</sup></b></span> So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for <b><i>I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.</i></b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The principle is simple— <b><i>Live your life in such a way that you seek to build other people into stronger believers.</i></b> It means living as a Christian on a higher plane than just our own thoughts and beliefs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is taking others into consideration as we hold ourselves to a higher standard of seeking to be Christ-like in our behavior. It means humbly laying down our “rights” as humbly as Christ laid down His life. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And yet, here we are a few thousand years later, and many of us have either never stumbled on this part of the Bible, or have forgotten this principle as we use the same logic and arguments of those in the world and seek to pummel those who oppose us into alignment with our beliefs about politics, the virus, masks vs. no masks and vaxx vs. anti-vaxx. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And when they refuse, we either redouble the direct attacks at them, or we (perhaps angrily or perhaps sadly) leave them and join others who believe like we on those topics, and talk about how ignorant, mislead and wrong the other side is.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>And we forget that they are someone for whom Christ died.</i></b></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">While I’m not suggesting that you violate your own conscience in any way, I am suggesting that perhaps you could tone down the rhetoric when discussing them online, as well as in person, with someone who may not see things as you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Where you may see a conspiracy or loss of freedoms, others are living in abject fear of a disease that has perhaps already taken a loved one from them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To ridicule them for their fear doesn’t build up the Body of Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It cuts it open.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And while you may believe that everyone should be wearing a mask, being critical, judgmental and dismissive of those who perhaps choose not to or see it as an invasion of their freedom also doesn’t build up the Body.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It cuts it open more.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Have you considered that it is pride that keeps us from even wanting to humble ourselves to help someone on the other side?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What if we were to humble ourselves, for the sake of Christ, and actually try to apply Biblical principles to the difficult situation that we face?</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What if, for those who believe it is necessary to wear masks for the health of the whole community,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we were able to re-apply Paul’s words of 1 Cor 8:7 here?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps we could rephrase it to read:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>“We don’t lose anything if we wear it and we don’t gain anything if we don’t wear it.”</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"><i> </i> In other words, w</span>earing a mask is not necessarily the point, but what if, though I might not believe in their efficacy, I went ahead and wore one in public, not for MY sake, but for the sake of those who are fearful and just want to feel safe?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Could I further the cause of Christ by simply being considerate of others? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And for those who would love to see forced vaccines, what if you were to go back and look at verse 12.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">"</span></span><i>And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ."</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><i></i><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Christ’s way has never been one of force, or ridicule, or superiority, or battling of words or any of the things we employ as we seek to best our opponents, whether inside or outside the church.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His has always been a way of love and of choosing to humble oneself for the good of others, putting their needs ahead of one’s own.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Have we forgotten why Christ died and the message He entrusted to us?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It isn’t to politics, or to champion masks or vaccines that we are called.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are called to so much more.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ours is a calling that is to help people see that God loved so much that He sent His son Jesus to die because He was not willing for ANY to perish!</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If we continue on, I fear that with each jab, stab or slice, more precious souls will continue to bleed out of the Body, leaving it weakened and dying.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And we are doing it to ourselves! We were meant for so much more.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Christ calls us to a higher level.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And if we continue to attack one another within the walls of the church, Christ’s sacrifice and message of Love is totally voided and nullified in the eyes of an onlooking world.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Though the commandments, the Sabbath, the Sanctuary and the Second Coming doctrines are all important, NONE of them are what Christ said would be His identifying mark of His followers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There is only ONE identifying mark and we are missing it badly right now, Church.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;">J<b>ohn 13:35</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Your <b><i>love </i></b><i>for </i><b><i>one another</i> </b>will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The left hand has to stop cutting on the right and the right has to stop slicing the left.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are all ONE body.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Let’s take care of ourselves through the power of Christ and then get on with taking HIS message to a dying world because THAT is our true mission.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRYpsZwsV0g/X9UpsXczg9I/AAAAAAAAED8/kwOqov_XgoEyQ6aOYG-riXwlykZedRblwCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Jesus-washing-feet-021-300x253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRYpsZwsV0g/X9UpsXczg9I/AAAAAAAAED8/kwOqov_XgoEyQ6aOYG-riXwlykZedRblwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Jesus-washing-feet-021-300x253.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><h2 style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="color: #4d4d4d; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></b></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Philippians 2:5-11<br /></span></b></span><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>5</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.<br /><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>6</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Though he was God,<span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup><br /></sup></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>he did not think of equality with God<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>as something to cling to.<br /><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>7</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>he took the humble position of a slave<span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup><br /></sup></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>and was born as a human being.<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>When he appeared in human form,<span class="s2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup><br /></sup></span><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>8</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>he humbled himself in obedience to God<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>and died a criminal’s death on a cross.<br /><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>9</b></span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>and gave him the name above all other names,<br /><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>10</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>in heaven and on earth and under the earth,<br /><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>11</sup></b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>to the glory of God the Father.</span></h4></blockquote><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div></span></span></h2>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-41025005813444765772020-11-17T09:23:00.000-05:002020-11-17T09:23:23.060-05:00Long Haul Endurance<p> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">As this Covid thing rages on, I find myself growing very weary, and some days, just flat out discouraged. It's so hard some days just to get up and put one foot in front of the other and make yourself go out the door to do the same things you've done so many days before. And to make it worse, it sometimes feels like you aren't getting anywhere. Which is what makes today's word stand out like a sore thumb. I woke up this morning with the word "ENDURANCE" on my mind.</span></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="4k2s0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4k2s0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4k2s0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I thought first of Joseph and all he had to endure. I thought of the text that we looked at a few months ago that started simply with the words, "Two years passed..." when Pharaoh's butler had forgotten him in the jail after promising to tell Pharaoh about him. Contrast that with the idea that we are about 9 or 10 months into this COVID trial, and he had another 14 months totally BEYOND that. Bless his heart...and that was AFTER he had been sold into slavery by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife! He truly ENDURED a lot!</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="2ldvr-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ldvr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2ldvr-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="5mqq5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5mqq5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5mqq5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw1aelfkeTg/X7PcFBRqdCI/AAAAAAAAECw/C7gaSJLdpRUgo1jfBwAEmmyFEziMWhaggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1135/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-17%2Bat%2B9.18.13%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1135" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw1aelfkeTg/X7PcFBRqdCI/AAAAAAAAECw/C7gaSJLdpRUgo1jfBwAEmmyFEziMWhaggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-17%2Bat%2B9.18.13%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />My mind went next to Moses and how much he had to endure just leading the children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years. I will be finishing 40 years of ministry next May seeking to lead the children of Adventists and at many turns, it has been totally exhausting. The complaining, the stubbornness, the power plays and the criticism that Moses had to endure, I've also had to endure...but what's worse, unlike Moses, I've turned around and done the same to those God put over me. They have had to endure ME! (and I know that sometimes I'm not the most pleasant to be around).</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="5ia97-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ia97-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5ia97-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="5lmq8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5lmq8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5lmq8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I next thought about Jesus. He endured much. When you think of a spotless, totally innocent, holy being, having to just COME to this earth, it had to be painful to His divinity. Perhaps that is why God had Him be born and grow up, so He didn't have to learn about all of the evil all at once. Contrast that to the end of His life AFTER He had encountered demons, masses of broken people and hated by those who claimed to be representing Him.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="1818g-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1818g-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1818g-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="4a3j6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4a3j6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4a3j6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">To be alone in the Garden, much like Eve thousands of years earlier, facing the tempter and enemy of souls, but with the heat turned up way beyond what Eve and Adam had to face. Yet Jesus endured. He held on and persisted in prayer. He asked for what He wanted, yet said, "But not if it is in place of YOUR Will, Father. I want YOUR will above mine." <b><i>And HE endured to the very end of His life to give us hope in the middle of ours.</i></b></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="9bq9i-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9bq9i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9bq9i-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="90sp7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="90sp7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="90sp7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">It is during the most difficult times that we are to endure hardship so the Lord can show Himself strong in our lives. The Bible doesn’t just speak to physical suffering, but especially to suffering for the sake of the Gospel. It doesn’t just call us to endure suffering, but to embrace it. Check out these passages.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="faso-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="faso-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="faso-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="5ciii-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ciii-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5ciii-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">2Tim. 1:7</span></span><span data-offset-key="5ciii-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. </span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="j6f-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="j6f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="j6f-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">8</span></span><span data-offset-key="j6f-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> ¶ So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, </span><span data-offset-key="j6f-0-2" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">9</span></span><span data-offset-key="j6f-0-3" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="7blb9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7blb9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7blb9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="46pja-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="46pja-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">1Pet. 4:12</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> ¶ Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-2" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">13</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-3" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-4" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">14</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-5" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-6" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">15</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-7" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-8" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">16</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-9" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-10" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">17</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-11" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? </span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-12" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">18</span></span><span data-offset-key="46pja-0-13" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="9t34q-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9t34q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9t34q-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">19</span></span><span data-offset-key="9t34q-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> ¶ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="au831-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="au831-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="au831-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="de3hi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="de3hi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="de3hi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">What was that? Those who suffer according to God’s will… whoa…hold the phone… What does that mean? God <i>wants</i> us to suffer? </span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="8idne-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8idne-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8idne-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="f0853-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f0853-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="f0853-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">No…but He doesn’t necessarily want to rescue us from the troubles of this life because if He did, He knows that we would just be satisfied with staying here and then we would never long for heaven…so He allows suffering. Suffering, from that perspective then, is within His will… Whenever it comes, Peter says our response should be to <b><i>commit ourselves to our faithful Creator </i></b>and continue to do good.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="ee3ff-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ee3ff-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ee3ff-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="d192n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d192n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="d192n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Paul writing to Timothy says: 2 Timothy 2:3 </span><span data-offset-key="d192n-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." -</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="1na1s-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1na1s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1na1s-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="at5nh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="at5nh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="at5nh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The writer of the book of </span><span data-offset-key="at5nh-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">Hebrews 12:7 "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="68va0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="68va0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="68va0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="aqn94-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aqn94-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">James adds this</span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">.</span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-2" style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-3" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:2</span></span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-4" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> ¶ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, </span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-5" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-6" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (endurance) </span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-7" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></span><span data-offset-key="aqn94-0-8" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="5vnh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5vnh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5vnh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="1h378-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1h378-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1h378-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">That’s a reason for endurance. It helps us become mature and complete, not lacking anything.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="bt5vj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bt5vj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bt5vj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="an26l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="an26l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="an26l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Need one more reason to develop endurance and perseverance in your life?</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="4vu71-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4vu71-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4vu71-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="15ejc-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="15ejc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="15ejc-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:12</span></span><span data-offset-key="15ejc-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"> ¶ Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="15ejc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="15ejc-0-1" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="8j1mp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8j1mp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span data-offset-key="8j1mp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="4c0i8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4c0i8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4c0i8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So yeah...I'm tired of this COVID mess, and I wish it would just go away... I'm tired of this election mess and the uncertainties it continues to bring. I'm overwhelmed at times by all of the evil, sickness, death, and other things beyond my control, but I am called to endure it, and whatever other trials come my way, knowing that my faith is being built day by day, one choice at a time and that in due time, like Joseph, I will be taken from this dump of a prison to the palaces, not of Pharaoh, but of God Himself.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="21nm5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="21nm5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="21nm5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="b1oaa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b1oaa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="b1oaa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Hold on my friend! You too, with the the grace and help of God, can endure today.</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="ctmuk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ctmuk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ctmuk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sENI3ql9QA/X7PcUK3L83I/AAAAAAAAEC0/9vaqzEWTS0Aoa1pHnf9kov1iN_lI_cm4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s560/week12-runningwithendurance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="560" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sENI3ql9QA/X7PcUK3L83I/AAAAAAAAEC0/9vaqzEWTS0Aoa1pHnf9kov1iN_lI_cm4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h258/week12-runningwithendurance.png" width="400" /></a></div></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6hfov" data-offset-key="35vpb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-5733391202920415232020-10-15T11:17:00.000-04:002020-10-15T11:17:32.748-04:00The Thank-You Cure<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I was a kid, when the fall colors started to appear and the weather grew crisp in the Northern Hemisphere, </span> we began to look forward to a holiday that we in America simply call, Thanksgiving. It was a time to celebrate God's mercies to us throughout the year and to join with extended family members and spend a weekend enjoying food and each other's company and to discover your place in a shared family lineage as the stories were piled one on top of the other and laughter and love seemed to rule the day. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhV-x2LmiTU/X4hni4aEc8I/AAAAAAAAEBg/9qq2OLynNR0FJTud_KBFW7RvGhlczmGNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/be-thankful-postyjpeg.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />It seems as though, in our current era, we have no time to celebrate Thanksgiving, as the retailers would have us jump from Back to School Sales to Halloween Sales and then straight to Christmas. And we have all but forgotten Thanksgiving. Were it not for grocer's who still want to cash in on the reminiscent holiday, it would probably totally be skipped. But the Thanksgiving holiday is <i>not</i> what I am trying to champion here. While I think it is still an important holiday, I would suggest that it is what is <i>behind</i> the holiday that is really important. Thankfulness. The act of being truly grateful for what we have. I even believe that being thankful could help us with the worry fear, anxiety and other things that we struggle with on an almost daily basis now. Which reminds me of A. J. Cronin and a story he once wrote.<p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A. J. Cronin was born in 1896 in Cardross, Scotland. He was educated at Dumbarton Academy where he received baccalaureates in medicine and surgery. In 1914, he entered the Glasgow University Medical School, graduating in 1919. During World War I Cronin served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy. After the war, he worked as a ship's surgeon on a liner bound for India, and then served in various hospitals. In 1930, his health broke down and he turned to writing as a profession. In 1931 he produced his first novel, "Hatter's Castle," which became an immediate success. He followed it with several best-selling books including "The Citadel," "The Stars Look Down," and "The Keys of the Kingdom." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once Cronin told about a colleague who gave an unusual prescription to patients afflicted with worry, fear, discouragement or self-doubt. The doctor called it his thank-you cure. "For six weeks I want you to say thank you whenever anyone does you a favor. And to show you mean it, emphasize the words with a smile." Within six weeks most of the doctor's patients showed great improvement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are you down to try it? As you consider your answer, here are a few other things to think about.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies." - Charles E. Jefferson</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:7</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18</p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Giving thanks should not be a once a year event. Nor does it necessarily need to be smothered in food and feasting. Rather, it should be practiced daily for all the blessings that we receive. Are you feeling worry, fear, discouragement or self-doubt? Today in prayer, thank Christ and thank others whenever anyone does you a favor. And to show you mean it, emphasize your words with a smile!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="1000" height="201" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPWD5OzEW1Q/X4hnvvwhvoI/AAAAAAAAEBk/VDAXBlg6DaYH9L9D5RBDjd7aE5hFrXWsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h201/gratitude.jpg" width="400" /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-3261431709945301802020-10-01T11:02:00.001-04:002020-10-01T11:02:17.046-04:00Will You Yield? NEVER!!!!<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Storms are a natural part of life. Small storms, like frantic searches for car keys when you are due at an important appointment. Medium storms, like not having enough money to pay rent, or someone slamming into your parked car, putting your patience to the test as you walk through mountains of insurance issues and getting your car fixed or totaled and finding a replacement. Finding a broken pipe, or a rotted floor or some other headache that you hadn't planned on dealing with. Then there are those HUGE storms. Storms that threaten to do us in.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> That phone call that lets you know a loved one has been in a bad car accident, or has passed. That doctor's report that tells you that you have cancer or COVID or some other equally bad piece of news. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">How do you hold on then?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> How do you not only hold on, but </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;">how do you actually grow stronger?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I believe it is in learning to yield your circumstances to God..</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But that is much easier said than done, since yielding requires giving away even the last bit of the control we have. But yielding to your circumstances to God can actually help you grow stronger as you meet the challenges of life. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEp445I7rRg/X3XtjS3nLTI/AAAAAAAAEAs/a3oucOzzqfw4sIUU9iKri8ME5R_NMfAbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Yield.png" /></div><br />Yielding. It means to <i>“give way, to acquiesce.” </i> A more personal definition would be: <i>to surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another </i><b><i>:</i></b><i> hand over possession of </i><b><i>:</i></b><i> to surrender or submit (oneself) to another.</i> <p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But we don’t like to yield (except, perhaps, to our temptations!) It is not in our nature. Everything within us revolts at the sound of yielding. Oh, we do it when we have to…like when we come to a busy street and there is a yield sign. But we don’t do it readily. As a matter of fact, if the truth were to be known, we are approaching that yield sign to see if we have enough room to squeeze out in front of that car that is coming. If we have just enough room, we will usually gun it to pull out in front and let them step on the brakes rather than yielding. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In fact, as I have studied human nature,<i> we don’t even value the idea of yielding</i>, because we think it makes us look weak. We, like Robin Hood, when presented with the question “Will you yield?” quickly respond...at least in our hearts, "NEVER!" We would rather fight and go into the water before we would allow someone else to get the better of us.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So when someone says you can grow stronger through yielding, it almost sounds impossible. But it is true. Part of growing stronger as you go through the storms of life is realizing that God can use whatever circumstances you find yourself in if you will just rest in His care and yield to His will for you. And if you’ve learned to trust Him in the good times, it is much easier not to panic in the storm. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I had a mentor once, an older retired minister, named Sam. He still worked part time at the church I was at for a small stipend, but he loved people and he loved God and wanted to continue to spend his time bringing the two together. Sam was married to Dorothy. And Sam and Dorothy had weathered many storms in life. Family problems, many deaths of those close to them, financial pressures and at times, their own health challenges. </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One day Dorothy began to experience some abdominal pain. She chalked it up to something she ate and figured it would pass. But instead of going away, the pain got progressively worse, so she scheduled an appointment with her doctor.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A few tests, and the diagnosis did not take long. She was already in stage 4 of pancreatic cancer. I watched as Sam took care of her over the next few months, spending less time at the church and more by her side. It wasn’t long before Dorothy died, her abdomen having swollen to the size of a basketball from the cancer inside her.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I will never forget that funeral and especially the graveside service. Sam was there, and though he shed his tears over the one he had spent so much of life with, he wasn’t angry, he wasn’t questioning God and he wasn’t particularly trying to keep a stiff upper lip to put on a good show.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I walked up as he watched them shovel the dirt onto her casket and I put my arm around his shoulder. He looked over at me and said, “I praise the Lord that He gave me such a good woman to go through life with. She was my sweetheart. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. I trust Him to do what’s best. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">That spoke volumes to me of a trust in God that can develop in a person who chooses to yield to the will of God for their life.</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What about you? Have you learned to yield your impossible circumstances to God? Your suffering can make you bitter or better? Closer to God or farther away. It depends on what you choose to do. Yield or retain control…But I think if we can learn to yield, we will find that our lives will be more in control and make more sense and we can have a peace about us that does not flee in the presence of bad circumstances. And no matter what, we can say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” </p>
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<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The question I (and you as well) have to answer as I meet each of life’s challenges: Will you yield this circumstance to God?</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEXu26RaS7w/X3XupcWUIqI/AAAAAAAAEA4/OlAYHnOkEi4gwVO3GnV4Hue5ibiXvJpSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Trust%2Bin%2Bthe%2BLord.jpg" width="400" /></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-28017425286718243642020-09-19T10:39:00.001-04:002020-09-19T10:39:50.526-04:00Who Filters YOUR Air?So I changed my a/c filter the other day and it was filthy. I couldn't believe all of that stuff would have gone through my a/c unit if not for the filter. And then I began to think of all of the filters on all of the A/C units in the Western part of the US in recent weeks, working hard to filter out all of the smoke from the forest fires, leaving people able to breathe much better than if they were out and about with nothing to filter the air in their environments. It was then I came to a brilliant conclusion on the matter: Filters are good things. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOHCuy4nIfQ/X2YTgGo4oLI/AAAAAAAAD-w/gF3dV6P_Xn0PalbEmYv_zq4dwAWiQFkdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/64EE64C5-FDF7-4980-92DD-DA2C3696FA21_1_201_a.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOHCuy4nIfQ/X2YTgGo4oLI/AAAAAAAAD-w/gF3dV6P_Xn0PalbEmYv_zq4dwAWiQFkdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/64EE64C5-FDF7-4980-92DD-DA2C3696FA21_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It's true in the spiritual realm too. By spending time in God's Word, you allow God to put filters in your mind that will help you screen out a lot of the noise and the peace-wrecking static. God-filters can give you perspective that filters out the minutia that destroys the bigger picture that lets us know that God is in control even if things appear bad. When we run the noise of the world through God-filters, a lot of the junk just won't go through, which leaves us breathing healthy, purified and peaceful spiritual air. You don't have to be subject to every wind of fear that blows through. You can live a life of peace by breathing the air from God's life-giving filter.<br /><br />But the devil has filters too. He will filter out the good and cause you to believe the worst of others. He will create suspicions and angst and cause you to be short of temper and long on criticism. He will only let you see what causes you to despair. His filter system will lead to panic attacks, heavy heartedness and a loss of focus as he gets you to hone in on hearing all of the wrong voices. Worse yet, the devil specifically filters out the calming, peace-giving voice of God leaving you with spiritual air that is as toxic as smoke over the Western US during forest fires. You can't live on it long without succumbing and going down.<br /><br />In this age of where the news blows in rancid, toxic air on an hourly basis, and where people have breathed hate-filled, or despair-filled or conspiracy-filled air for so long that they have become increasingly polarized on issues and many are now ardently defending things that they once said they detested and abhorred. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wh-0PCeIHs4/X2YXiGUI-qI/AAAAAAAAD_8/cFR38SsZcfYxIcaqSN9U8EZh6bZqphfewCLcBGAsYHQ/s840/Fire%2Band%2Bsmoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="840" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wh-0PCeIHs4/X2YXiGUI-qI/AAAAAAAAD_8/cFR38SsZcfYxIcaqSN9U8EZh6bZqphfewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fire%2Band%2Bsmoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />See, without a God-filtered perspective, the devil can twist our minds and bend them to accept logically-based conclusions that only make sense if there is no God. And it doesn't matter whether you say you believe in God or not, as long as the devil can filter your spiritual air, he can lead you to a functional atheism that concludes, "well, if that's the case, then..." without ever questioning whether that indeed IS the case.<br /><br />What if Daniel had only accepted the devil's filtered air when told he could only pray to the king? "Well if that's the case, it's only for 30 days." (And some of us have gone longer than that without going back to God to breathe His air.)<br /><br />What if Joseph had said, "Well she IS my owner's wife, therefore, also my owner...so I guess I have to do what she says."?<br /><br />What if Moses had said, "Well, that's it folks...it was a good 3 days while we had it...but looks like we are trapped between the sea and the mountains now."?<br /><br />Each of these was able to keep their perspective, because they filtered their circumstances through a better, bigger filter! The filter of God's life-giving, life-saving, peace-filled, redemption-based reality.<br /><br />Question: Who filters what is currently going through your mind? Not sure? Look at the air on the other side? Is it peaceful, focused and calming or are you given more to fear, anxiety, and suspicion? If you aren't getting the results you desire, change filters.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br />Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-14144164483105225042020-07-20T16:09:00.001-04:002020-07-20T16:12:46.117-04:00Of Facebook Cannons and Twitter Bombs<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The issues are the same: We get wronged and we want to tell everyone about how wronged we were and how unfairly we were treated. But the weapons have evolved through time. From face to face to telephones and now social media. Facebook cannons and Twitter bombs. If you wrong me, (or I so much as perceive that you oppose something I might hold dear, thus creating, at least in my mind, the offense) I will BLOW you off the face of the social media map by turning the tide of popular opinion against you <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y18xwuZDalo/XxX5SiNmhYI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/TI3g-bmPDowYnPFqiSoEbu5hO-apmMaoACLcBGAsYHQ/s575/gl-_O0I0075%2Bcannon%2Bfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y18xwuZDalo/XxX5SiNmhYI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/TI3g-bmPDowYnPFqiSoEbu5hO-apmMaoACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/gl-_O0I0075%2Bcannon%2Bfire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>and then, not only allowing, but encouraging others who agree with me to also get their shots in, until you are totally pummeled into submission. And even after you wave the white flag of surrender, I will come back and drop another bomb just for good measure before I finally turn and fly off. But allow me to digress.</div><div><br /></div>It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Take, for instance, what happens when someone truly wrongs us...or even if we just <i>perceive</i> that we have been wronged. What happens? We immediately want to let people know that we were wronged and we try to gain more people to agree with us about how badly we were treated.<div><br /></div><div>Back in the day before technology, when people were wronged, they told their family members, or their friends or maybe even a judge. Some even took justice into their own hands and developed "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" mentality. They wanted to make sure that they exacted their "pound of flesh!" There are many examples throughout the Bible of people seeking to "get even" or make someone else pay or at least to come out of a scrap without losing anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Think Joseph's brothers after being told another wild dream. Think Jezebel after her prophets were done away with. Think of the two mothers in Solomon's court arguing about a baby. Think the priest who lost a concubine to rape and cutting her up and sending a piece of her to each tribe to show what the men of the tribe of Benjamin had done. They all wanted to let people know how much someone had wronged them. There is nothing new, as King Solomon said, under the sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>You've done it. I've done it. It's only natural that I want YOU to know how much I hurt and have been WRONGED. And let's be clear. There are legitimate hurts that need to be addressed. There ARE wrongs that need to be righted. But there are also right ways and wrong ways, if you are a Christian, of going about it. Likewise, even if you aren't a Christian, there are more productive as well as less productive ways of going about things.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which takes us next level. There are two main motivations to make changes. Force and choosing to change out of Love. In our society, and in fact, in most societies throughout history, there has been an element of force or coercion underlying almost all social structures. Each may have some valid points, but each also has its drawbacks. From Empires in the old world to clan clashes and religious clashes in more recent times, almost all rely on a "might makes right" mentality. Or another way of looking at it is "majority rules". Marxism, Socialism, Communism, Naziism and even democracy all hold this in common. They all utilize the idea that if we can just get enough people to join us for the change that we believe needs to happen then we can make them do it. And most of it comes from the fact that we see the same problem, but all put forth different solutions as to how it should be addressed. (Which is why the election cycle becomes extremely tedious as each side seeks to rally more votes so they can be in power and make people do things their way.)</div><div><br /></div><div>All of these social structures hold this in common. The only difference is the distribution of wealth and power. That's what the whole French Revolution was all about. Seeking to throw off tyranny and establish new control over the distribution of wealth and power. But if you read history, those who originally killed the aristocracy on the guillotine would themselves end up perishing the same way only a few days, or if lucky, a few months later as popular opinion swung wildly back and forth for a time.</div><div><br /></div><div>So man operates off of the basic premise: If I have more power than you, then I can force you to do what I want you to do or I will simply eliminate you one way or the other.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Jesus came and demonstrated a different way. His "come, follow Me" was never followed by the words "or else". His was a way of loving reason. Of thinking about the other before Himself. When the leaders of the synagogue and the people of Nazareth tried to throw Him off a cliff, He hid and then moved on to the next town. And once there, He wasn't talking about how His own townspeople and neighbors had tried to kill Him. He was talking about the Kingdom. He was telling them that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to redeem it, not to judge it...but that the world might be saved through Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then He taught, in <font face="inherit"><span style="color: #006699; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Matt. 18:15</b></span><span style="color: #46260d; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;">“If another believer</span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>a</sup></span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;"> sins against you,</span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>b</sup></span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;"> go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.</span><span style="color: #46260d; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #006699; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>16</sup></b></span><span style="color: #46260d; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;">But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.</span><span style="color: #46260d; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #006699; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><sup>17</sup></b></span><span style="color: #46260d; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;">If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.</span></font></div><div><font face="inherit"><span style="color: #dd0806; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="inherit">And how did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors? </font>With<font face="inherit"> love. Ask Matthew. Ask Zaccheaus. What about pagans? What about the Centurion with a sick servant? Or the Samaritan woman at the well. These were who the Jews considered </font>pagan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Somehow, I don't think Jesus would ever say, "If another brother or sister sins against you, leverage your social media capitol and light up your Facebook cannon and drop your Twitter bombs." See, once you bring out the big guns, your disagreement is guaranteed to only escalate until one side or the other realizes what is going on and backs down, or one side or the other sways enough popular opinion to bombard their adversary into complete and total surrender. But surrender doesn't mean that minds have been changed and hearts have been won. </div><div><br /></div><div>To leverage your social media against another without so much as a face to face or at least a private phone or even private email conversation may win you the skirmish, but it will never win you the war. You may leverage enough social capitol to load the cannon and deliver and you might even force someone's hand on an issue. You may even force things that are right and good to happen. But even if you get the right results utilizing the the wrong methodology will never truly serve you for the long term. In the end, you always stand to lose more than you gain. It may be a loss of relationship, or a loss of trust, respect or credibilty and reputation. It could even be the loss of your salvation. But you will always lose something, even if you happen to win in the short term. To paraphrase Jesus...he who lives by the cannon, dies by the cannon. Or whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without a doubt, change is needed in many areas. And undoubtedly, there are issues that we must address and face if we are to be faithful followers of Jesus in the public arena. But HOW we address them is just as important as addressing them. But note that Jesus never asked us to be successful in creating change. He only asked us to be faithful in our presentation of Him and His love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it is time to put away the Facebook Cannons and Twitter Bombs and instead of trying to force others to change their beliefs or their actions in order to get more results, perhaps it's time we live like Jesus and lead with Love. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1mC5aO5Ggs/XxX4s5JaUuI/AAAAAAAAD9E/x9SruPUzoFoPyOldPhFMzaECCnBtHeuqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/Jesus-and-the-Adulterous-Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1mC5aO5Ggs/XxX4s5JaUuI/AAAAAAAAD9E/x9SruPUzoFoPyOldPhFMzaECCnBtHeuqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h333/Jesus-and-the-Adulterous-Woman.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-79343490287283202022020-07-16T14:23:00.005-04:002020-07-16T14:32:53.900-04:00The Hard ChoiceI don’t care who you are—suffering will touch you. There is really no such thing as a charmed life. The wealthiest all the way down to the poorest. We all suffer. You might be saying, “Oh, I’d like to suffer the way they have to suffer. At least I’d have a Beemer.” “Or at least I’d suffer in a million dollar house.”<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mC87qlLc-pU/XxCYvm35yUI/AAAAAAAAD8E/wHupnR0J8XQMFiW44QiLhY4k4wPrf5BtwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/nn_ggu_dallas_tornado_destruction_191021_1571699169256.focal-760x428.jpg" width="400" /></a>If that’s your type of thinking then you haven’t really been paying attention. If watching hurricanes and tornadoes sweep across the land has taught us anything, it would have to be that the million dollar houses can be ruined and swept away as quickly as the shanties.<br /><br />Recognize that while you may be thinking of a better way to suffer, there are millions of people who are suffering much worse. Did you know that there are children being born in Africa today, to parents with AIDS. Those children themselves, are born with AIDS, and they will live their entire life and then die an early death and not know one day without suffering.<br /><br />Think about that. If you have had at least one day in your life free of worry or pain, you’ve got more than they will have in their entire lifetime. But recognize that it is not the suffering, itself, that brings you closer to Jesus.<br /><br />It is what you choose to do with your suffering. It is how you choose to handle the crisis, the trauma, the <br />sickness, or the bad news. You can choose to run to Jesus and allow Him to comfort and strengthen you in (and perhaps even deliver you from) your suffering, or you can choose to run away from him and blame Him for your suffering.<br /><br />One choice will bring you closer to Jesus and give you strength to bear up and persevere through whatever it is you are having to face. The other will cause you to grow bitter and miserable, to the point that others will soon go out of their way to avoid you.<br /><br />Choose wisely..but choose. Don't let your life go into default.<div><p style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin: 6px 0px 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></div><div><p style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin: 6px 0px 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36Lluou25lI/XxCa16pzBJI/AAAAAAAAD8g/4Es84wFFT2gfwfV5AyPiX4VBRyyZ8GykgCLcBGAsYHQ/s494/Jesus%2Bholds%2Bme%2Bup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="340" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36Lluou25lI/XxCa16pzBJI/AAAAAAAAD8g/4Es84wFFT2gfwfV5AyPiX4VBRyyZ8GykgCLcBGAsYHQ/w344-h500/Jesus%2Bholds%2Bme%2Bup.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font><p></p></div><div><p style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin: 6px 0px 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></div></div>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-11166263159820345172020-06-25T12:30:00.013-04:002020-06-27T09:41:38.005-04:00Read this Blog or I'll Shoot This Dog<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><font size="5">The Perils of Either/Or Thinking</font><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><font size="5"><br /></font></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhJyMn6BnjE/XvToIT_9LzI/AAAAAAAAD6s/FTNOUc8npSYv094LpxpoSQpeNjcftL2cQCK4BGAsYHg/s1566/Shoot%2Bthis%2BDog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1566" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhJyMn6BnjE/XvToIT_9LzI/AAAAAAAAD6s/FTNOUc8npSYv094LpxpoSQpeNjcftL2cQCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h225/Shoot%2Bthis%2BDog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In January of my Freshman year of high school, there was a magazine (not a particularly good one) called the National Lampoon that featured on its cover, the picture above, with the title, <b><i>If You Don’t Buy This Magazine, We’ll Kill This Dog! </i></b>Of course, it was a promotional stunt, but it was so in your face shocking that it soon became a hot discussion topic among my peers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Some thought it was hilarious while others, especially the animal lovers among us, found it to be very offensive and in poor taste. There seemed to be very little middle ground on the topic. Either you loved it or you hated it. There were a few that simply shrugged and said they didn’t really care one way or the other, but then, they were that way on about every topic we discussed. No matter how one felt, though, they were allowed to have their own perspective and we went on being friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">It occurred to me the other day that in our society, and yes, even within the walls of our church, we have adopted an either/or posture on almost every topic. Either you are for me…and if not, you are definitely against me. Either you buy everything I tell you, or you totally reject it. Either you totally agree with me, or I will have no use for you. And the stakes for disagreeing are grow exponentially higher, often causing anger, suspicion, distrust and sometimes even ending friendships.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The more things change, the more things stay the same. Did you know that was exactly why there were two different ruling parties that made up the Sanhedrin in Jesus day? They were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They couldn’t agree on anything. The Pharisees believed in the Resurrection. The Sadducees didn’t. (Perhaps that’s why they were so sad…). The Pharisees believed that if you did enough good works, you could bank some of it to help you get into heaven. The Sadducees believed that since there was no resurrection, this life was all they had, so they had to live it up and get as much as they could while they were still alive. And they believed that the more possessions one had, the more proof that God was with them and blessing them…which was one thing that the Pharisees began to adopt as well as they cushioned their own homes and pockets a little more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">But when it came to Jesus…they both suddenly agreed! HE was dangerous. He was usurping their authority and their important role in society. As such, He<i> had to go!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">So, they began to use either/or thinking with Jesus. Buy this magazine or we’ll shoot this dog! Over and over, they tried to trap Jesus into committing to one or the other, in order to trap Him. Need some examples?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John 8:4</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">5</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John 8:6</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">They knew that if he said “Stone her” they could simply turn Him over to the Romans for preempting their authority to decide between life and death, and the Romans would dispose of Him. Problem solved. But if Jesus said, “Let her go” the people would be livid that He was ignoring Moses law and turn on Him. Again, problem solved. Either/or would carry the day. But not so fast. Jesus has never been about either/or thinking. It’s too narrow and dismisses any room for grace. Let’s go back to John 8:7<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">7</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">8</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John 8:9</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">10</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John 8:11</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">With a simple statement, Jesus dismissed, not only a crowd full of sinners, but their “either/or” thinking as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Here’s another: <b>Mark 12:13</b> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">14</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">15</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” (There it is…either/or)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin,</span><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 9pt;">a</span></sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> and I’ll tell you.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">16</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> When they handed it to him, he asked, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> “Caesar’s,” they replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Mark 12:17</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Well, then,”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Jesus said, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> His reply completely amazed them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Why? Why did it amaze them? Because it didn’t fall into their either/or thinking. There are many other examples in scripture, but they all make the same point. You don’t have to buy the magazine OR shoot the dog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">You don’t have to share a certain post with 10 friends or lose the blessing of Jesus. You don’t have to subscribe to mask or no mask. You can support black lives while continuing to support law enforcement. It doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. But the more important point to consider as you seek to lead others to Jesus is, how well are you representing the character of Jesus and His love through your words and actions? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Even if you don’t believe in wearing masks and you think it is all a croc, when you go to church and they ask you to be considerate, do you yield for the sake of loving the weaker (perhaps immuno-depressed) brother or sister and put one on, joyful to serve others humbly in such a simple (though perhaps irritating) way? Or do you proudly, defiantly look for ways to register your disdain and use your position in the church to lobby for changing “these stupid requirements”?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">When you hear Black Lives Matter, do you humbly seek to hear the plight, concerns and fears of your black brother or sister, happy to serve through listening and learning in humility, or do you immediately jump to All Lives Matter as you seek to argue the point of which matters more?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="">Did you know that I can readily accept and champion Black lives mattering, seeking to uphold and support my black friends and promoting the need for police reform, without agreeing on every point that the Black Lives Matter platform puts forth. I can likewise support those police officers who are out there on the front lines every day doing their absolute best to do a good job to protect and serve. I don’t have to allow myself to be polarized so much that I lose the ability to reason. I can actually, if I think about it…support both. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">And someone’s need to have me agree with them on their polarized end of the spectrum is just that--<i>their </i>need. And when I don’t conform to their demands, many have pushed me to the opposite end of the spectrum in their mind, without actually considering my reasons, or the fact that I don’t happen to agree with the opposite end of their spectrum either. But we are caught in a society that pushes, very strongly, either you are with me or you are against me! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">I love my wife, but I don’t have to agree with every last idea or thought she has in order to continue loving her. We are going to have differences. HOW we work through our differences really determines whether I truly love her or not. And the same is true in the church. How we love others will show whether we truly love Christ or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">I may believe that wearing a mask is stupid, suffocating and non-essential, but still choose to wear it out of love. Because I understand that wearing it tells my fellow worshippers that I am more concerned about their health, and their belief that masks help contain the spread of a virus, than I am about my personal rights. I can choose to wear it joyfully, because I want my church to be perceived as a safe place to be for my brothers and sisters, as well as a safe place to bring their friends. Both physically and spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Jesus said it this way: <b>John 13:35</b> Your <b>love </b>for one another will prove to the world that you are my <b>disciples</b>.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Don’t buy the magazine…and please don’t shoot the dog. It doesn’t make you a bad person. But DO show love and respect for others as a way of proving to the world that you are a disciple of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-29748760890197590022020-06-03T18:48:00.001-04:002020-07-16T14:35:04.885-04:00Step Away Before You Re-engage<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Hey Christian Leader…are you tired? Mentally exhausted? Physically drained? Emotionally spent? Me too. What we have been going through the past months (and especially the last 2 weeks) is enough to drain the life out of the best of us. Unless you are a person who thrives on quarantine and conflict…or conflict in quarantine…or some other combination of the same, if you are like me (and because you are human…I know that in at least some ways you are) you can only take so much of the fevered pitch before you have to step away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s ok. You can’t sustain the emotional knife edge for very long anyway. So, let me invite you, first, to step away. Perhaps for only a few hours, or just an afternoon. Maybe a day or weekend. Step away and unplug. Disconnect from the news. It will be there when you get back-and it will still be mostly bad. Take leave of your social media platforms for a while. The discussions will be still be there, and just as heated, when you get back. For your own mental health’s sake, back away, unplug, disconnect and take some time reconnecting to the Source of peace and mental health.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I look around at the events in today’s world, I see the social injustice and racism, the riots and demonstrations, the verbal volleys on social media, the political posturing and the name calling. My emotions run higher as I come to understand the intolerable things that people of color continue to have to bear and the senseless killings of innocent people. It IS an outrage. And it NEEDS to stop. MUST stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alongside that, protests that start peacefully enough suddenly turn violent, and more lives are lost, buildings are burned and looted and justifications are put forth as to why it should be that way. And dialogs that could be productive, cease. And defensiveness escalates with emotions that are already running high and understanding ceases. Battle lines are drawn and enemies are declared.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But stop. Step back and consider. PEOPLE aren’t our enemies. They are simply victims of our one great enemy, the devil. He has sold us all different versions of the same lie… “YOU can be like God.” In essence…YOU. CAN. BE. GOD! (really only for you, but that’s in the fine print). But we take that to mean that WE are the ultimate cause in the Universe. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But we, who belong to the King of Kings, must look at thing a bit differently. We must recognize first, that He is God…and not we ourselves. And as God, He does call His followers to right the wrongs and lift the lowly and champion the cause of those who are oppressed. But we must do it in HIS way in order for lasting change to take place. All other methods simply breed resentment and when the time is right, resentment spews forth hatred, which ends up bringing death.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is why it is so important to stop, step back and unplug for a bit before we re-engage. In fact, before any of us go running off to right wrongs, we must be under HIS control and not our own. How do we do that? Isaiah 1 gives us a clue. Isaiah is addressing the church and the inherent problems that come with a group of people who are only partially committed to the Lord. Here is a sampling of the things that God was saying in a vision to Isaiah.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Is. 1:2</b> Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is what the LORD says:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The children I raised and cared for<o:p></o:p></div>
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have rebelled against me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><sup>3</sup></b> Even an ox knows its owner,<o:p></o:p></div>
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and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—<o:p></o:p></div>
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but Israel doesn’t know its master.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My people don’t recognize my care for them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><sup>4</sup></b> Oh, what a sinful nation they are—<o:p></o:p></div>
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loaded down with a burden of guilt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They are evil people,<o:p></o:p></div>
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corrupt children who have rejected the LORD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They have despised the Holy One of Israel<o:p></o:p></div>
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and turned their backs on him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He goes on to list some of the problems the country was currently having. The country was in ruins. Towns are burned. Foreigners are plundering and destroying. Sound familiar? And how did God’s people respond. By doing more of the same thing they were doing that caused their destruction in the first place. Gave more offerings. Said more prayers. Offered more sacrifices and hoped for the best…with no internal change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And God said.<b><sup> 11</sup></b> “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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says the LORD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams<o:p></o:p></div>
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and the fat of fattened cattle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><sup>13</sup></b> Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;<o:p></o:p></div>
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the incense of your offerings disgusts me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath<o:p></o:p></div>
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and your special days for fasting—<o:p></o:p></div>
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they are all sinful and false.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want no more of your pious meetings<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><sup>15</sup></b> When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,<o:p></o:p></div>
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for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then God comes to what He is really interested in.</div>
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<b><sup>16</sup></b> Wash yourselves and be clean!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get your sins out of my sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Give up your evil ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><sup>17</sup></b> Learn to do good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seek justice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Help the oppressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Defend the cause of orphans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fight for the rights of widows.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Is. 1:18</b> “Come now, let’s settle this,”<o:p></o:p></div>
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says the LORD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Though your sins are like scarlet,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will make them as white as snow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though they are red like crimson,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will make them as white as wool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Did you catch that? And some are saying…. “Yes! Let’s go fight and help the oppressed! Let’s defend the cause and rights of orphans and widows”. But not yet. Stay unplugged for just a little longer. Because in verse 18 God says: Let’s settle this. NLT. Other versions say “Come let us reason together.” In other words, before you run off, there is something that needs to happen in <i>your </i>life. You need to let me get rid of <i>your</i> sins and <i>your </i>evil desires. You need to be washed! Your words, your actions, your attitudes all need to be laid down so that you can accomplish things in the way I want them accomplished. Through Love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That means that, no matter your color or ethnicity, as a child of God, after letting Christ deal with <i>your sins</i>, you see His call to take up the cause of the oppressed i<i>n the way that Jesus would have you do it,</i> rather than through use of the world’s might-makes-right-tactics. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What would that look like? It would look like you using whatever gifts and abilities the Lord has placed within you, and utilizing those as you follow the Holy Spirit’s stirrings in your heart to work to alleviate injustice no matter where it is found, in a manner in keeping with how you were created.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It means you put your shoulder to the wheel and utilize your influence for lasting change in a way that the outside, unbelieving, world can respect. It means you refuse to use their catchphrases that would inflame, choosing thoughtfulness and carefully chosen words instead, that can bring calm. It means that you recognize the diversity that God has put into all people and you celebrate, rather than denigrate that. Beyond ethnic differences, expand your view to include gender, generational curses, culture (community, church or school) and even personality types.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wait, what? I was tracking with you until you made that last turn. Ok. Let me break it down. We are all different. VERY different, which, if you haven’t noticed in all the realm of creation and nature, is exactly the way our Father likes things. Which means that <i>I don’t have to respond exactly like you</i> in order to support you, whatever your race, circumstances, etc. might be. I can be free to support the cause of justice in ways that you might not have even considered. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For example, I’ve seen many in recent days write an iteration of this idea. “If you are silent, you are complicit to the problem.” Meaning, basically, if you are not saying something against this, you are guilty of spreading it. I get the ideology behind that statement, especially coming from a non-believer, but what that statement actually does is simply shut off every other avenue of support I may have been able to offer if I happen to be, say, an introvert. If I were an introvert, I wouldn’t want to march and shout things out. I would probably shy away from conflict or controversy, and I wouldn’t want to post on my social media because I don’t want to be noticed. But, if encouraged in a more constructive way, I might donate to a cause or work behind the scenes in silence, or reach out in love to a friend of another race. But if my silence is my complicity, then with one broad brush stroke, I have been de-valued and my potential contribution reduced to nothing. That too, is an intolerant act, against someone whose only crime was to be born with the "wrong" type of personality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So perhaps, instead of those type of statements, often written when emotions are running high and passion is running deep, what if we ran our emotions and passions through the filter of the Holy Spirit and in an attitude like that of the early church facing the injustices to the Greek widows, engaged in dialog to see how we might, together, move as God’s people to address the issue of injustice in practical ways using all of our combined gifts? Dialog in the Spirit and then implement in His power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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James gives us good counsel when it comes to how we might proceed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>James 1:19</b> My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, <b><sup>20</sup></b> for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. <b><sup>21</sup></b> Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Work on yourself first. Then look out for others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>James 1:26</b> If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. <b><sup>27</sup></b> Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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May we allow God to change our hearts and then may that change help us to reach out to right the wrongs, bring justice where it is needed, stand with the oppressed and lift the fallen. And may He accomplish it, not through our anger, but through His love and the power of His Spirit living in each one of us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok…now you can go re-engage...with a regenerated heart and with the love of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-39788568147277940772020-05-04T08:42:00.000-04:002020-05-04T08:43:10.522-04:00A Spiritual Waist<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We often talk of Jesus standing at the door of our hearts and knocking, (see Rev 3) and we know that if we open the door</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8clwg66GgaU/XrANWZNgw0I/AAAAAAAAD3E/vPXlUYoY1yUffJ5ay3Fsfm0QMYXgxtseQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Jesus%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> He will come in and dine with us…but what then? Is that all there is? Sitting and dining for all time? Or does dinner-time conversation lead us to live our lives differently the next day?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’d like to think that Jesus, at dinner, invites us to go out the next day. Almost a play-date if you will. He wants to get us out of ourselves to see what else He has going on. Perhaps to introduce us to other people He has dined with already, or maybe to get us to make friends with those around us who have never shared a meal with Him so that we can encourage them to do so when He next comes knocking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He wants to get us out for exercise, to work out what He has put in during our time together. He wants us to personally experience where else He is at work. To see how else He is countering the enemies’ strategies in ways far more genius than I can imagine. And to quote a very old Nike ad, “You won’t know unless you go.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we always sit around the table, taking in and taking in, all we become are spiritually obese. And the longer we take it in without working it out, the more worthless to the cause of God we become. Not because we don’t want to be out there, but because we enjoy the feast far too much and simply want to stay at the table and continue to gorge ourselves. But to what purpose?</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8clwg66GgaU/XrANWZNgw0I/AAAAAAAAD3E/vPXlUYoY1yUffJ5ay3Fsfm0QMYXgxtseQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Jesus%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8clwg66GgaU/XrANWZNgw0I/AAAAAAAAD3E/vPXlUYoY1yUffJ5ay3Fsfm0QMYXgxtseQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jesus%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I never put into practice all of the spiritual richness I have been able to ingest, it simply goes to my spiritual waist…and that my friends, is truly a spiritual waste. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dining in is where it starts. But going out is His command. Perhaps we need a few less conferences and training events and a few more spiritually exercise-inducing activities. Perhaps we need to keep that date with Jesus each morning and go out excited to see where He is at work today and simply join Him there. To work ALONG SIDEJesus, instead of working FOR Jesus would perhaps be the ultimate spiritual exercise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So please—open the door when He knocks. Dine with Him—daily. But don’t stay at the table. There is a world already alive where God is working. Ask Him to guide you to see what He wants you to see, to be in the spot where HE wants you to be, and then roll up your sleeves and take your place beside Jesus and work there to help rescue a dying world</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">.</span></div>
Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-75558700263995224832020-04-01T13:54:00.001-04:002020-04-01T13:54:12.132-04:00Where Do I Find My Faith?<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the past two weeks, my FaceBook inbox, my email inbox and many comments left on my Facebook feed have all begun to point at one main question.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">“Where is my faith?”</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Or “Where can I find peace.” </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Is it possible?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">And the answer is “Absolutely.”</span><span style="text-align: left;"> I know that many others are talking about it, but for the sake of my friends who are asking, I’d like to take a stab at it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First of all, I think many of us get confused when we hear the word faith. Where is it found and what is it? Well, it’s found in the dictionary, which is where most people would logically start. Oxford defines it this way:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">faith | fāTH |</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">noun</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: rgba(230, 230, 242, 0.6); font-kerning: none;"><b>1 </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">complete trust or confidence in someone or something: <i>this restores one's faith in politicians</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: rgba(230, 230, 242, 0.6); font-kerning: none;"><b>2 </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof: <i>bereaved people who have shown supreme faith</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: rgba(230, 230, 242, 0.6); font-kerning: none;"><b>• </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">a system of religious belief: <i>the Christian faith</i>.</span></span></div>
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<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i></i><span style="font-kerning: none;">a strongly held belief or theory: <i>the faith that life will expand until it fills the universe</i>.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It starts out good by saying, “complete trust or confidence in someone or something”, but then goes downhill when it mentions politicians. Then we see “strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion” but then we see stuff like “based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.” The we see “a system of religious belief, and Strongly held belief or theory.” And none of those are really helpful in restoring my faith. No wonder we are confused. I don’t want a faith that is simply based on my spiritual apprehensions or blind trust or simply chanting the mantra, “I believe, I believe” over and over as if God were Santa Claus and I really want to see him at Christmas. <span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s the problem. While the dictionary can take a great stab at defining it, the type of faith we are talking about is not centered in a system or doctrines or even just strongly believing and hoping. None of those is where true faith lies.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUjg4gMjrac/XoTTc4cDQVI/AAAAAAAADzI/gUm1pnrqHBEdJL-wQizi2dySVs5JoW29gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/seen%2Bmy%2BFaith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUjg4gMjrac/XoTTc4cDQVI/AAAAAAAADzI/gUm1pnrqHBEdJL-wQizi2dySVs5JoW29gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/seen%2Bmy%2BFaith.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">True faith lies in a relationship with a Person. And the funny thing about relationships is that you can never really <i>prove</i> that they exist, you can only give evidence of them existing. For instance, I can say that my wife, Sandy, loves me. But I can’t prove it. I can believe it to be so. I can hope it to be so. But I can only point to the <i>evidence</i> of that love. She treats me nice. She continues to stay with me after almost 40 years. She cooks and cleans for me. She says nice things, etc. But all of those are not proof—only evidence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each of you could point to examples where the above evidences were only in place until that person could gain what they wanted or something of greater importance to them. Let’s look at them one at a time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She treats me nice”...you already know intuitively that people can treat you nice because they want something from you. So that is not necessarily a proof of love. “She continues to stay with me”...maybe she has no where else to go and she is comfortable with the lifestyle. “She cooks and cleans.” Could be she just sees that as a trade-off for a roof over her head and some groceries. “She says nice things”...maybe she doesn’t want to mess up her good gig. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So you can’t point to any of those and say you have conclusive proof. BUT...if I take all of those pieces of evidence and put those together, and combine that with the ongoing nature of such evidences, I can conclude that my wife loves me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nice, Pastor, but I still haven’t found my faith. Ok. Since we are talking about God, why not see how HE defines faith. And since the Bible is His self-revelation to us, let’s see what it says.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Romans 10, Paul points out that the Jewish people were having some of the same struggles that we have when it comes to walking in faith. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Romans 10:1 <i>Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 <b>For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. </b>4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is often where we get stuck. We want to know God. We want to follow Him. We want to have faith in Him, but we don’t understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Why is that? Because many well-meaning people in our past have obscured it with well meaning words and rituals and practices that hinder a true view of Jesus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my faith tradition, especially during my youth, we often confused a relationship with Jesus with following of rules to help us live better lives. Nothing wrong with the rules per se, but it caused me to miss Jesus, the person I need to have faith in, as I focused on being a good member of my church community. And, as I am friends now with clergy from many other denominations, our comparing notes has led me to conclude that most of them have had a similar time in their history where following rules was more important than following Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So does that mean they were bad people? No. I believe they were wanting to follow Jesus, but simply bought into what someone else had told them they needed to do, ultimately leading to a type of legalism in the church. And in their misguided zeal, the true picture of God was marred and many were led to conclude, “well if God is like that then...” The problem with that conclusion is that the premise was never challenged. If God is like that. Perhaps instead, we should have asked, “Is God really like that?” And then gone looking in Scripture for the answer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other things that keep us from understanding God’s ways are expectations that we have learned or deduced or heard that may or may not be true. I had such expectations when my dad got cancer and then consequently died while I was begging God to spare his life. It really made me question if I could remain a minister. I mean, why minister to the goodness of a God that you suddenly didn’t feel was so good? If you are interested in reading that story,<a href="https://donkeelejr.blogspot.com/2010/12/vending-machine-god.html"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i> it’s here on my blog from a few years back.</i></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have realized in the ensuing years that the devil can create a lot of misunderstood passages and misguided expectations that can lead us to the wrong conclusions, and when we don’t get the desired outcome, he can twist our consequent pain into a blaming of God and an anger at Him that is neither accurate nor deserved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I prayed and believed and nothing happened...therefore God doesn’t care and He can no longer be trusted. It spirals downward from there. God could have done something but He didn’t so I <i>hate Him!</i> And on we go, spiraling away from where the only real hope is found.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So what <i>does </i>God look like?And how <i>do I</i> find my faith? The simple answer is God...looks like Jesus. Notice this question and Jesus’ answer in John 14:8,9 <i>Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John 1 calls Jesus “The Word”. Starting in verse 1 of John 1 we read: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 In the beginning the Word already existed.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #46260d; font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Word was with God,</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and t</i><b><i>he Word was God.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>2</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He existed in the beginning with God.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>3</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God created everything through him,</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and nothing was created except through him.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>4</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Word gave life to everything that was created,</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and his life brought light to everyone.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>5</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The light shines in the darkness,</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and the darkness can never extinguish it.</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John is saying that Jesus IS God and Jesus was basically saying to His disciples, if you want to see what God is like, look at Me. Watch Me. Hang out with Me and I will show you a pure undistorted picture of what God is like and what we want for you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">So, how did Jesus treat people? </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i>Matt. 14:14</i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> </i><b><i>Jesus </i></b><i>saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he </i><b><i>had compassion </i></b><i>on them and healed their sick. </i> Over an over we see that Jesus led with compassion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How did He deal with those that made mistakes? Read the story in John 8:1-11 of the woman caught in the very act of adultery and then read the ending. You will see Jesus response. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZzld4aVq5c/XoTTQsDvcuI/AAAAAAAADzE/VLcjZVywxdk8B933dSLJ4NU97RNSK_l9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/john-8%2Badultery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="736" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZzld4aVq5c/XoTTQsDvcuI/AAAAAAAADzE/VLcjZVywxdk8B933dSLJ4NU97RNSK_l9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/john-8%2Badultery.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">John 8: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #0d6699; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>7</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>8</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>v.9</i></b><i> When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>10</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? </i><b><i>Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>v.11</i></b><i> “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, </i><b><i>“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course most people have heard the greatest statement about what God is like in John 3:16…but don’t often read what John 3:17 says. And John 3:17 was the continuation of Jesus’ thought when he was talking to Nicodemus. Check this out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>John 3:16</i></b><i> “For this is how God loved the world: He gave</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>a</sup></i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yep…that’s the part I’ve heard. But let Jesus continue that thought.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>17</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the biggest lies that Satan has perpetrated through the centuries is that God hates you and is just sitting up there trying to catch you doing something wrong. But Jesus didn’t come to judge the world…but to save it. That means that God wants you to be saved more than you can ever even have the desire to be saved. He won’t be throwing obstacles in your path. The devil does that. Jesus calmly, relentlessly pursues us as we continue to look at the distorted picture of Him that Satan has been pushing ever since the Garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All that is required of us is to see a picture of Jesus/God who loves us, wants to save and redeem us and who continues to pursue our hearts in love, and then simply stop and respond in returned love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s the capstone verse, in my opinion: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>1John 5:11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i><sup>12</sup></i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So the questions on the road to faith that we each have to answer are these: Do I have the Son of God in my life? Have I accepted His forgiveness and am I willing to take the next step of faith that He lays out for me?</span></span></div>
Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1321675859956566004.post-44750270408323006422020-03-24T14:50:00.000-04:002020-05-14T13:22:00.785-04:00Exhausted, Overwhelmed and Anxious? 5 Tips to Living at PeaceAs the days of isolation roll on during this time of Covid-19, I find that working from home has both a relaxing and yet, draining effect. I have actively been seeking ways to be supportive of youth pastors and local youth and young adult leaders and trying to give ideas on how ministry can be done during this crisis to lots of pastors, and just realized this morning...I'm exhausted.<br />
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And as I listen to people going through all that we are going through right now from all different perspectives, with all sorts of circumstances, many way worse than mine, I can hear exhaustion in their voice and on the Zoom calls I've been on, I can see anxiety on many faces. And day after day of that type of drain can quickly lead someone to feeling overwhelmed...especially in light of the 24 hour news cycle which keeps it ever before our eyes. So how do we deal? How do we take care of ourselves so that we can continue to be useful to others?<br />
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I think first, we have to return to our faith. I know some of you may have been away from your faith for awhile and may even have a running anger fest at God, but maybe now is the time to let that go. <br />
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Recognize that faith is not faith without the possibility of doubt. To have faith in anything is not to remove all doubts, but to believe that there is enough evidence to believe in and then grow it from there. For with faith, come a host of promises from God that will help you through the crisis at hand.<br />
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First, understand that Jesus never said that this life would be pain free and a smooth ride for the believer. In fact, he said just the opposite. In John 16:33 Jesus was speaking and he told His disciples this: <b> I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world <i>you will have trouble.</i> (emphasis mine) But take heart! I have over come the world."</b><br />
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Even before He tells us about the trouble, He informs us that in Him we can have peace. Suddenly, with the eyes of faith, I can gain a different perspective on the grim outlook. I can let go of some of the anxiety and I can surrender the feelings of being overwhelmed by recognizing that the arrival of the Coronavirus and Covid-19, did not shock God off the throne. It didn't take Him by surprise.<br />
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Did He cause it? No. I believe it was caused by living in a sinful world and the fact that the devil is looking to find anyway he can to sweep millions into an early grave. Can God use it for His ultimate good? I believe He already is!<br />
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In my own life, it is amazing how much more focused I've gotten on the things in life that really matter. My family. The people I serve. Relationships. And those things that I've been leaning on to keep me propped up, distracted and unfocused suddenly aren't that important anymore. It's surprising how my priorities are coming back into focus! And my realization of how much I (we) truly need God. So I would say a return to faith in God and a settling into His promises can help alleviate the exhaustion, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Here's a few more promises before we move on.<br />
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Psa. 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD,<br />
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and he will take care of you.<br />
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. NLT<br />
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Or how about this one.<br />
1Pet. 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. NLT</div>
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The NIV even renders 1Peter 5:7 as: Cast all your a<i>nxiety</i> on Him because He cares for you.<br />
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Secondly, I would say, take this time to catch up on your sleep. I didn't realize how sleep-deprived I was until I started staying home and suddenly began getting more hours of sleep per night. Just getting good sleep can help you begin to relax a little more. As we adjust to this "new normal" it is easy to begin staying up later, binge watching TV and missing sleep.<br />
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Thirdly, establish a new routine so that you aren't just totally burning the hours on Facebook or Instagram or the news channels. Don't stay in your PJ's all day. Getting up and getting ready for the day can actually help you feel more productive and contribute to an overall feeling of well-being. Choose one or two things that you want to try to accomplish by days end. Organizing a room. Cleaning out a closet. Catching up on your around the house to-do list. Anything that will call on your concentration on something besides the Coronavirus will help you begin to help you regain mental health ground. And if you feel productive, you are less likely to slide into a depression.<br />
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Fourthly, Unplug for a given amount of time each day. You don't <i>have to be</i> glued to the news cycle 24-7. As a matter of fact, I can tell you that about 95% of it will be bad. And right now...it will be ...are you ready for this...very bad. More deaths. New outbreaks. More shortages. More political posturing. More anger. More frustration. More anxiety over what else the "experts" are predicting is to come. And the fact is, all it does is keep invoking your "fight or flight" mechanism and dumps large quantities of adrenalin into your system and simply causes your fear factor to rise. <br />
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Unplug from social media as well. Constantly checking your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or whatever feeds, will only show more of the same you have on the news. I'm not saying to <i>never</i> check them, but I am saying take some hours each day and unplug from it all to allow your anxiety and adrenaline levels to fall. Keeping them on a knife edge all the time will only lead to exhaustion and the lowering of your body's immune system.<br />
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Here's a few questions to consider: Are you already doing what you can do to keep you and your family safe? Will knowing the absolute latest as soon as it hits keep you any safer? If you are already doing everything you know, then go ahead and unplug and do something productive and let your energies be channeled towards that. Let your focus be absorbed by that and you will find your anxiety levels beginning to drop.<br />
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And last...seek to get in some form of exercise every day. If you have a nearby park and can still get outdoors, try to get a walk in-of course, keeping social distancing rules in play, if not, maybe use the old treadmill and exercise equipment you've had rotting in a room for a while. But move your body some every day. This will boost your immune system, and help get rid of the excess adrenaline your body has been pumping out, and leave you more relaxed and able to sleep better.<br />
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Let me leave you with this: Quite a few years back, I watched a Mark Lowry video as he shared his "favorite verse." He then quoted. "And it came to pass..." He stopped and smiled...then continued. "Do you get it? It didn't come to stay! It came to pass." So with a nod to Mark, here is my take on his "favorite verse".<br />
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Whatever you are facing today--just know that it will pass. Corona Virus...As hard as it is to believe...It will pass! On the flip side...are you having a great day? Enjoy it! It will pass. Facing tough stuff? Endure it. It will pass. It came...to pass.<br />
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God never leaves us stuck. Time moves on and it will pass. Focus on that and these little tips and you can come into a "new normal" soon. And </div>
Don Keele Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10579555238004898143noreply@blogger.com0