tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91354090573213012522024-03-22T11:43:49.175-07:00Rhema Life Ministry"Gather my saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." Psalms 50:5Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07011052114024024719noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135409057321301252.post-14197850039760663802018-04-11T05:52:00.001-07:002018-08-24T02:50:48.540-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">THE GUILT TRIP</span></b></div>
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We all know that from the time we are born again, and begin
our spiritual walk with the Lord, there is someone else following us as well.
It is the devil – the deceiver, the father of lies, the prince of the power of
the air, the god of this world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is the devil’s self appointed task to break down and
eliminate every true born seed of Christ, and he has many tricks up his sleeve
to accomplish this.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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One among them is <b><span style="color: cyan;">The Guilt Trip</span></b> or the<b> <span style="color: cyan;">Rollercoaster Ride
of Unworthiness.</span></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqj0vs6pPdhxcGmH7surA2y6MzN3pfUrPkGkHyase6NjukLjjuomsu2nUgb3cM11l9BLLNsSM-2J4-xsBS8uhLCrevpha2HcrxbmloF82Tlv7NIyKtBl4qWxMntAZTzlytus3UXec2v4g/s1600/download+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqj0vs6pPdhxcGmH7surA2y6MzN3pfUrPkGkHyase6NjukLjjuomsu2nUgb3cM11l9BLLNsSM-2J4-xsBS8uhLCrevpha2HcrxbmloF82Tlv7NIyKtBl4qWxMntAZTzlytus3UXec2v4g/s400/download+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of
life</b> are the three weapons he uses at will. We as Christians, can still fall
prey to these if we are not careful. It requires only a <b>little </b>gap in our
lives, <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">a little slumber, a little sleep, a little folding of the hands to
sleep</span></i></b>, to let Satan inside the hedge of the Lord’s protection.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Money, pleasures, the headiness of independence will all
take you away from the Lord if you let them become a part of you. And they do,
unknowingly, unconsciously prey upon the human soul, like a parasitic disease.
You don’t actually acknowledge it until it has permeated your system all
<b>through </b>and made you ill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQCHg-QH6_sxdlnNKCGaz4iXWYTSvbj51kfbmt3NYsLINUOFs4_MynrA_oVVbUO7yju0g4Ip8t8_VvBPwlLWXyFCd6xpQVwdcGhkksBtS2T0kdcGu3iXxcQbzHa4W8eNVAy9ruCdlAYR4/s1600/102017130_univ_lsr_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQCHg-QH6_sxdlnNKCGaz4iXWYTSvbj51kfbmt3NYsLINUOFs4_MynrA_oVVbUO7yju0g4Ip8t8_VvBPwlLWXyFCd6xpQVwdcGhkksBtS2T0kdcGu3iXxcQbzHa4W8eNVAy9ruCdlAYR4/s320/102017130_univ_lsr_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If we have a secret sin in our lives that we have been
battling to overcome, or maybe a weakness which had been <b>oh so pleasurable</b> when
we were in the world – a weakness that we had enjoyed thoroughly, but cast off
once we came to the Lord, Satan tries to revive the dying fires of these sins
and shortcomings in the born again believer’s life once more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes, it may not be the sins of our <b>past</b>, but <b>new
</b>pleasures, which we never thought we could enjoy or partake of - sins which we
acknowledged by shaking our heads at, suddenly seem attractive for no thinkable
reason.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Satan places pits before us to fall into, a bit of ice on
the road to slip and fall on, and many times, even the born again ones succumb
to temptation and slip.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The slipping, the falling, the rising, the dusting off, and
the repentance and reconcilitation are all a part of a cycle in the believer’s
life. However, the problem lies not in the falling, but in the thoughts that
occupy the believer’s mind after the fall.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy0c7NQP8KpQkzH7Bq1MxKbHe6kUW4LY7YxZOXbXg7HlIeO5GvwS_T58cuBODelAnX8axunfx4UcPzFjfgwnDHXVzWf_y4E609DMgtmEulOCWuVJe-ftxQaEWwt2JUwMtKhtTCbwYgfJe/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy0c7NQP8KpQkzH7Bq1MxKbHe6kUW4LY7YxZOXbXg7HlIeO5GvwS_T58cuBODelAnX8axunfx4UcPzFjfgwnDHXVzWf_y4E609DMgtmEulOCWuVJe-ftxQaEWwt2JUwMtKhtTCbwYgfJe/s400/images+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you have been close to the Lord, and you have committed
an act of offence towards Him, then you must know the feeling of first guilt,
then remorse, then utter dejection and loss, then once again, as the Lord lays
His comforting hands on you in solace and forgiveness – the feeling of returning
and being forgiven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrq2bsQrkX3qpG9DJl8efc_9Shl0ks4Yd3Ad4LwoeVS4MCRS00JidFUGtYr9Lm7mMB_1s865qDyLHnDB6VRNRrtLKl4Ad-oonE3nRia2WSN7CLz6Qny8FLUSKzbdwWduq6ubScZHlykMX/s1600/Believe_and_Be_Restored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="346" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrq2bsQrkX3qpG9DJl8efc_9Shl0ks4Yd3Ad4LwoeVS4MCRS00JidFUGtYr9Lm7mMB_1s865qDyLHnDB6VRNRrtLKl4Ad-oonE3nRia2WSN7CLz6Qny8FLUSKzbdwWduq6ubScZHlykMX/s400/Believe_and_Be_Restored.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrq2bsQrkX3qpG9DJl8efc_9Shl0ks4Yd3Ad4LwoeVS4MCRS00JidFUGtYr9Lm7mMB_1s865qDyLHnDB6VRNRrtLKl4Ad-oonE3nRia2WSN7CLz6Qny8FLUSKzbdwWduq6ubScZHlykMX/s1600/Believe_and_Be_Restored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Still though, there remains <b>a scar, a burn, a mark, a scab</b> –
and it is <b>this </b>that Satan tries to peel away and scratch at when he brings in
feelings of guilt and unworthiness. With each fall you take, Satan makes you
think you are <b>not good enough</b>, not worthy to receive the Lord’s pardon, indeed
<b>not </b>worth it.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc2HONTpddROVYRZOWNbMAYaE92smMbslOvmUeqZfZxS5qI2PDeVUmJa62lcV2ORHtoAZqcPSfYDhcFvolutso7oadKhxOhsAIAWanpYumf8W4AYbIaReGi55bc_DcoVGFU-8eeHrGXD4/s1600/images11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc2HONTpddROVYRZOWNbMAYaE92smMbslOvmUeqZfZxS5qI2PDeVUmJa62lcV2ORHtoAZqcPSfYDhcFvolutso7oadKhxOhsAIAWanpYumf8W4AYbIaReGi55bc_DcoVGFU-8eeHrGXD4/s320/images11.jpg" width="220" /></a>When the guilt becomes <b>too </b>much, he lures your mind away
from the issue by filling it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with<b> the
cares of the world</b>. He distracts you with the aim to bring in spiritual
lethargy.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The spiritual battle going on for the believer’s life in the
heavenlies, is <b>so </b>fierce, that the effects of the angels struggling in conflict
on behalf of every child of God, can be felt even in the believer’s<b> body and
soul</b>. And it is when we lay down our sword just for a little bit <i><b><span style="color: cyan;">(Oh, I’m so
tired of fighting it!)</span></b></i>, it is then that the enemy brings in his <b>second </b>weapon –
a sense of <b>defeat</b>.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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He makes you <b>so </b>tired that you are ready to think about
anything and everything <b>but </b>your spiritual life. And once this process begins,
the enemy does not retreat silently into the background in celebration. <b>No!</b> He
is continuously prowling the recesses of your mind filling you with guilt. <b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Oh
you’re slipping, you’ve lost again.”, “You did not spend time with the Lord
today! How can you after what you’ve done!”, “Oh you did not read your Bible
today”, “You haven’t prayed.”</span> </i></b>And finally you hear yourself say, as you drift
further away from the Lord’s presence: <span style="color: cyan;"><b><i>“I have gone far from the Lord, I have
displeased the Lord. What has my life become!” </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEYYDG4-yOrEAoFgUOxyHEckS1uuwOELX8iCriHsmDJAk9EpWJafKxS0ZKn3GFZ4LiB_xScL_ZUm6DF0IQwjd01jFIjQXyvEHfh2mdMmL_Sfl3wYSbr2MgLVGIBPpzhH1hihFcnu40fNV/s1600/download+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEYYDG4-yOrEAoFgUOxyHEckS1uuwOELX8iCriHsmDJAk9EpWJafKxS0ZKn3GFZ4LiB_xScL_ZUm6DF0IQwjd01jFIjQXyvEHfh2mdMmL_Sfl3wYSbr2MgLVGIBPpzhH1hihFcnu40fNV/s400/download+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If we follow this downward spiral of depression, we end up,
as many believers have, who first sin, fight against Satan, sin again, fall
again, until finally they get to a point where they’re just too tired, and
throw in their arms –<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Oh I can’t do it anymore.”</span></i></b> Then they allow Satan’s voice
to lure them into a slumber of worldly distraction, before <b>The Guilt Trip</b>
begins. They finally get to a point where their feelings of unworthiness and
guilt convince them that the Lord would be better off without them <b>anyway</b>, that
they weren’t cut <b>out </b>for holy living, or that they were a spiritual waste. And
the end point of this process is coming to the conclusion that it is the
<b>Lord </b>who has drawn away from us, because of our constant sinning.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY5JOSeyzvW9lRbhiplCfAIPUsZ4RA2YmiHTSLUmGqoo9YhsEx39C40077uFAXmKCPd3M1LqLvU4GrNe7fnVzr4Y67JLlmK9BVmnnOyk437LjZ70fW2iF9ppJHW06v7T_3nE3Z9a6M1g4/s1600/download+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY5JOSeyzvW9lRbhiplCfAIPUsZ4RA2YmiHTSLUmGqoo9YhsEx39C40077uFAXmKCPd3M1LqLvU4GrNe7fnVzr4Y67JLlmK9BVmnnOyk437LjZ70fW2iF9ppJHW06v7T_3nE3Z9a6M1g4/s400/download+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">But Oh, Child of God, Hear what the Bible has to say, What
the Lord has to say:</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"> " Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...."</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(James 4: 7, 8 )</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"> "...and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(John 6: 37)</span></i></b></span><br />
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If you allow these thoughts to depress you and make you feel
<b>sinful </b>and <b>guilty</b>, then you <b>allow </b>Satan to take you away from the move of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is not wrong for you to <b>correct </b>and <b>rebuke </b>your inner
man, to demonstrate your remorse with tears, to want to renew your mind by
spending time in prayer and fasting. These are all <b>good </b>disciplines. It is good
to give place to godly sorrow which will turn you to repentance and bring you
back to God from your present state of worldliness.<br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"> " For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation..."</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(II Corithians 7: 10)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
But you can do <b>nothing </b>by
yourself. You need God for this.<span style="color: yellow;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: cyan;">"... for without me ye can do nothing."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(John 15: 5)</span></i></b></span></div>
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Many believers make the mistake of stopping their ears, not
from rebuke but from the cries of acceptance that the Lord offers them. If God
wants to preach to your heart, for your present condition, and you turn away
because you feel you are unworthy – <b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Oh my ears are unworthy to hear this
message because they have heard the world for so long”</span></i></b>, Then one day you will
become deaf to the message and the cries of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many Christians allow <b><span style="color: cyan;">The Guilt Trip</span></b> to grip them <b>so
</b>viciously, that they even stop going to <b>church </b>on Sundays, because they feel
<b>unworthy, unlovable, undeserving</b>. Instead of lifting up their eyes and looking
at the open arms of their Saviour, ready to soothe their yearning hearts, and
heal their running sores, they give in to the voice of The Evil One: <b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“All these
days you have been so distant from the Lord, you have not been praying, you
have not been meditating, what is the use of hearing the message if it does not
affect you? First go and cleanse yourself and then go for fellowship…otherwise
what’s the use?!!”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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This is Satan’s <b>third </b>weapon, his third trick. When Satan wants
you out of God’s presence he says, <b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Stop hearing the Word. It will do you no
good. You have to first cleanse yourself.”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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But the Lord says,<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> “ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15: 3)</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPsichcdqJ6ftP6n6j3ujyEydNjmq-6ty4gAHrZ7wbP5HsT11Ff5npwmdBd2XGT79nzQ1ME6YYFpK2k3LMBQUfTDxLhUPIRjPIcJXipTRxl6vYXnNxuIUseJ2CNZb8IMLHfLLXx3Wcg1f/s1600/images+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="284" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPsichcdqJ6ftP6n6j3ujyEydNjmq-6ty4gAHrZ7wbP5HsT11Ff5npwmdBd2XGT79nzQ1ME6YYFpK2k3LMBQUfTDxLhUPIRjPIcJXipTRxl6vYXnNxuIUseJ2CNZb8IMLHfLLXx3Wcg1f/s320/images+%252811%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>When a child runs out into the playground, and unheeding of
his mother’s call, speeds up till he falls into the mud, hurts himself, and soils his hands,
his feet, his clothes, what does the mother do? Doesn’t she run toward the
child in alarm and concern – her little one has fallen, he must have hurt
himself, the poor thing! She lifts the crying child to her bosom, smooths his
brow, plants a kiss on his cheek, speaks to him soothingly, searches for
bruises on his body, and then tries her best to ease his pain. Will a mother
discard her child for his disobedience? Even if he is a wild, naughty brat of a
child. <b>No</b>! For he is <b>her </b>child.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsYHSDl6y9YwC7fqAeDt2rPptnWJcdbkzL8vzXDQXVa3N6WqV6VbgUjgPyX3sYrhzHuIVctrjFWqnUyDhG0k1iw_9065urZNKJWB-0gXYHIrLfNd0OpfwEmkTkUWbkCccFGjwRjC2fpG-/s1600/download+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsYHSDl6y9YwC7fqAeDt2rPptnWJcdbkzL8vzXDQXVa3N6WqV6VbgUjgPyX3sYrhzHuIVctrjFWqnUyDhG0k1iw_9065urZNKJWB-0gXYHIrLfNd0OpfwEmkTkUWbkCccFGjwRjC2fpG-/s320/download+%25289%2529.jpg" width="229" /></a><br />
This is the way it is with every believing child of God. If you
sin, maybe more often than you want to, God is not keeping count of the times
you fall. He is only waiting to help you up and get you back in place. He is
not waiting to condemn you with looks of fierceness, if you just lift up your eyes
to His face, you will see – His eyes are full of love and hope, for He sees in
you the diamond that you will one day become.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even when you are weak, He sees in you – a potential
warrior.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This does not mean that we go on sinning. For the Bible
says:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b> <span style="color: cyan;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">" <o:p></o:p>Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="color: yellow;"> " But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates."</span></b></i><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><i><b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></i>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(II Corinthians 13: 6,7)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> "...not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(I Peter 2: 16)</span></i></b></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"> " And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(I John 2: 1, 2)</span></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once we are born again, we do not <b>willfully </b>sin. All true
believers may fall prey to temptation in some areas of their life. Their sins
may be serious ones with long lasting repurcussions, that may take longer to
heal, or they may be slips here and there that cause nagging hindrances in
their spiritual life. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Your sins may stop a blessing, may hinder a reward, may even
turn the course of your life. But, once you come to the Lord in true humility
and repentance, (and the Lord only recognizes true repentance), it is <b>then </b>that
you receive His forgiveness.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Let us take heed to this text from <span style="color: cyan;"><b>Hebrews Chapter 10:</b></span><br />
<br />
<b><i> <span style="color: yellow;"> <span style="color: cyan;">" By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " And having an high priest over the house of God;</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> " Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Hebrews 10: -10 - 22)</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many believers who travel <b><span style="color: cyan;">The Guilt Trip</span></b> and are absorbed by
it, atend to and forget that the Lord Jesus Christ bore their punishment once and for
all on the cross. It is not our worthiness that the Lord sees – but the worth
of the blood that has been applied to our hearts, and how much we do value it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRnZ3jI3OLVKoNOQE-oLAvup2Utl9sa14O3OR38m0dc2jtlp6BnGpbZDn1Y8FBckUbyHt_-1U1FnzGR-jflMxSoROJ0UELmV8-CkHjtr3T2liCqGApjxuJC6MNDduGTM3-MML9LOjt_tN/s1600/images+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="245" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRnZ3jI3OLVKoNOQE-oLAvup2Utl9sa14O3OR38m0dc2jtlp6BnGpbZDn1Y8FBckUbyHt_-1U1FnzGR-jflMxSoROJ0UELmV8-CkHjtr3T2liCqGApjxuJC6MNDduGTM3-MML9LOjt_tN/s320/images+%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>Be careful Child of God. This may seem like a small thing in
your life right now – this causal <span style="color: cyan;"><b>‘slip and fall</b>’.</span> And you may have not
understood it as it was happening. And you may think, “ What’s all the fuss
about?” But, <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">"your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (I Peter 5: 5)</span></i></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as you would take a pill for the flu, or a visit a
doctor if you are physically ill, if you are spiritually sick shouldn’t you
still come into the presence of the Lord? So that you may not lose your pay of
heavenly riches? So that you may not lose the favour of the Lord?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dearly Beloved, take care that the devil does not deceive
you with The Guilt Trip. It is the oldest trick in the book.</div>
</div>
Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07011052114024024719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135409057321301252.post-23249089997222676042018-03-29T07:23:00.001-07:002018-03-29T07:37:35.132-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">The Heavenly Prayer </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">(A Bible Study on the
Lord's Prayer)</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zzojJq6g5fiNJwe8NLmI4iJ2R5WrlDaioD-Zn-jJCWlxoZ05MWietF8HDLgqKQJjcnUs0HqDkvdC2FDsOpAiuzgl3JB0bYQ2uAhotOVQCHbOMWt4mk2LGPy6MEc1fzucqaR1Dc1q5odR/s1600/sermon_optimized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zzojJq6g5fiNJwe8NLmI4iJ2R5WrlDaioD-Zn-jJCWlxoZ05MWietF8HDLgqKQJjcnUs0HqDkvdC2FDsOpAiuzgl3JB0bYQ2uAhotOVQCHbOMWt4mk2LGPy6MEc1fzucqaR1Dc1q5odR/s400/sermon_optimized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“Give us this day our
daily bread.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“And forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>(Matthew 6: 9-13)</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We all know the
Lord’s prayer uttered on the Mount of Beatitudes in the presence of His
disciples.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Many of us learned it
by rote as kids, in Sunday school. Some of us still use it today in our
services. There have been many sermons written on this particular subject over
the centuries. And it remains a favourite Bible study topic the world over.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What we need to look
at is not the structure, the prose, or the beauty of the ideas expressed in
this prayer, but the deep significance beyond the words that holds the power to
change our lives.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Now, the Lord’s prayer
was Jesus’ attempt at teaching His disciples how to communicate with the
Heavenly Father, the Great Eternal Spirit.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">And it came to pass,
that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples. (Luke 11: 1)</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here one of the
disciples asks Jesus to teach them to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his
disciples. Does this mean that the disciples had never prayed before? They
obviously knew the meaning of prayer, or they wouldn’t have asked Jesus to
teach them how to. And since this particular disciple refers to John’s teaching
about prayer, it naturally follows that he had heard John’s teaching, and seen
John’s disciples praying after their baptism in preparation for the coming
Messiah.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_WQ-d5EHWTvEiohOILQwqfzvjzVS6Ihd3m_r5WrhnEdKOWQtNjFQPdKEpqbF4Xw5IRS75H0Rl0PYhFXN22OjViZRL8M5PMdtQyIG3lqyohDnFVJtQ7BLNDNcecIor3FLDxYtP-nSycdE/s1600/images+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_WQ-d5EHWTvEiohOILQwqfzvjzVS6Ihd3m_r5WrhnEdKOWQtNjFQPdKEpqbF4Xw5IRS75H0Rl0PYhFXN22OjViZRL8M5PMdtQyIG3lqyohDnFVJtQ7BLNDNcecIor3FLDxYtP-nSycdE/s1600/images+%25285%2529.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You have to
understand at this point of time in Israel, idol worship was rampant, new
religions and sects were springing up, brought in by the different peoples who
were settling in the land of Israel under Roman rule. Many Israelis had turned
to idol worship, and left following Jehovah. And for those who still remained
faithful to the One God, who had brought them out of Egypt, all Jewish
religious activity was carried out as directed by the local rabbis, and in the
temples as instructed by the priests of either the Pharisaic or Sadducee sects.</b></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Communication with
God was clouded and difficult. It was less spontaneous, and more a religious
pattern of prayers that had been written down by the scribes of that day. The
Jewish believers of that time were required to recite the Shema -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the central statement of Jewish belief, the
formulaic blessings (berakhot) before and after it, the Amidah or ‘The Prayer
of 18 blessings’, and certain texts from the Torah. There was
less emphasis placed on heartfelt prayer, and more on recitations and strict
adherence to the law.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-4l0W9dShLyed_3KjgalBA2eQlM6B2Fxsz0Bw7W729GvpVo3VzksVDdg_AGUnglpcYD-cm9e3tD_cX3o0cdxK-20qEC_hSpFerYGtTvyv_D1zs09fHJJtoB_BJu5kU2EQaK7_DUK5TBx/s1600/jesus-with-children-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-4l0W9dShLyed_3KjgalBA2eQlM6B2Fxsz0Bw7W729GvpVo3VzksVDdg_AGUnglpcYD-cm9e3tD_cX3o0cdxK-20qEC_hSpFerYGtTvyv_D1zs09fHJJtoB_BJu5kU2EQaK7_DUK5TBx/s320/jesus-with-children-2.jpg" width="300" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So The Lord’s Prayer
was actually a revolutionary step in breaking religious tradition and
approaching the Great God of Moses and Elijah, the God who made the heavens and
the earth, without any religious show or trappings.</b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus was teaching His
disciples that God, the Eternal Spirit was easily approachable, and that prayer
was like a little child finding its way over to its Father’s lap to be embraced
and cuddled.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Now, before bringing
in this teaching of prayer, the Lord taught his disciples how to prepare
to communicate with their Father:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be
as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto
you, They have their reward.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into
thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for
your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 6: 5-8) </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here we find 4 points
to consider:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our prayers should not be hypocritical
or for outward show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heart’s prayers should be private.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shouldn’t pray using vain repetitions
as the unbelievers do. (like rote prayers and chants, as the Jewish leaders
used to recite in those days)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should understand that God knows what
we need even before we pray for those needs.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rAEhEqvOTeO3wd8Dg6EX4ghSlOlEZdY3r4VcsjcWYYKywLRWz6pvWU-ngrFOWCLGYTfgxLIIQdzd8zrmiqzMW8fQUv_lwFoJirUqzEQojuhe5xl0LWahDwdvP4EXhvGmgx_u_DgDAopi/s1600/images+%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rAEhEqvOTeO3wd8Dg6EX4ghSlOlEZdY3r4VcsjcWYYKywLRWz6pvWU-ngrFOWCLGYTfgxLIIQdzd8zrmiqzMW8fQUv_lwFoJirUqzEQojuhe5xl0LWahDwdvP4EXhvGmgx_u_DgDAopi/s1600/images+%252823%2529.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In teaching His
disciples the above points, Jesus is saying: You have a Father who is yearning
to hear your heart’s cry, not your many words. Speak directly to Him, not to
those around you. He can hear even the secrets of your heart. He knows what you
need even before you ask Him.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So before we pray we
need to cast off:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hypocrisy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showmanship<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wordiness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intellectuality</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We need to address
Him as a child would his Father: It’s as simple as that.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let us take a look at
verse 9:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">“After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">I OUR FATHER </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In this verse, The
Lord teaches us to say, <span style="color: yellow;">“Our Father in heaven"</span>, not <i><span style="color: cyan;">My</span></i> Father, but <span style="color: cyan;"><i>Our</i></span>
Father. In saying this we understand the relationship that we have with the
Father along with others in the family of God.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let us read a few
more texts to better understand what Jesus was trying to convey:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and
your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20: 17)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But we see Jesus, who was made a little
lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and
honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For it became him, for whom are all
things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make
the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">Hebrews 2:9, 10)</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This was a new idea
indeed. The Jewish people who all knew that they had come from the first man
Adam, and were of the seed of Abraham, glorified their state as the chosen
people of God, and while holding fast to the man-made traditions that had so
blinded them in their worship, exulted in the fact that Abraham was their
father – they glorified their earthly relationship with Abraham, the Father of
Many Nations. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But here, The Lord
Jesus was taking them one step higher – offering them the boldness to call the
God whom they had been taught to behold with awe and trembling, as some distant
deity, to call this great and eternal <i>‘I Am’</i>, the<i> J_h</i> whom they dared not even
name, <i><span style="color: cyan;">“Father”.</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">From the above texts
in John 20 and Hebrews 2, we infer that the Lord Jesus, <i><span style="color: yellow;">“who thought it not
robbery to be equal with God”</span></i>, claims us as His brethren, places Himself on an
equal footing with us in addressing the Great Eternal Spirit as <span style="color: cyan;">“My Father and
Your Father” – “Our Father”.</span> It is through Jesus Christ, the only begotten <span style="color: cyan;">‘Son
of God’</span>, that the rest of us receive the right to be called the <span style="color: cyan;">“sons of God”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">II HALLOWED BE THY
NAME</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Verse 9 also says :
<i><span style="color: yellow;">“Hallowed be Thy Name”</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To hallow is<span style="color: cyan;"> "to
make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate"</span>. The
adjective form hallowed, as used in The Lord's Prayer, means holy, consecrated,
sacred, or revered. (Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let us go to another
verse in the Song of Solomon,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>“Because of the
savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do
the virgins love thee.” (Song of Solomon 1: 3)</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here the Lord is
giving glory to the work of God in Himself. The Name of the Lord, as King
Solomon wrote, was as an ointment poured out. The<span style="color: cyan;"> Name of the Lord Jesus Christ</span>
was an <span style="color: cyan;">ointment poured out to cover and heal the sins of the world.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It is now with the
wisdom of the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand and appreciate the
beauty of Christ’s teaching that day. Even the disciples who found it hard to
grasp the Great Teacher’s message on several occasions, would probably have
recalled His words on the mount once they received the Holy Spirit, and
marveled at their depth.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The next verse, verse
10 says:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">“Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">III “THY KINGDOM
COME, THY WILL BE DONE"</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let us consider the
first part of these words: <i><span style="color: yellow;">“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”.</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This clearly denotes
a future or coming kingdom. Surely, we know that the kingdom of this world does
not belong to the Lord. This present world, as we know it, is the Devil’s
kingdom. The lust of the world, the lust of eyes, the pride of life, does
absolutely not belong to the Lord. Wasn’t this what the Lord told Pilate?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">“Jesus answered, My
kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I wonder what Pontius
Pilate thought when he heard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>this. He must have concluded that Jesus was either a harmless lunatic,
or an idealist who had displeased the Jewish religious leaders somehow, or a
mystic who lived in his own little world.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The disciples too,
could not possibly have understood what Jesus was saying about the kingdom.
They probably thought the Lord was talking about liberating them from Roman
rule, as they had been taught the Messiah would do.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But the kingdom that
the Lord was teaching His disciples to pray for was a <span style="color: cyan;">“future kingdom”. </span>A
kingdom which He could see in the spirit of prophecy - an untarnished and
uncorrupted Paradise governed in truth and justice - a kingdom of peace and
restoration that man could not even imagine.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">IV ON EARTH AS IT IS
IN HEAVEN</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Now Let’s go to
<span style="color: yellow;"><i>Isaiah 60: 9-15</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="color: yellow;">“Surely the isles shall wait for me, and
the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their
gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of
Israel, because he hath glorified thee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the sons of strangers shall build up
thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote
thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore thy gates shall be open
continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee
the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the nation and kingdom that will not
serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee,
the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my
sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sons also of them that afflicted thee
shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow
themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of
the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"> Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated,
so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy
of many generations.” (Isaiah 60:
9-15)</span></i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This scripture is
prophetically speaking about <span style="color: cyan;">the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ being established
on the earth</span>. It is what Jesus says in the second part of the 10th verse :<i> <span style="color: yellow;">“on
earth as it is in heaven”</span></i>: the kingdom rule in the heavenlies, with the angels
and the saints, coming down to the earth and being established here.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">V. GIVE US THIS DAY, OUR DAILY BREAD.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Verse 11 read thus:<span style="color: yellow;"> “</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Give us this day our daily bread.”</b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now daily bread, as referred to in this text has both a
physical as well as a spiritual meaning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><b>A) ‘Daily Bread’</b></span> in literal terms means <span style="color: cyan;"><b>‘Daily Provision’</b></span> – our
everyday needs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lets us go to<span style="color: yellow;"><i><b> Luke 12: 24</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;">“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which
neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye
better than the fowls?”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now if we consider the ravens, as the above scripture tells us to, we notice three things:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan;">1. The raven is an uninvited guest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">2. The raven has a harsh voice, grating to the ear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">3. The raven is among one of the uglier species of birds.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Inspite of all this, the Lord tells us in <b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Psalms 147 verse 9</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;">"He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens
which cry."</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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So here, we hear the Lord say, He provides for the ravens, who are neither pleasant to look at, nor pleasant to hear, nor invited at meal times, and usually make a nuisance of themselves cawing for a morsel. And in His loving voice He tells us, </div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;"><i>"How far more precious are you my children, than these birds, you - made in my own image! You - who are the most beautiful among all of my creation, with voices raised in songs of praise - so pleasant to my ear -You who have been invited to my table to sup with me - And shall I not care for your daily needs?"</i></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan;">B) </span>‘Daily Bread’ in the spiritual sense refers to <b><span style="color: cyan;">‘spiritual
teaching’.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><b>The Lord also taught us that:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." </span></i></b></span><b><span style="color: yellow;"><i>(Matthew 4: 4)</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That is to say, that it is not by earthly things alone that man exists, but by the will and the Spirit of Life that God has placed within him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In <b><span style="color: yellow;"><i>John 6: 35</i>,</span></b> Jesus says,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>"<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh
to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is the Lord Jesus Himself, who is our spiritual nourishment. It is by His Spirit that we receive strength to fight the enemy and power to defeat him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Lord teaches His disciples to ask the Heavenly Father
for their daily needs, as well as spiritual infilling for their everyday
spiritual warfare. He teaches them that their Father is the Jehovah Jireh the
Lord who provides all.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">VI. “AND FORGIVE US
OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In verse 12 we learn about forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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As per God’s law, we are forgiven for our sins, based on our
forgiveness towards others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
That is to say, if we do <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
</b>forgive others for the wrongs committed against us, we can most surely <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> </b>expect forgiveness for <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> </b>sins from the Lord of heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="color: yellow;">“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.”</span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Matthew 6: 14, 15)</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We cannot hold double standards before God.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we profess godliness, and are to be true to the image of
God in which we are created, then we have to imbibe the nature and character of
our Father – the nature of forgiving wrongs and slights done against us. It is
only when we learn to forgive others with a whole heart, that we are able to
mirror our Father in heaven, who does the same for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">VII. “AND LEAD US NOT
INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL:”</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love
him.</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot
be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Do not err, my beloved brethren.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(James 1: 12 – 16)</span></i></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to the above scripture, God does not actually <b>lead </b>us into temptation, we are pulled
by our own desires and enticed. And it is the devil who is behind this.
However, when Jesus teaches His disciples to pray: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Lead us not”</span></i></b> He actually
means to say, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: cyan;">“Do not abandon us in temptation.”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">'“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds;)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(II Corinthians 10: 3-6)</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to
repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive
damage by us in nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented
of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what
indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea,
what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this
matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">( II Corinthians 7: 9-11)</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the above text, Paul speaks about how the believer is in
a continuous conflict with his old nature; and how the focal point of Christian life is this striving towards sanctification until our goal and our existence becomes one and the same, and we overcome sin through our faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We strive against temptation, against sin, against our own self; we find ourselves wrestling against the powers of a world puling us into destruction. It is in the midst of this conflict, that we realize that we need not strive of ourselves; but rather surrender the battle to the one who already paid the price for our sins. It is in this - our complete acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus offered up for us; in our applying this sacrifice in our daily lives, in our times of anger, remorse, frustration, weakness, adamance - the fact that no <b>more </b>is to be done, because <b>all </b>was accomplished on the cross, and it is only if we hold on to that belief, if we exercise our faith in that act of salvation on the cross, that we receive our deliverance from the chains that bind us within and without. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So temptation is an act of Satan, and deliverance - an act of God, and the power to withstand the one and to receive the other rests solely in our hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-Hbkq2DE4u4-AbXCZn0KBPHqz_XcklIkd0BXjLrT2SnFYUyQMsN-IKVjjhg3L_ErUvjVASAp21RDGE1TDMI9QFi8pb1-lYrh7Z0upkV4cs7R1WGoz25k1zVOIyLFZa-jkLc50NY4iqwf/s1600/ChristNewEarth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></a><span style="color: cyan;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: cyan;"><b>VIII. "FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, </b></span><b>FOREVER, AMEN."</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here we observe three things:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;">The Kingdom: </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And the seventh angel sounded; and there
were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">the kingdoms</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever
and ever.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Revelation 11: 15)</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Kingdom speaks about the <b>Millenial Reign of Christ</b> and the renewal of the earth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;">The Power: </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">And Jesus came
and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Matthew 28: 18)</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Power speaks about the <b>authority that we recognize in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ</b> today. It is this authority of the Father that we shall see face to face in the person of Jesus Christ when we are transformed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;">The Glory:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="color: yellow;"><i>"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="color: yellow;"><i>"For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>"And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."</i></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="color: yellow;"><i>(II Peter 1: 16 - 18)</i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Glory speaks about the<b> transformation power of God manifest in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ </b>- the glory of the Father revealed in the Son - revealed to us His children - as He transforms us into the image of God.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we conclude, we accept the absolute sovereignty of God in our own lives, and in the world to come.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For truly, our souls rest in the expectation of that great day when the kingdom reign of Christ is ushered in, and the new earth will be ruled with justice and love, and all the nations of the earth shall acknowledge the power of Christ.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-Hbkq2DE4u4-AbXCZn0KBPHqz_XcklIkd0BXjLrT2SnFYUyQMsN-IKVjjhg3L_ErUvjVASAp21RDGE1TDMI9QFi8pb1-lYrh7Z0upkV4cs7R1WGoz25k1zVOIyLFZa-jkLc50NY4iqwf/s1600/ChristNewEarth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-Hbkq2DE4u4-AbXCZn0KBPHqz_XcklIkd0BXjLrT2SnFYUyQMsN-IKVjjhg3L_ErUvjVASAp21RDGE1TDMI9QFi8pb1-lYrh7Z0upkV4cs7R1WGoz25k1zVOIyLFZa-jkLc50NY4iqwf/s400/ChristNewEarth2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07011052114024024719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135409057321301252.post-32142127056708264872017-07-19T06:28:00.002-07:002017-10-27T02:27:47.888-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;"><b><u>Restoration of the Heart</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">The Human heart is, in biblical terms, the very </span><i style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">soul </i><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">or </span><i style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">being </i><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">of man. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5O2XY9I19Sgz5K5ymyIecM6WMxNv7VkX8uf_G8NByobGUcunYjAjsQekzVynh3NcT2Ec59-t3ZyvPzLmVOFOpLxKZ77KID94p8TGiNiqEcYs1D4odTPpb8Gn6bygpcksL-h5zkA2T2E7/s1600/images+%252870%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5O2XY9I19Sgz5K5ymyIecM6WMxNv7VkX8uf_G8NByobGUcunYjAjsQekzVynh3NcT2Ec59-t3ZyvPzLmVOFOpLxKZ77KID94p8TGiNiqEcYs1D4odTPpb8Gn6bygpcksL-h5zkA2T2E7/s320/images+%252870%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">It is where his emotions, ambitions, desires, and thoughts ebb and flow, and circulate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is the home of man’s reasoning and decision making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about the heart:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="color: cyan;">Jeremiah 17: 1,9,10</span></b> reads: <i><b><span style="color: cyan;">“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the tablet of their heart,…”</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this text, the Lord is talking about the kingdom of Judah in the natural sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the death of King Solomon of Israel, the 12 tribes of Israel were divided into two kingdoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, became king of the southern kingdom of Judah, which was comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and much of the tribe of Levi, the tribe that served at the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeroboam, a former servant of King Solomon, became king of the northern kingdom of Israel, which was comprised of the remaining 10 tribes <b><span style="color: cyan;">(1 Kings 11 and 12)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When God punished Israel and scattered the kingdom due to its disobedience and idolatry, Judah was watching. Judah had an example of what would befall it, if it too, departed from the Lord’s ways; yet, the kingdom of Judah as well, fell into disobedience and came under the wrath of God. This is why in Jeremiah 17, verse 1, the Bible says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: cyan;">“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond.”</span></b></i> i.e. <b><span style="color: yellow;">‘almost impossible to erase’.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now seeing that we all have fallen from the grace of God, and are continually prey to sinful thoughts and desires on account of our fallen nature, the Lord is emphasizing our helplessness by saying, ‘here in the seat of man’s <i>very </i>soul’, where He, as a Creator and Savior hopes to dwell…on the tablet of the heart is engraved - ‘<i>SIN</i>’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now look closely at the terms used in this sentence:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> - </span>A pen of iron<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b>-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> - </span>The point of a diamond<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> - </span>The tablet of the heart</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO43PEVEYWPGQi-N2c7Ja9BQnBZAnxJnhJMh8NY3ip_qYHkEs7oKNrVHLPOGZYgqeEPAYM1xiRe35zT_AyPIbkGQEtNEhXVAi6xTiKU7-uKIa5Ad_QG97MaDyOdeHqiDPA0cNqAYr9oT5y/s1600/images+%252872%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO43PEVEYWPGQi-N2c7Ja9BQnBZAnxJnhJMh8NY3ip_qYHkEs7oKNrVHLPOGZYgqeEPAYM1xiRe35zT_AyPIbkGQEtNEhXVAi6xTiKU7-uKIa5Ad_QG97MaDyOdeHqiDPA0cNqAYr9oT5y/s200/images+%252872%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have seen ancient engravings on stone or metal tablets at a museum, you’ll know how the letters or symbols are scratched into the base, <i>hard</i>, almost tearing into the substance of the base be it rock or wood, or any other material…. It perforates the material, penetrating the surface….<i>digging </i>into it to leave a mark which can never be naturally erased….<i>deep </i>and biting….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all know the metal - iron, which is used in the manufacture of steel, tin, and aluminium, and constitutes a common material in all of our global infrastructure today.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6cvVP-5RTGGiSAQiBGniSI6x80k-Zn-g0iPa0Sx5S0u8TLI1T50EDpmb0NrnUmIYFZnaYxqXhutpj0WAHZaQYACNh4mbUGfG-QsMEntMrYKSVb2NhYghcGNp1X3yZTt33beOCWyR83gj/s1600/download+%252837%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="283" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6cvVP-5RTGGiSAQiBGniSI6x80k-Zn-g0iPa0Sx5S0u8TLI1T50EDpmb0NrnUmIYFZnaYxqXhutpj0WAHZaQYACNh4mbUGfG-QsMEntMrYKSVb2NhYghcGNp1X3yZTt33beOCWyR83gj/s200/download+%252837%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we also know that there is nothing purer or sharper than a diamond. Diamonds today, besides being used as jewelry, are also used in most high precision industries for precision cutting, shaping, and polishing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_LJMqzJiTZ8Kq_S4wLcrTz06Y55ohihOonVfS0J_YufgoAR8Mb1g12EhoHyky_G4p7ixO2efam2EJxGTtOlc2SHeFOEfLUfyPYzgtsPkmo_OTSEMQ3XnDzwzabhR-3ryzXxYGHVYM6BG/s1600/download+%252838%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_LJMqzJiTZ8Kq_S4wLcrTz06Y55ohihOonVfS0J_YufgoAR8Mb1g12EhoHyky_G4p7ixO2efam2EJxGTtOlc2SHeFOEfLUfyPYzgtsPkmo_OTSEMQ3XnDzwzabhR-3ryzXxYGHVYM6BG/s200/download+%252838%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Now try to imagine a <i>pen </i>made out of iron, with the <i>point </i>of a diamond <i>engraving </i>something on a human <i>heart</i>! What a mess that would make, with the sharp blade like point <i>goring </i>into the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, no, that is not what the Lord means. It is a metaphor trying to convey how deep we have wounded Him by our sin. It is an illustration of how futile our self-effort at cleaning up our lives is. How can you patch together a gored heart? How can you naturally restore a surface to what it was before it had been engraved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addressing Judah, the Lord is addressing us all and saying, <i>“Your sin is like a deep engraving which can never be erased.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let us move to <span style="color: cyan;"><b>verse 9</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu8oPXh8-_5uB0V61SypZH9nTd6GtGl4fmDklUbvGDvAOmg6BUhSMAHV2IPec3f1fu0JN6Su6-7ofjfnQGRkzzRW3538o53rfJn9Y3R5EgnP2ZN8q9QDXKU0OIBlOrPZPeKw8tVyLQbBd/s1600/3be600e7b7eb0d5e4448d93f31b29b15--broken-heart-drawings-broken-heart-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu8oPXh8-_5uB0V61SypZH9nTd6GtGl4fmDklUbvGDvAOmg6BUhSMAHV2IPec3f1fu0JN6Su6-7ofjfnQGRkzzRW3538o53rfJn9Y3R5EgnP2ZN8q9QDXKU0OIBlOrPZPeKw8tVyLQbBd/s200/3be600e7b7eb0d5e4448d93f31b29b15--broken-heart-drawings-broken-heart-art.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">So our hearts can even deceive ourselves. Our thoughts, our intents, our desires, our logic, can even turn against us and leads us one way when we know deep down we should be going another. Our very hearts can take <i>‘the wrong’</i> and convince ourselves, that it is <i>‘the right’.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">And our hearts are <i>‘desperately wicked’</i>, very hard words these….Our hearts? <i>Our good hearts in which we carry good thoughts, care and concern for others, love and peace</i>….desperately wicked…?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="color: yellow;">DESPERATE</span></u></b><span style="color: yellow;">: <i>adjective</i>: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i>having a great need or desire for something.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: medium;">(Synonyms: in great need of, urgently requiring, craving, in want of, lacking, wanting; )</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our hearts are prone to sin, prone to wander, prone to deceive our very selves, prone to wickedness because of the great desperation that lies within; without the righteousness and redemption of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFiVEx1m616F6ENyUT14xCcm8z0zSqUZk-W888MKxcvASx6UfCryO5ABs5fr7FZUsrWasjulJhpq9cy4STtvSOx6d3ha2sNq5-5S4ShZDZmlNtqdn_fOu3uBA6JKCx_RNxccN-Fn5MdbB/s1600/b2ap3_large_jamieedwards_walleye05+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1280" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFiVEx1m616F6ENyUT14xCcm8z0zSqUZk-W888MKxcvASx6UfCryO5ABs5fr7FZUsrWasjulJhpq9cy4STtvSOx6d3ha2sNq5-5S4ShZDZmlNtqdn_fOu3uBA6JKCx_RNxccN-Fn5MdbB/s200/b2ap3_large_jamieedwards_walleye05+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The heart of man is almost like a fish – slippery, hard to catch, hard to rein in, and hard to hold on to with a firm grip without it slipping out of hands. This is probably why the Lord compared men to fish when He told Peter,<b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“….Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19).</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indeed the Lord proved this to His disciples twice, while they were in their fishing boats. <i>Both those </i>times, they had caught nothing. And, <i>each </i>time, on obeying the Lord’s word, when He told them to cast the nets, they hadn’t been able to haul in the catch due to the multitude of fish!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvzNHt0-lOPpTAuT86HTJGOm06S2Lg5ZvITZkETHa2O8UMj8EnSo2CKUf9ejt5NwYQVF0OecI1fGLHUkVm4z9FLo_GVFCQ9_P6LZxxJti4e7M29kqC08X5jrxyXG-B7_68I7c3jI2NKNf/s1600/download+%252840%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="261" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvzNHt0-lOPpTAuT86HTJGOm06S2Lg5ZvITZkETHa2O8UMj8EnSo2CKUf9ejt5NwYQVF0OecI1fGLHUkVm4z9FLo_GVFCQ9_P6LZxxJti4e7M29kqC08X5jrxyXG-B7_68I7c3jI2NKNf/s400/download+%252840%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What the Lord was trying to say was: </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: yellow;">‘Although you may be experienced fishermen, it is I who move the fish into the nets’</span></i><span style="font-size: large;">, or, </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: yellow;">‘Although I send you out to win the hearts of men for my kingdom, it is I who give you the yield.’</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> This is because the Creator of man alone has the power to draw in, hold, and cleanse man's heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But we find comfort in this…our hopelessness…in <b><i><span style="color: cyan;">Jeremiah 17:10:-<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,…”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">“Try the reins”</span></i> in modern English literally translates into <span style="color: yellow;"><i>“Test the mind.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit brings into our hearts the conviction of sin. And this is how the Lord <span style="color: yellow;">‘searches the hearts’</span> and <span style="color: yellow;">‘tests the mind’</span> of man….through the insight of the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCwwI9KIRnb7xkulIawSPgc_Msebb-upKvKVPDtCO-n13fU_2glc3iiNLAnSUOjLflJFQQKiZnUC6Hk02wquObpHE-EMH9xy4L3mVUruUNpD7zxbse4rKErCtGm6BXidEOGTsaLnCRo0W/s1600/download+%252841%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCwwI9KIRnb7xkulIawSPgc_Msebb-upKvKVPDtCO-n13fU_2glc3iiNLAnSUOjLflJFQQKiZnUC6Hk02wquObpHE-EMH9xy4L3mVUruUNpD7zxbse4rKErCtGm6BXidEOGTsaLnCRo0W/s200/download+%252841%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This conviction of sin bears fruit in the heart of man. It is the means for inviting the Creator of the Universe to dwell within it, and fill the huge void that sin has made with its harsh engravings upon it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the brutal piercing and tearing up of the heart of man by sin is covered and healed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBIZGrDrFIxiSY60d1zTIMWc0K3nn0tNfEimijain-cAHCouuWb_h_7-Moyq0kuKQYXk2n_DBDU3ECydPcflaYRHzvJbRHFk7eGQOrjFjZJoK4RZ7lNnnB5Mmvm-B82wY3gEoNUWFORZd/s1600/images+%252869%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBIZGrDrFIxiSY60d1zTIMWc0K3nn0tNfEimijain-cAHCouuWb_h_7-Moyq0kuKQYXk2n_DBDU3ECydPcflaYRHzvJbRHFk7eGQOrjFjZJoK4RZ7lNnnB5Mmvm-B82wY3gEoNUWFORZd/s1600/images+%252869%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It is then that we can say like David,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i>“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i>“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i>“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i>“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: cyan;">(Psalms 119: 9-11, 105)</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, here, we see the sequence of the renewal of the heart of man:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Taking heed to the Word of God (Obeying the Lord’s commandments)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Seeking the Lord with our WHOLE HEARTS (Bringing our thoughts into complete subjection to Him)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">c.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Hiding His Word in our hearts (Allowing His Word to become part of our nature)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">d.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Considering the Word of God our guide (Honoring the Word of God in our way of life)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rVEGZ56jdflXi1mvis6WVYodf1IBx1w0PulVYa2VknMRH2Vu14nlygupb6f_J5vup6KF97xkktn5b4BBE_ECEBHJEvDrs-nqgHSGlzXX90w3f0g-H7j7CbZa_7lGwqiTD4_9w0uRZP5v/s1600/heart-cross1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="425" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rVEGZ56jdflXi1mvis6WVYodf1IBx1w0PulVYa2VknMRH2Vu14nlygupb6f_J5vup6KF97xkktn5b4BBE_ECEBHJEvDrs-nqgHSGlzXX90w3f0g-H7j7CbZa_7lGwqiTD4_9w0uRZP5v/s200/heart-cross1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In conclusion, the heart of man which had once been ravished and torn by sin, once it acknowledges the sacrifice of the sinless Lamb that took its place on Calvary, and bore the shame of sin’s scars and the pain of sin’s wounds, so that it may be restored to its former pure and undefiled condition; is softened, healed, and renewed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The engravings of sin upon this tablet, even though carved deep, have now been erased and it’s marks filled in by the blood of the Savior.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It now appears as just as it had been in the day it was created through the resurrection power of Christ.</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><u>Repentance & Confession</u></span><u style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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We who are Christians are
familiar with the term <b>Repentance</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><b><u>REPENTANCE</u></b> :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: cyan;">“</span><b><span style="color: cyan;">the
action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.”</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We know that in order to be saved
we need to feel </span><b style="text-align: justify;">repentance</b><span style="text-align: justify;">, to
repent of our past sins and mistakes.</span></div>
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We feel sorry for our sins, our
failings, our weaknesses. We recognize that we have been wrong, done wrong, are
wrong; and we accept the rightness of God.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In Christian terms we recognize
that we are sinners, have sinned, have fallen short of the glory of God, have
distanced ourselves from our Maker either knowingly or unknowingly, have lived
in a state of arrogance, negligence, and rebelliousness.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">The Bible says in Romans 3: 23,<b><i> “For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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This
inward admission of our sin or guilt is <b>Repentance</b>.</div>
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It is this <b>repentance</b> that fuels our need or desire to be saved, to be made
right with God, to put on the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Repentance</b> then, goes hand in hand with <b>Confession</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">CONFESSION: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“a
formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“a
statement setting out essential religious doctrine.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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I like the first definition
better. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We indeed are guilty of the crime
of crucifying the Son of God on that cross on Calvary so many years ago. It was
<i>our</i> sins that nailed Him to the tree.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Isaiah 53: 5 says, </span><b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“But
he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; ”</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FEkvNWpzNppWIz4Zun0IF80YJF1NhwCOCJhrNJGVF819d2HJMGTOrkhe-i0f21KReqENTEgT9W1eEuinFM6bfgg58Za7PkDDjBCGp7IgRGbXXBkltn2p8vOwpIlZrCN4dUnCSnaHwoEK/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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Once we enter a state of <b>repentance</b>, once we understand that we
cannot clean up our past and neither redeem ourselves by <i>ourselves</i>, once we realize that we need a Saviour who can clean up
the dross and filth from our lives, justify us, sanctify us, make us whole, and
finally make us right with <i>God</i>, we
need to <b>confess</b> our sin, <b>confess</b> our need for a Savior, <b>confess</b> that we are nothing by
ourselves, and that we need the governing care of Christ in our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Repentance</b> is incomplete by itself. It needs a <b>Confession</b> of one’s sins, and one’s faith in the Savior to be
complete.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, <b>Repentance</b> and <b>Confession</b>
are partners. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh_suWsxT9S1RNk3TwYDXom0_JS8X9cqdDS2ta-lsS3BKRcb_kSMraOeOJ1kmtYyKEwJyenBTONkhvX7ZfwXbrj5r1XUvwTqQwOAUMexoe2odKUfu1b_leNDdCbdImkF7o-18bIEkWvlH/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh_suWsxT9S1RNk3TwYDXom0_JS8X9cqdDS2ta-lsS3BKRcb_kSMraOeOJ1kmtYyKEwJyenBTONkhvX7ZfwXbrj5r1XUvwTqQwOAUMexoe2odKUfu1b_leNDdCbdImkF7o-18bIEkWvlH/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Repentance</b> takes place in the heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Confession</b> is the outward expression of a repentant heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let us take a look at this
scripture from <b>Lamentations 3: 40,41</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Let us search and try our ways,
and turn again to the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: cyan;">“Let us lift up our heart with
our hands unto God in the heavens.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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Here the Bible tells us to:-<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: yellow;"><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Search
our ways<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: yellow;"><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Try our
ways<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: yellow;"><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Turn
to God<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: yellow;"><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--></span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Lift
up our hearts with our hands to God</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The book of Lamentations is a
book of woe – it was the burden of the Lord for the children of Israel laid
upon the heart of one of His prophets – <i>Jeremiah</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In this chapter Jeremiah is heavy
hearted with the burden of the affliction and captivity of Israel. In the
spirit of intercession he acknowledges all the hardships that have come upon
them, at the same time recognizing the sin that brought it about. He then lists
these phases of repentance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>To
search our ways</b> means to <b>examine</b>
our lives, the paths we have taken, the decisions we have made, and see if we
have offended God through them in any way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>To
try our ways</b> means to <b>check</b> whether
or not our deeds and plans are/have been in line with God’s Word, and according
to His will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>To turn
<i>again</i> to God</b> obviously means that
at one point of time <b>we have turned <i>away</i> from him</b>. So, we would need to
turn <i>back</i> to Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999;">(What does the Bible mean by ‘ways’?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Ways</b>
in biblical parlance means <b>deeds, actions,
or manner of living.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999;">These
<b>ways</b> can be either physical or spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh-wDKixa3V8Jcmc9z_gGB38PxtVEJOAFX6mN7PXmZhhpksMJwWLFvfWzvzqVZH5x6nmDMsV6C-f3gEjKWhcaGmDLV-g20fl60JeSV1PaMKC6gQ1WTHsJ0Xueq4QMrDjacalQ18THaBQR/s1600/download+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh-wDKixa3V8Jcmc9z_gGB38PxtVEJOAFX6mN7PXmZhhpksMJwWLFvfWzvzqVZH5x6nmDMsV6C-f3gEjKWhcaGmDLV-g20fl60JeSV1PaMKC6gQ1WTHsJ0Xueq4QMrDjacalQ18THaBQR/s200/download+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999;">Our <b>physical ways</b> when not under the
authority of the Holy Spirit, fall prey to the sins of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;"><i>“For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” </i>(I John 2:16)</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZPfTSNyLIKGJF4fNoXPJpZmj8vga2vYdGItk94f_NsBENceOJvEtKkmmMSF9vH7F6v6v0QzJYEe7PeVOB3vrU9zQP_XxGCXCEBwIJLgbUvOGFCOu5rKtVmjHq3qXwTQ0fbcpu8HCfNcJ/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="180" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZPfTSNyLIKGJF4fNoXPJpZmj8vga2vYdGItk94f_NsBENceOJvEtKkmmMSF9vH7F6v6v0QzJYEe7PeVOB3vrU9zQP_XxGCXCEBwIJLgbUvOGFCOu5rKtVmjHq3qXwTQ0fbcpu8HCfNcJ/s320/images+%25288%2529.jpg" width="204" /></a><span style="color: #ea9999;">Our </span><b style="color: #ea9999;">spiritual ways</b><span style="color: #ea9999;"> when dimmed by the world
take on a form of religiousness, i.e. we use traditions and rituals to satisfy
our spiritual hunger and give ourselves and air of self –righteousness in what
we do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: cyan;"><i>“For
they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their
own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”</i> (Romans 10:3) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">John 14:6 says, <i>“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.”</i>) </span><span style="color: #e06666;">)</span><span style="color: #ea9999;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzVq_DkQ9YWq5iCMsIZqkLT6YfnEY0tYVB1wj058lhBYnKEMKaLj9dyykKYM17BGLUizHNOKMwaZdDd6OGucEu1jUWmFnHYdmwb0D2wKHoK1m2Ew0y_t6tF-dS8sHyx-o1zJPHPIIjFcl/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>In the course of our lives as
Christians, even those who have been born again, we start out with such gusto
and enthusiasm. After a while this enthusiasm dims as we are caught up in life’s
hullaballoo. It is when we shift our focus from our Lord to the things of the
world, and give worldly attractions or our own self weaknesses and indulgences
priority over our God, that we lose sight of Him. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzVq_DkQ9YWq5iCMsIZqkLT6YfnEY0tYVB1wj058lhBYnKEMKaLj9dyykKYM17BGLUizHNOKMwaZdDd6OGucEu1jUWmFnHYdmwb0D2wKHoK1m2Ew0y_t6tF-dS8sHyx-o1zJPHPIIjFcl/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzVq_DkQ9YWq5iCMsIZqkLT6YfnEY0tYVB1wj058lhBYnKEMKaLj9dyykKYM17BGLUizHNOKMwaZdDd6OGucEu1jUWmFnHYdmwb0D2wKHoK1m2Ew0y_t6tF-dS8sHyx-o1zJPHPIIjFcl/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is then that we feel ourselves
drawing away from Him, and are so negligent of our walk with Him, cocooned in
the comfort of our own worlds that we do not even make an effort to lessen the
distance, to bridge the gap, to stop ourselves from becoming totally shut off
from His presence.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDXgT7d7lSO7U-6bFIF0B_x9_7_XTi4a2lgBv7Yfz1SX-N6ns5cm2V_ghfrlymRN00xUmE2O3j4aJX1dMCMX-EAGHDuS6DfeNFjPGrpLvsajlcWi-KdoK7ke4wfoLMcglhxUYTqvGwwar/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDXgT7d7lSO7U-6bFIF0B_x9_7_XTi4a2lgBv7Yfz1SX-N6ns5cm2V_ghfrlymRN00xUmE2O3j4aJX1dMCMX-EAGHDuS6DfeNFjPGrpLvsajlcWi-KdoK7ke4wfoLMcglhxUYTqvGwwar/s320/download.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9mmqwylx93fGQCZp5j9DYvGjH7JF2Oq23PV7B1AlWExjRgWHnkyfFCUfXM5xfTeeWmTZCCRp2OXT4qRVl0tV-BEfICMWZJcSRer9DF1alTN_94Ni3uOeIwa_Xg_03nz8dO8ryKA_E-Q8/s1600/images+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>At this point we have begun to
trust and depend less on His ever wise counsel, and choose instead to follow
our own, albeit we may sometime go down the wrong road. Still, to admit that we
are weak and in need of strength, or are fearful and in need of courage, or are
lost and in need of direction, is out of the question.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So we make our own plans, frame
our own ambitions, take our own decisions, and choose our own paths, God’s will
or not. We are now the masters of our own destinies, the captains of our own
ships. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have forgotten to search and <i>try</i> our ways before the Lord, forgotten
to go to Him for <i>guidance</i> and help.
We have adopted <i>an ‘I can do fine by
myself’</i> attitude. And it’s working out great for us so far…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9mmqwylx93fGQCZp5j9DYvGjH7JF2Oq23PV7B1AlWExjRgWHnkyfFCUfXM5xfTeeWmTZCCRp2OXT4qRVl0tV-BEfICMWZJcSRer9DF1alTN_94Ni3uOeIwa_Xg_03nz8dO8ryKA_E-Q8/s1600/images+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="287" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9mmqwylx93fGQCZp5j9DYvGjH7JF2Oq23PV7B1AlWExjRgWHnkyfFCUfXM5xfTeeWmTZCCRp2OXT4qRVl0tV-BEfICMWZJcSRer9DF1alTN_94Ni3uOeIwa_Xg_03nz8dO8ryKA_E-Q8/s320/images+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have turned away from God. We
do not recognize His worth as a counsellor, a confidant, a guide. The first
love that we had for Him has died down. Oh yes, we still carry it deep down in
the bottom recesses of our hearts, but that love is no more violently
passionate. It has ebbed to an irregular memory.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTZdQRNFJBspWXQp4MZVwXqiHxOPuzOedOcpMCyykFmsvumT7C7v-haTEH7Dj5ii4GnJG4A88TBWF1kACCBny6vRRhoV9RkSK6k4B6KoWH3ejhFr14v4I6qFlVMEkO4lXgEQ8Xd_VnXxO/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTZdQRNFJBspWXQp4MZVwXqiHxOPuzOedOcpMCyykFmsvumT7C7v-haTEH7Dj5ii4GnJG4A88TBWF1kACCBny6vRRhoV9RkSK6k4B6KoWH3ejhFr14v4I6qFlVMEkO4lXgEQ8Xd_VnXxO/s320/download.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;"></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r7eoLJFbElJ32eR1FAvCPGIeK9snxmzRW49pQ7v5OwX6wYVLftb3Lht_a9XEO1m6GhNIj-_oySXaQ6SrRQGcB3oj0UPwF5q_NXErk5FSV46dK-vw05jytBKirvs8lJy89bRWTDiAuohp/s1600/images+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="163" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r7eoLJFbElJ32eR1FAvCPGIeK9snxmzRW49pQ7v5OwX6wYVLftb3Lht_a9XEO1m6GhNIj-_oySXaQ6SrRQGcB3oj0UPwF5q_NXErk5FSV46dK-vw05jytBKirvs8lJy89bRWTDiAuohp/s200/images+%25286%2529.jpg" width="105" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r7eoLJFbElJ32eR1FAvCPGIeK9snxmzRW49pQ7v5OwX6wYVLftb3Lht_a9XEO1m6GhNIj-_oySXaQ6SrRQGcB3oj0UPwF5q_NXErk5FSV46dK-vw05jytBKirvs8lJy89bRWTDiAuohp/s1600/images+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>So to <b>turn <i>again</i></b> warrants a 180
degree head tilt. We have to look back<i>,
once again</i>, to the source of our original courage, strength, and
confidence. We have to re-love, re-depend, re-ask for all that has gone
missing. It is only when the hard times come that <i>some</i> of us <b>turn back.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once we <b>turn back</b> to God in repentance and with a true confession, the next
step is easy:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Lifting
up our hearts with our hands to God</b> means, we have come back, we have
acknowledged our wrongs, we have reconciled with our Maker, He has forgiven us,
and we can now give Him back the love that He expects of us without the shadows
of guilt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdHWVWMhyphenhyphenCVcQIMYIGl_3zatUUxvC7KFGq90N-StXxRqZFQfMPCUucc-DBxggPl8ja27al5xM5jnDc93jGLSfFiwV2CVg04E9jgfIqAneJUQQYhj9e6XW0aSMesT1s2DjZrSgw6rcrbkW/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdHWVWMhyphenhyphenCVcQIMYIGl_3zatUUxvC7KFGq90N-StXxRqZFQfMPCUucc-DBxggPl8ja27al5xM5jnDc93jGLSfFiwV2CVg04E9jgfIqAneJUQQYhj9e6XW0aSMesT1s2DjZrSgw6rcrbkW/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ga89VkUCaDP-fXiVwSwTdSoinFhyphenhyphens6AbJDCxOK3wN7WcDAx0k_6jV4mK6VpiKShzgyt48sn6w06OECJ7Q6d8L-Gw0rCzIWxhw60RSLJYov1uFHkd0k0Sa1leq8pYqw2Ctjrjm5Gfb74d/s1600/images+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="246" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ga89VkUCaDP-fXiVwSwTdSoinFhyphenhyphens6AbJDCxOK3wN7WcDAx0k_6jV4mK6VpiKShzgyt48sn6w06OECJ7Q6d8L-Gw0rCzIWxhw60RSLJYov1uFHkd0k0Sa1leq8pYqw2Ctjrjm5Gfb74d/s200/images+%25287%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>Notice the wording in the above
verse of scripture: <span style="color: cyan;"><i><b>“Lift up our hearts with our hands to God”.</b></i></span> Not just lift
up our hearts, but lift up our hearts <i>with</i>
our hands, OR Lift up our hearts <i>along
with</i> our hands to God. This means we have to <i>give</i> our <b>lives</b> to God <i>voluntarily, whole heartedly, with all our
being, by ourselves. </i>Once offer our hearts to God, our hearts stay hidden in
Him, but our hands will still be outstretched overhead towards Him as a loving
statement of our unending dependence on Him as our Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>Pastor Shadrach K. Joseph</b></i></div>
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Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07011052114024024719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135409057321301252.post-34089949774814929362014-10-29T07:50:00.013-07:002024-03-08T12:22:16.910-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b>Read our Reports on RLM's recent Prophetic Outreach</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b>in Coorg, Karnataka - Feb 2024</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="https://rhemalifeministrycbe.blogspot.com/p/karnataka-coorg-2nd-to-5th-february.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b>Read our Reports on RLM's recent Prophetic Outreach</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b>in Masinagudi, The Nilgiris - 2024</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://rhemalifeministrycbe.blogspot.com/p/ketti.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></b></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;">Read our report on RLM's </span></b><b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;">Trichy Church Meeting - Jan 2024</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="https://rhemalifeministrycbe.blogspot.com/p/tamil-nadu-special-meetings.html">Click here</a></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b>BAPTISM pictures updated</b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="https://rhemalifeministrycbe.blogspot.com/p/baptism-ser.html">Click here to view</a></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: black; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b>NIGHT VISION</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_EkLshhiJga8i-Q0i9-xkvb-thEO_Q0Bes_W3sh6caZCRnhcrbsbjH7oxc3S9JFkAXa5-5-DEGH8htu-gYfak-rM5iT4Bms06jOf_gB_Rf_rdiqrZ_HKg2FdWjhNapZBmMmv7wmf7AID/s1600/download+(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_EkLshhiJga8i-Q0i9-xkvb-thEO_Q0Bes_W3sh6caZCRnhcrbsbjH7oxc3S9JFkAXa5-5-DEGH8htu-gYfak-rM5iT4Bms06jOf_gB_Rf_rdiqrZ_HKg2FdWjhNapZBmMmv7wmf7AID/s1600/download+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrUesj93vc74FbD4VztiV_U4tW2Rb2gdDLhmmc9qvnxWEV8zx1TQ" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrUesj93vc74FbD4VztiV_U4tW2Rb2gdDLhmmc9qvnxWEV8zx1TQ" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.7273px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;">Revelation 6:8</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is an age of darkness - the age when the pale horse rider dominates, an age of masks and illusion, when the world system as we know it, is soon to come crashing down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:2)</span></span></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4xPQslKbWBlQV9JPNdNDFrOZszHAFvkxYxPQ4bBEqFh4RRI3WWg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4xPQslKbWBlQV9JPNdNDFrOZszHAFvkxYxPQ4bBEqFh4RRI3WWg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Now as the scripture says here,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">(a) darkness shall cover the earth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(b) gross darkness the people</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first is natural, the second is spiritual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The darkness covers the earth - the physical realm. This darkness sweeps over our planet in the form of wars, economic breakdown, disease, famine, pestilence, and the natural disasters that we see and hear about in the media day in and day out - all that affects the earth and the atmosphere around it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gross darkness the people - the spiritual realm. This gross darkness is deadlier than the physical attack on our world. It is the spiritual blindness that has encompassed the people. It manifests in the form of immorality, crime, lukewarmness, godlessness, worldliness entering the church, an unconsciousness of the times and signs of the Lord's coming, defiance of the authority of God's Word, and a determination to turn one's back on the message of reconciliation that Christ died to give us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu8pItuqe5Nc6v0B5juodjNjhSBl7ukCjCxfv27U5hPCto6k4DYCPKV0azcDgz-ncgw4xAL_LeTLTRycfoAkIhgIQq5JZkOzcRvkB_qVznBYWg3btXDXhNmzXo5uX-oF-ra6_YyWsMBHM/s1600/images+(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu8pItuqe5Nc6v0B5juodjNjhSBl7ukCjCxfv27U5hPCto6k4DYCPKV0azcDgz-ncgw4xAL_LeTLTRycfoAkIhgIQq5JZkOzcRvkB_qVznBYWg3btXDXhNmzXo5uX-oF-ra6_YyWsMBHM/s1600/images+(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now we read in Genesis, the Lord separated the light from the darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b><i>And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night....(Genesis 1: 3-5)</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQc9zVYDtinSZb4LJjsso3ody8VqrLrooNW3fWeGlDHeypGZtYElg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQc9zVYDtinSZb4LJjsso3ody8VqrLrooNW3fWeGlDHeypGZtYElg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The darkness was a prevailing condition, but the light was spoken into existence. And once God created the light, he had to separate it from the darkness. In the same way today, the Lord is separating His children from the works of darkness of this world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What we need today is Night Vision - the ability to see clearly, even in the pitch dark. We get this night vision through the prophetic Word of God.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b><i>We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (II Pet 1:19)</i></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQRqbSLu8G8ONOeVCK8hk615IzUXa8mPQGMGt6tn_CcWFxYRew3YCi-ASLh9pLaRDbc9jaivLVTthC8wojWmJU_zoeXyv-_KBd8FSE-BZXH6BxJ2te1sv1TX_kapJRqL1-HkY-q2rpzJo/s1600/download+(5).jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQRqbSLu8G8ONOeVCK8hk615IzUXa8mPQGMGt6tn_CcWFxYRew3YCi-ASLh9pLaRDbc9jaivLVTthC8wojWmJU_zoeXyv-_KBd8FSE-BZXH6BxJ2te1sv1TX_kapJRqL1-HkY-q2rpzJo/s1600/download+(5).jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All through the ages, there have been a set of people who have accepted and held on to the prophetic word or proclamation for their times, to escape the prevailing darkness, to the salvation of their souls.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQRqbSLu8G8ONOeVCK8hk615IzUXa8mPQGMGt6tn_CcWFxYRew3YCi-ASLh9pLaRDbc9jaivLVTthC8wojWmJU_zoeXyv-_KBd8FSE-BZXH6BxJ2te1sv1TX_kapJRqL1-HkY-q2rpzJo/s1600/download+(5).jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQRqbSLu8G8ONOeVCK8hk615IzUXa8mPQGMGt6tn_CcWFxYRew3YCi-ASLh9pLaRDbc9jaivLVTthC8wojWmJU_zoeXyv-_KBd8FSE-BZXH6BxJ2te1sv1TX_kapJRqL1-HkY-q2rpzJo/s1600/download+(5).jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a 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style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This is the night vision that we need in our days. And how do we obtain it? My dear brethren, our night vision is the prophetic light of God poured into our </span><span style="font-size: large;">hearts through the Holy Spirit, which enables us to see clearly, tread carefully, and fight our spiritual battles against the forces of spiritual darkness better.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>shew you things to come</u></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>.</u> (John 16:13)</span></i></b></span><br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNjJVyHC9gDnpOftWo_9g1hgcro3UJKnfK2FuFzy5Brc3XT2Ne" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNjJVyHC9gDnpOftWo_9g1hgcro3UJKnfK2FuFzy5Brc3XT2Ne" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNjJVyHC9gDnpOftWo_9g1hgcro3UJKnfK2FuFzy5Brc3XT2Ne" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what Peter refers to as a light that shineth in a dark place. When we are in obedience to the Word of God, and in acceptance of His prophetic vision, we have light in our camp. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths. This will carry us forward through the darkness until the day dawn, that is until the church receives the resurrection power of Christ, and the day star arise in your hearts which speaks about the coming of our Lord in power and glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The christians of this Laodecian age are in a state of perpetual lukewarmness.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b><i>I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Rev 3: 15, 16)</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPlJPFn-PXtgauHUBCXcP1Y4MFsDUX7FJP0mGJLJJhQVJYBLOwK4U0KUUZxN6JlM9b92FccIBPYhzQOUicAbqEcXDtcPSAm7bR2Eu-GRLs_WTXh6OCt0mVdvpzY3pXKAHHHIdMgZlzmr/s1600/images+(5).jpg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPlJPFn-PXtgauHUBCXcP1Y4MFsDUX7FJP0mGJLJJhQVJYBLOwK4U0KUUZxN6JlM9b92FccIBPYhzQOUicAbqEcXDtcPSAm7bR2Eu-GRLs_WTXh6OCt0mVdvpzY3pXKAHHHIdMgZlzmr/s1600/images+(5).jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why is this so? It is because they have deviated from the foundational Apostolic truths and chosen instead to follow their own intellect and man-made traditions and dogmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The early church was not so. The book of Acts says of those first believers:</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><b><i>And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2: 42)</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and also as is recorded by Paul:</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><i><b>And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesisans 2:20)</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The purpose of this blog is to usher in an awareness of the times we are living in, the signs of the coming of our Lord, the prophecies that have been and are yet to be fulfilled in this age, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also seek to bring about a full consciousness of the foundational truths as laid down by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, their way of life, their sacrifice, their burden for lost souls as opposed to today's garish displays of christian pomp and luxury, shameless misrepresentation of the Word, and downright neglect of the sheep of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My prayer is that this small effort on our part to light up a corner, and to save a soul groping in spiritual darkness, may give you that Night Vision. I pray that this blog may help you to see the things that are to take place in our times, in our world, before our very eyes, before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Bride; and in doing so may convict you that you need to have light in your camp to flee from the destruction to come.</span><br />
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