tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373147692024-02-06T22:26:19.260-05:00Kingdom MindedWelcome to the inner workings of my mind...this is where I comment on Life, God, Family, Growing Up, Current Events and whatever else comes to mind. So join me on my journey and please leave a comment on anything that strikes a chord with you. Enjoy!Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-87645112040064815052017-08-11T14:18:00.003-04:002017-10-28T00:13:43.890-04:00Believe, Apply and Act<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would like to speak to you today about one of my favorite
subjects, FAITH.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have found, that no matter when or how often I speak on the
subject of Faith, it is ALWAYS a relevant topic for people. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why is that?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is because we are always going through <i>something</i> that
requires us to choose between trusting God and His Promises, or falling into an
emotional mess, despair, depression, anger...etc.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Lord spoke to me one day with this idea:</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"My Promises are NOT merely statements of
OBSERVATION." </span></b><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In other words, when we read the Scriptures and find a Promise
that God makes to us, it is not a <i>given</i>, that we find this Promise
as true in our lives. Actually, most of the time, we may find our
"reality" is in direct conflict with the Truth of that Scripture.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can you relate?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is an example: </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 37:25 NLT</span></b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once I was young, and now I am old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Yet <b>I have never seen</b> the
godly abandoned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> or <b>their children begging for
bread</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Promise from the Lord that is implied here, is that the
Children of the Righteous will Never have to Beg for Bread.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Does this mean that no Christian in the history of the world has
ever begged for bread?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here's another example: </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 30:5b NLT</span></b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weeping may last through the night,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> but joy comes with the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So after a night of lamenting and sadness, if you wake up happy,
you say, "oh I guess the Bible is true!" However, if you wake up
still sad the Bible is false???</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What about healing scriptures?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What about scriptures that Promise: Joy, Peace, Blessing,
Abundance, the Holy Spirit, Power, Spiritual Authority, Signs following those
who believe...this list can go on and on.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The question is: If we OBSERVE these Promises manifesting in our
lives, does it make the Scriptural Promises of God true, and if we do not
OBSERVE these, is the Scripture no longer relevant?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think this example may shed light on the subject:</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 John 2:2 NLT</span></b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He himself [Jesus] is the sacrifice that atones for our sins -
and not only our sins but <b>the sins of all the world.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So Jesus' sacrifice atoned or paid for the Sins of the WHOLE
WORLD! Praise the Lord!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Does this mean EVERYONE is going to Heaven?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Christians who know our Bibles, we understand this is not the
case. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what is the factor that makes the difference for a Promise of
God to become reality in our lives?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FAITH!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MANY great things are Promised to us in the Bible, however, few
if any, are automatic. No. You must grab hold of the Promise and obtain the
Promise by Faith! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I has about 13 years old, I came running down the stairs in
my house. I was barefoot. At the bottom of the stairway, as you make the turn
into the living room, sat my mother's sewing-table.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of you are cringing already!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I flew around the corner, my bare foot came in direct contact
with the leg of her sewing-table at high velocity! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Actually, the wooden table leg which was square in shape, split
right between my two smallest toes on my right foot.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The pain was immediate, and immense!!! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A glorious involuntary howl erupted from my lungs for my whole
neighborhood to hear! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If that wasn't bad enough, after running and dancing across the
living room into my parents bedroom and flopping on their bed, when I finally
looked at my foot, my pinky toe was sticking straight out, perpendicular to my
foot!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then I let out a shriek of abhorrence at the freakish
site! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When my father finally got me calmed down, while gently praying,
he simply pushed my pinky toe straight and back in line with the others like it
was no big thing...and it was better! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I never had a problem with it after that. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So was Psalm 91 not true?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 91:11-12 NIV</span></b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11 For he will command his angels concerning
you to guard you in all your ways;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12 they will lift you up in their hands, <b>so that
you will not strike your foot against a stone.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You might think, well the sewing-table was Wood not Stone. Ha!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The point of this Promise is that God's Angels will protect us,
even in the simple things like stubbing your toe!</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I learned two things here. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would not know the benefit of the Promise if I didn't
know the alternative</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had not appropriated or applied that Promise to my life
yet</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So if you are unaware of God's Promise or choose not to Believe,
Apply and Act on that Promise...you will not walk in that Truth. </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Isn't that true of our Salvation?</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus died for the Sins of the WHOLE WORLD, yet only those who
Believe, Apply and Act on the Promise come to Salvation.</span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I encourage you, take what belongs to you today. Find His
Promise in the Bible for your situation. Read it. Think on it. Meditate on it.
Speak it. Act on it! </span><span style="font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joshua 1:8 NIV</span></b><span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fb88b; font-family: "Josefin Sans"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep this Book of the Law [Scripture] <b>always on your
lips; meditate on it day and night</b>, so that you may
be careful <b>to do</b> everything written in it. <b>Then</b> you
will be prosperous and successful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-13552255897668209032017-07-27T12:38:00.003-04:002017-07-27T12:39:52.803-04:00Stand Firm<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The fact of the matter is, we</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><em style="font-size: 11pt;">all</em><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">face trials. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">No matter how much you grow in the Lord, no matter how spiritually mature you become, you <em>will</em> face trials...and perhaps even more so as you grow in the Kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Here is the Scripture:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<div _mce_style="color: #3366ff;" style="color: #3366ff;">
<strong>Isaiah 7:9b NLT</strong> - Unless your Faith is Firm, I [God] cannot make you stand Firm.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow. Meditate on that for a moment.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Some might think, "...but I thought God could do <em>anything! </em>What does He mean, He<em> cannot</em>make us stand firm??"</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is God's Word, and that is what He said. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't analyze. Don't try to force it into your doctrines and understandings of God's nature...take it at face value.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We, being Firm in our Faith, has a great deal to do with God's Power being evident in our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is <em>our</em> part, and there is God's part. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Here is the context of this scripture:</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Israel at this time had split into two Kingdoms...the Northern Kingdom was still called "Israel". </span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">T<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">he Southern Kingdom was called, "Judah."</span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Israel and Syria had allied together and planned to invade Judah, removing Ahaz as King and installing their own. News of this caused the hearts of the people of Judah to "shake as the trees of the forest are shaken in the wind."</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, the Lord sent the Prophet Isaiah with a Word for King Ahaz.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div _mce_style="color: #3366ff;" style="color: #3366ff;">
<strong>Isaiah 7:7-9 NLT</strong> - But this is what the Sovereign Lord says:</div>
<div _mce_style="color: #3366ff;" style="color: #3366ff;">
"<strong>This invasion will never happen;</strong><br />
<strong> it will never take place;</strong><br />
8 for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed.<br />
9 Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah.<br />
<div _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<strong>Unless your Faith is Firm,</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<strong> I <em>cannot</em> make you stand Firm."</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Some of us need to hear that same Word today!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Enemy's attempted invasion into your life will be an utter failure as we stand firm in our faith!</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But we must do our part! Stand Firm!</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't let the enemy defeat you with fear!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't let the enemy steal your Joy! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't let the enemy steal your Peace!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't believe his lies and accusations!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You are forgiven, redeemed, bought with a price, healed, cared for, made righteous, and a son or daughter of the Most High God! </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I heard this great quote today:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #a65bcb; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #a65bcb; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
"How would you treat a <em>friend</em> that lied to you as often as your fears do?"</div>
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- Jack W. Hayford</div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If you are willing to tolerate the devil and his lies, your faith will be weak, and you will remain in fear and defeat.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Or...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You can stand Firm today on God's Word and His Promises and move into a position of Victory!</span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Stand Firm!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-26571990169571417462017-07-06T16:18:00.002-04:002017-07-06T22:05:34.228-04:00Title & Position<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I once heard a woman I knew years ago who held a management position with CITI Bank say, "there are 2 motivators to make a good employee. Either pay them more, or give them an important Title."</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That really jumped out at me as I considered the Pride of mankind. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The idea was if an employee feels he is important, a VIP, someone others had to submit to, then he would do a good job. </span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That is so empty. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Everyone wants to feel appreciated and loved. However, if one's drive is about how "great they are" or their level of authority over others...they are putting themselves in a really bad place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The scriptures say in James 4:6 and Proverbs 3:34:</span></div>
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"God Resists the Proud,</div>
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But gives Grace to the Humble."</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Do you remember the story of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments up on Mount Sinai? While the people of Israel waited at the bottom of the mountain for Moses to return they grew fearful and impatient.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now God had made Aaron, Moses' brother, the first High Priest of Israel. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Although God gave him Title and Position of High Priest, that did not automatically make him a great High Priest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Watch what he does here:</span></div>
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<strong>Exodus 32:1-6</strong></div>
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When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. "Come on," they said, "make us some gods who can lead us. We don't know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt."</div>
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2 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>So Aaron said</strong></span>, "Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me."</div>
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3 All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf.</strong></span> When the people saw it, they exclaimed, "O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!"</div>
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5 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf.</strong></span> <strong>Then he announced, "Tomorrow will be a festival <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to the Lord!"</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">WHAT?!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"To the LORD??!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It gets worse. God tells Moses what is happening with the people. When he gets to the bottom of the mountain he is so angry he smashes the 2 Tablets that God had written upon.</span></div>
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21 Finally, he turned to Aaron and demanded, "What did these people do to you to make you bring such terrible sin upon them?"</div>
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22 "Don't get so upset, my lord," Aaron replied. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>"You yourself know how evil these people are.</strong></span> 23 They said to me, 'Make us gods who will lead us. We don't know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.' 24 So I told them, 'Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.' When they brought it to me, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>I simply threw it into the fire-and out came this calf!"</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We see Aaron's lack of integrity here. He blame-shifts onto the people, then straight up lies to Moses about how the Calf came to be, as if it were some supernatural phenomenon. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Is he so different from people today?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We are all given opportunities to walk in Truth and Integrity or to Compromise. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Too often we are chasing promotion and elevation, rather than working on our character and allowing God to lift us up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So many times people get a promotion but do not have what is called, "Staying-Power." They cannot hold onto the higher position because they have not grown enough to maintain it, or their thinking is still that of the previous level.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I can't help but always remember the story of Joseph. Called revealed His plan for Joseph to rule since he was a teenager. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Joseph was born free, but sold into slavery at age 17. He was then a slave for 11 years in Potiphar's house. Then thrown into Prison for 2 more years. This makes a total of 13 years as slave or prisoner before Pharaoh makes him the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt at age 30!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Contrast Joseph's mindset with Aaron's. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Joseph knew he was called to rule. Even Slavery and Prison could not deter him from walking in Integrity and Truth. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Aaron on the other hand, lived his whole life as a Slave. He never knew freedom, nor the responsibility and integrity needed to steward freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Title and Position did not deter him from walking in a LACK of Integrity and a LACK of Truth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jesus taught us a superior way of thinking when it comes to Title & Position<span style="font-size: 11pt;">:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Luke 22:27</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Focus on Serving others and allow God to choose when and what He will promote you to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is God's Command and Promise to us:</span></div>
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<strong>James 4:10</strong></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Humble yourselves</strong></span> before the Lord, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>He will lift</strong></span> you up in honor.</div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-40001408915764733022017-06-28T15:09:00.004-04:002017-06-28T15:17:27.917-04:00Milestones<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><strong style="font-size: 11pt;">Milestone</strong><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">is defined as:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">1. A stone setup beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular destination.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2. A significant Event or Stage in the Life, P</span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">rogress</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, Development of a person, nation, etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">If you are like me, it is important to have a sense of moving forward, accomplishing goals, and seeing progress in your life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Juli and I reached a major Milestone in our lives yesterday...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>25 Years in Marriage!!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Wow. I am amazed myself. What a wonderful wife God has blessed me with to walk this life together. She is such a Godly Woman and still takes my breath away. I am excited to experience the next 25 years together!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I really believe reaching Milestones is a God-given desire He places in each of us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Jesus, our model and standard, was Goal-Oriented when He walked this Earth. He came on a Mission and would not be deterred from accomplishing what He was sent to do!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>Hebrews 12:2 NKJV</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: blue;">Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.</span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He is not only the author, (the designer, instigator, architect, creator) of our Faith. He is the one to see us through TO THE FINISH! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">1 Samuel 7 relates a story of Isreal coming out of a season of transition and even doubt, into a moment of great Victory! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">The Arc of the Covenant, that golden box that contained the 10 Commandments, whose lid was called the Mercy Seat, had been stolen by the Philistines. This Arc was the core piece of Israel's worship. God Himself sat upon the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. The Blood of the Yearly Atoning Sacrifice was sprinkled on this box, appealing to God's Mercy to cover the sins of Israel for that year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Now, it was in the Enemy's hands! And not just for a week or two...but for 7 months! Then upon receiving it back, 70 Israelites opened it up to look inside and died! So they put it in storage for the next 20 YEARS!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">The people became depressed believing God had abandoned His people. Yet, the truth was, God's People abandoned Him to worship idols. That is why this whole problem came about!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Here is what happened:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>1 Samuel 7:3-11 NLT</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, "If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>obey him alone</strong></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">; </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>then he will rescue you</strong></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"> from the Philistines." 4 So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>only</strong></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"> the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">5 Then Samuel told them, "Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you." 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-decoration: underline;">They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"> (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel's judge.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: blue;">7 When the Philistine rulers heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpah, they mobilized their army and advanced. The Israelites were badly frightened when they learned that the Philistines were approaching. 8 "Don't stop pleading with the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines!" they begged Samuel. 9 So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the Lord as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: blue;">10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 11 The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">What a Victory from an impossible situation!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Look what Samuel did next:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>1 Samuel 7:12 NLT</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah & Jeshanah. </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">He named it Ebenezer (which means "the Stone of Help"), for he said, "Up to this point the </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"> has helped us!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Along the Journey of our Spiritual Life it is good to hit Milestones that encourage us to KEEP GOING!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Markers like: </span></div>
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<ul><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">
<li>Salvation</li>
<li>Baptism</li>
<li>Victories over sin</li>
<li>Moments of Healing & Deliverance </li>
<li>Moments of stepping out in Obedience</li>
<li>Overcoming Obstacles</li>
<li>Experiencing Break-Throughs as we walk by Faith</li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">All of these Milestones are encouragements that we can look back upon as we face the next challenges life brings.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">So don't be discouraged today! Don't give up!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Victory is yours!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>Philippians 3:13b-14 NKJV</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: blue;">13b ...Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.</span></span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-72192999895549181772017-06-01T13:28:00.003-04:002017-06-01T13:31:45.357-04:00Judah My Bow. Ephraim My Arrow.<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Last week in our Church's eNewsletter I sent a Prophetic Word that spoke about <strong>Double Portion Acceleration</strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We read it again at our Saturday Morning Prayer gathering and prayed more into it for LifeTree Fellowship and the Congregation. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As we were praying the Holy Spirit reminded me of a scripture which I looked up and read to the intercessors. </span></div>
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<strong>Zechariah 9:13-14 (NKJV) </strong></div>
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<strong>13 </strong>For I have bent <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Judah, My Bow</span>,<br />
Fitted the bow with <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Ephraim</span>,<br />
And raised up your sons, O Zion,<br />
Against your sons, O Greece,<br />
And made you like the <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Sword</span> of a <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Mighty Man</span>.”</div>
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<strong>14 </strong>Then the Lord will be seen Over Them,<br />
And <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">His Arrow</span> will go forth like <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">LIGHTNING</span>.<br />
The Lord God will blow the <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Trumpet</span>,<br />
And go with <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Whirlwinds</span> from the south.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Whenever we read the Words of the Old Testament Prophets we must realize, though they had a literal meaning for the people of that day, they also carry Spiritual significance for God's People today! Especially when the Holy Spirit highlights a scripture in a particular Season we are going through.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Lord gave me an interpretation of this scripture for us to understand what He is saying to us through His Word:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Judah = this name means, PRAISE </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Ephraim = meaning, DOUBLE FRUITFULNESS </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sword = Word of God </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Mighty Man = Jesus </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Arrow = again, Ephraim (double fruitfulness) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Lighting = ACCELERATION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Trumpet = His Alarm or Signal for Battle </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Whirlwind = brings God's judgement for the enemy and Blessing for His people</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Are you getting this?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We are surely in a Time of Battle. There is a Holy Shaking in our World and in many of our Lives. (</span><a _mce_href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A25-29&version=NKJV" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A25-29&version=NKJV" linktype="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">Hebrews 12:25-29</a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The way to Victory is through the Lord's Bow...giving PRAISE to the Lord!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You may want to go for a drive, turn on your favorite Worship Music and Shout HALLELUJAH to the Lord!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This releases His Arrow of DOUBLE FRUITFULNESS in our lives!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Sword of the Mighty Man is obviously the Power of God's Word in this Season as we War for the Promises of God from a position of Ownership! Reading...Speaking...and Meditating on the Word of God, the Scriptures, His Promises!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God then sounds the Alarm for Battle against our Enemy, the devil and his cohorts, as the LORD is seen "over us" His people as His Arrow flies against the enemy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Result is a Whirlwind! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Many times in prophetic language of scripture, the Whirlwind is seen to bring Judgement on the Enemies of God and Blessing or Deliverance to the People of God! (</span><a _mce_href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Whirlwinds" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Whirlwinds" linktype="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">Whirlwind Scriptures</a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">Heavenly Father, we stand in Faith on Your WORD as we PRAISE YOU to bring us the Victory in this Season of Acceleration and Shaking!</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-59828864057570576662017-05-25T18:36:00.003-04:002017-05-25T18:38:28.024-04:00Resistance <div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">Are you feeling any RESISTANCE in your life?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Resistance = opposition, struggle, obstruction, a barrier, something holding you back</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Resistance is experienced when there is MOVEMENT.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Have you ever tried to run in water? There is no Resistance until you try to Move. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Holy Spirit is <em>always</em> moving. His desire is to Move in our lives and for us to follow where He leads. As we begin to grow in Relationship with Jesus and obey His Word (Scripture) we most certainly will encounter Resistance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The greater the work the Lord wants to accomplish in you, the greater the Resistance often will be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The key is to keep our Identity in Christ, not focusing on our own abilities and plans. </span></div>
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<strong>Acts 17:28a</strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">For <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">in Him</span> we live and MOVE and exist.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In Him, in Jesus, we live and Move.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If you are truly in Him, and He is in you, the Resistance is because you are Moving!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Expect it! Look for it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is in the Resistance that we are Strengthened!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Have you ever lifted weights before? Muscle and strength is forged through the Resistance!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now consider this: If God is working in your life through His Word being founded in your heart, and the Holy Spirit has begun Moving in your life, who is causing the Resistance?</span></div>
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<strong>1 Peter 5:8</strong></div>
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Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We sometimes think, <em>If I am a Christian, no troubles will come my way.</em> This is not what the Bible teaches. We must heed this warning to Stay Alert!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In fact, we are told to turn the Resistance on to the devil as he tries to drag us down!</span></div>
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<strong>James 4:7</strong></div>
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Therefore submit to God. <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Resist the devil</span> and he will flee from you.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The first key here is to Submit yourself to God. This means to give in, to yield to, to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus in your life. If we are submitted to God, we are choosing to obey His Word, rather than fall into the devil's plan for our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">That is how we resist him. Then the scripture promises this will send the devil fleeing from us! Running scared!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">An un-submitted, disobedient child of God will not see victory in his life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So get into the Scriptures today. Stand on His Word and Resist the Enemy. In time, you <em>will</em>see Victory.</span></div>
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<strong>1 John 5:4</strong></div>
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For <u>every child of God defeats this evil world</u>, and we achieve this Victory through our Faith.</div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-17181616947293127072017-05-12T15:09:00.002-04:002017-05-25T18:35:28.016-04:00Be Still<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The other night as I was lying in bed, the Lord spoke to me about the prophet Elijah.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In 1 Kings 18 Elijah has one of the greatest victories over evil in a spiritual battle and confrontation with the so-called prophets of Baal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One Prophet of Yahweh vs. 450 prophets of Baal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The CONTEST: Whose God can send Fire from Heaven to burn the Sacrifice?</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Victory: Elijah</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is an amazing story as Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal. You should read it today!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If that were not enough, he then prophesies to the king that a 3-1/2 Year drought will now end with a great rain storm.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Victory: Elijah</span></strong></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />But Wait! There's more!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He then runs 15 Miles from Mount Carmel to Jezreel FASTER than the king's horse and chariot!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Victory: Elijah</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Then we turn the page...to chapter 19.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The king tells his infamous wife, Queen Jezebel, that all her prophets were defeated and executed by Elijah. She is so furious she issues a Death Warrant on Elijah.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Elijah turns and runs for his life!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He finds himself in the wilderness. The Bible says in 1 Kings 19:4,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, </span><span style="color: blue;">Lord</span><span style="color: blue;">, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wait a second. Isn't this Mr. Victory we are talking about? He just scored a</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><a alt="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hat-trick" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yv7WHU1eTSdtHjeyUeR7sBt1bPxO7NwwPNC1GCtmkdZlhxDUp5ye0eKW2i5zneNG3GaD9AC-NMziZUfHYxoZq25RJkzUzF-4NMRr5wrNzCIU4G59Azhc5vka4eU5T7wtbJVetqESfeHBdweDXjTK4wggo1wJAkGSumiR31IBD86TjehIHlCLBFVwNoV3jEYb&c=4RGrlXZRCy_c0w3rS-8QwEue94OjT3c_Kxj2ohL1ZOI4K1Lh8ajsww==&ch=EE6db9LfQUl39Whxdnl_EGV0T408wtmYJht-t9sQyYAJhl4aWPyH8Q==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00d7fb; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">Hat-trick</a><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">on the devil! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now he's running scared and wants to die?!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Can you relate? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We go through times of God's blessing in our lives that can be quite amazing...but eventually challenges do arise. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I can imagine Elijah's victories, though exhilarating, left him drained and weary. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Good News is that God was not going to leave Elijah in that state. He did not bring Elijah that far to leave him now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">An Angel came and ministered to him, feeding him and giving him a drink. This food was supernatural as he did not have to eat or drink again for 40 days! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He journeyed all the way to Mount Horeb, also known as, Mount Sinai, where Moses had received the 10 Commandments!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There he had another supernatural experience. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Lord asked him,</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">"What are you doing here Elijah?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Elijah replied,</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> <span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">"I have been very zealous for the </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Lord</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;"> God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When we feel overwhelmed in life, we have a tendency to isolate ourselves from others and paint a picture of reality in our minds that is often exaggerated. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">11 Then God said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">but the Lord was not in the wind; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">and after the wind an earthquake,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">but the Lord was not in the earthquake; </span></div>
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</span><span style="color: blue;">12 and after the earthquake a fire,<br />but the Lord was not in the fire; </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">and after the fire, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>a still small voice</strong></span>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Again the Lord asks what Elijah is doing there. Elijah answers again with the same words of defeat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, God was not finished with Elijah! He gave him new direction and encouraged him that Elijah was NOT ALONE. There were actually 7,000 others still faithful to Yahweh!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Elijah went on to defeat his enemy, Queen Jezebel. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Lord wants to bring us to Victory over our enemies as well! (Not people, but spiritual victory over our true enemy, the devil).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">King David had written this Psalm; as I was meditating on the story of Elijah, I felt I received a new personal revelation about it.</span></div>
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Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Be still, and know that I am God</strong></span>;<br />
I will be exalted among the nations,<br />
I will be exalted in the earth!</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What the Holy Spirit showed me was first, what this DOES NOT mean.</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To Be Still does <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> mean: <em>Give Up</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To Be Still does <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> mean: <em>God will do whatever He wants so...Que Sera Sera </em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To Be Still does <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> mean: <em>Stop Engaging your Faith</em></span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To Be Still and KNOW that He IS God, is to Still and Quiet your Emotions and Feelings and Thoughts that are contrary to the Promises of God and His Nature.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">To quiet your Doubt and to come to the intimate knowledge of your Savior's willingness and plan to deliver and rescue you no matter what problems in life you are up against.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Most of us are not in the situation of an Evil Witch-Queen declaring a death sentence on us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We cannot Know He is God when we are lead by our feelings. </span></div>
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Matthew 11:28 (NLT)</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Then Jesus said, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Be still.</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-69540605341254586522017-05-10T13:54:00.003-04:002017-05-10T13:59:20.270-04:00Deception<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Have you ever<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> considered the topic of Deceit?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As Christians we all know being deceived is the last thing you want to happen to you. We have all seen others that were deceived and the path of destruction in their lives as they pursue something other than the Truth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The problem is, when you are deceived...you don't know you are deceived...because you are...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Deceived.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It almost seems a deceived </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">person is not responsible for what they do, if they don't realize what they are doing is wrong.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I know this may be a bit </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">philosophical...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I am reminded of the Apostle Paul before his encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus. Paul was a Pharisee, a Religious Leader, filled with more Zeal for God than any other...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Yet, he was TOTALLY deceived into thinking that Jesus (the True Messiah and Son of God), was the leader of a false religion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">His deception caused him to pursue arresting and putting Christians to death.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So how do we as Believers keep ourselves from falling into Deception that leads us away from Christ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Look at this scripture:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>Proverbs 12:20 NLT - </strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Deceit fills hearts <span style="text-decoration: underline;">that are plotting evil</span>; </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">joy fills hearts that are planning peace!</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is a clue here as to one way Deceit enters the heart...through the Plotting of Evil.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This often begins with Jealousy & Envy as we see another person doing well in life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Here is a Serious Scripture in James to consider:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>James 4:1-6 (NLT) - </strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure. </strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">4 You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">"God opposes the proud</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"> but gives grace to the humble."</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He is writing this to Christians!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He answers the question: "How does a Christian get to the point of being murderous or adulterous?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Obviously, one in this state has been greatly Deceived.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Here in these Last Days before the Lord's Return, this is a very serious issue. Scripture teaches clearly the Deceit of these Last Days and the hatred that will fill the hearts of men, causing some Christians to even fall away from the Truth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Consider this final scripture:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>Proverbs 6:12-15 NLT- </strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">What are worthless and wicked people like?</strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><strong>They are constant liars, </strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">14 Their perverted hearts plot evil, </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">and they constantly stir up trouble. </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, </strong><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Serious Stuff!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, we need not fear if we continue to pursue Jesus and Love Him with all our Hearts, Minds, and Strength! And Love our Neighbor as ourselves!</span></span></div>
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Lord, we Humble ourselves before You today. We choose to rejoice when others are blessed by You. We thank You for Loving us and caring for us. We pray You make us effective in Your Kingdom as we reflect your Love to others.</div>
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Amen!</div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-87056372170780720872017-05-04T14:47:00.003-04:002017-05-04T14:47:59.317-04:00Human Effort<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Do you know the Story of Israel?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Israel was the Grandson of Abraham. His name was originally Jacob, which in the Hebrew means, "Heel," or "Heel-Grabber" or "Supplanter."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He was named this because he was the 2nd born of twins. As his brother Esau was born, Jacob grabbed his heel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This would become the theme of his life, as later through lies and deception, he stole Esau's position as firstborn and the Spiritual Blessing reserved for the firstborn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Living as a Liar & Deceiver, things actually seemed to go really well for him for a good while.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So many people are willing to do sinful things to get ahead of others...to gain and promote themselves...to obtain and to enrich them-selves...but in the end, How satisfying is it to Gain through Living a Lie?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That was Jacob's Life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In the end, living out of his Human Effort was lame...and you also end up...Lame...living this way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jacob had an encounter with God one night as he found himself in a wrestling match with an "angel." I believe this was actually Jesus Himself showing up in the Old Testament. You can study that on your own.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It was through this encounter that his hip was made lame, and he walked with a limp the rest of his life. Yet, he realized he had been face to face with God Almighty and no longer had to live the Lies, in his Human Effort.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Lord gave him a New Identity!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is so much better to live from Godly Favor than your Human Effort!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Question: are you enjoying what Christ has made you, purely by His Divine Plan for you, rath<span style="font-size: 11pt;">er than your Human Effort?</span></span></div>
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Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)</div>
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3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 <span style="font-size: 11pt;">For <span style="color: #ff6600;">*</span>YOU DIED TO THIS LIFE</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.</span></div>
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<strong>*(living by your Human Effort)</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We now Identify with Christ's Death and Resurrection! We are a New Creation in Christ Jesus!</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-15573328432374348212016-06-23T18:05:00.007-04:002016-06-23T18:13:45.620-04:00Gaining Ground<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In my Bible reading this week, I came across an interesting scripture in Exodus 23.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">They Lord tells His people that He is sending an Angel before them, to protect and keep them, and deliver them to the Promised Land. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God tells them if they walk in obedience, the Lord will become an Enemy to Israel's enemies and an Adversary to Israel's adversaries. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God does this by sending His Angel before them, which causes them to defeat their enemies. It seems this Angel also carries out God's plan to provide food and water and remove sickness and disease from their midst.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He says it like this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Exodus 23:27 NKJV </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">28 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I will send terror</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Wow. Now we understand our Enemies are not people. Our true enemy is Satan and all spiritual wickedness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Apply, the scriptures here to understand how the Lord fights our battles in the invisible spiritual world for us when we obey and depend on Him!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I found this </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">next</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> verse very interesting:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Exodus 23:29 NKJV </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">In the natural, God is saying, if He removed all of Israel's enemies at once, before they were able to </span><em style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">grow into </em><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">this new land, the lack of people in certain areas would allow the population of dangerous wild animals to proliferate and become a major issue for the Israelites to protect themselves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the spiritual, the Lord does the same </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">thing</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> for us. He knows we must grow and mature in Him. For Him to <em>suddenly</em> remove ALL barriers and enemies, without us growing to place to handle the success and blessing that would rush into our lives, would end up being more harmful than helpful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Furthermore</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, the idea here is that of "Possessing the Land" or taking ground for the Kingdom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Are we currently taking and holding ground for the Kingdom of God? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Take our City of Rochester for example. Are you walking in Faith and Action for our City? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If God <em>suddenly</em> removed EVERY Principality and Spiritual Wickedness from the City of Rochester, would you and I be already working to take Ground for the Kingdom...in particular, are we ministering and sharing the Gospel with the PEOPLE of Rochester?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Lord <em>could</em> do this, removing all demonic </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">hindrance, but if we are not able, ready or mature enough to reach all the unsaved at once, what would the result be?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Look what Jesus taught about such things:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Luke 11:24 NLT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">"When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.'</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So imagine, Jesus removes all the Spiritual Wickedness from Rochester...we are unable to reach all the people immediately with the Gospel, so the evil spirits return after a time, and the City ends up 7 times worse off than it started.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I believe that is the idea in verse 29 of Exodus 23, regarding the multiplication of wild animals or "beasts of the field" becoming "too numerous for you."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, how <em>does</em> the Lord work these things out in our lives?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Exodus 23:30 NKJV </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Little by little.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As we grow in spiritual maturity, as we take steps to gain ground in the Kingdom, and show </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">ourselves</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> as faithful stewards in what the Lord has given us, He then defeats more enemies, giving us more ground. In this way, His Kingdom comes and expands.</span></span></div>
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Luke 16:10 NLT</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-6959635972295832002016-06-16T16:03:00.002-04:002016-06-16T16:05:40.291-04:00Faith that Works<div style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Did you ever question the power of your Faith to work?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Most of us can think of someone we feel has Great Faith, perhaps a grandmother, or minister, or Bible teacher.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What about <em>your</em> Faith?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jesus said:</span></div>
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Luke 17:6 NKJV</div>
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"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow. That sounds like Great Faith to me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We often agree with Words like this in Scripture, but do we <em>really</em> believe our Faith could accomplish something like that?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I want to share 2 thoughts today around your Faith and seeing it work for you when you pray. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Thought #1</strong> - Jesus talks about Faith here as a "seed." The idea of a seed is something that starts very small, but when planted and nurtured, it GROWS into something much greater than its humble beginning. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Thus, we learn our Faith can grow. It can become greater than it is presently. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">How do we grow our Faith?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I believe the number one way to grow our Faith is found in Romans:</span></div>
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Romans 10:17 NKJV</div>
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So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The quickest and most effective way to grow your Faith in any particular area that you are praying for, is to Read, Meditate, and Speak the Word of God, (His Scriptural Promises for what you are believing for).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This will take your seed-sized Faith and turn it into a tree-sized Faith!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Thought #2</strong> - Faith works by Love</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In Galatians 5, Paul is contrasting living by the Law of Moses versus Living by Faith in Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">In context, some thought that by following all the Old Testament rules of being a Jew would save you. Paul makes very clear, that is not the case. Only Faith in Jesus will save you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Then he adds a little secret to effective Faith:</span></div>
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Galatians 5:6b KJV</div>
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...but faith which worketh by love.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Did you get that?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Greek word here in the King James Version, "worketh," or works, is the word, <strong><em>energeō</em>.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You can clearly see the English word, Energy in there. Or as a verb, Energize.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It literally means: </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">to be at Work</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">to put forth Power</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">to be Effective</span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So this scripture teaches us, for our Faith to Work, to put forth Power, and the be Effective...LOVE must be at the source of our Faith.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The motivator for our Prayers when we use our Faith, must be LOVE. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Love for God. Love for People.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, if your Faith seems to be falling short, check up on these two thoughts, and do something about it!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Get in God's Word, and Love God and People!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-31988986094721480892016-05-19T10:43:00.000-04:002016-05-19T10:43:45.415-04:00Betrayal<div style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Betrayal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now <em>that</em> is an ugly word. If you have experienced it, you know what I am talking about.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">II Samuel 13 through 19 gives the account of one great betrayal, that of King David's son, Absalom. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now there's a guy who did not live up to his namesake. Absalom, in the Hebrew means, Father of Peace.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Prince Absalom was a master manipulator who played on the emotions of the people to win them over to his side against his father. </span></div>
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<strong>2 Samuel 15:2-6 NLT</strong></div>
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He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. 3 Then Absalom would say, "You've really got a strong case here! It's too bad the king doesn't have anyone to hear it. 4 I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!"</div>
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5 <strong>When people tried to bow before him</strong>, Absalom wouldn't let them. Instead, <strong>he took them by the hand and kissed them</strong>. 6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and <strong>so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Things grew and grew to the point that Absalom was declaring himself the new King of Israel with a <em>coup d'état</em> attempt to overthrow David. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Now <em>that</em> is </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">betrayal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Oh how it must have hurt David so deeply coming from his own son whom he loved. Absalom would have stopped at nothing, including taking his father's life to become king. He has already murdered one of his brothers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Psalm 3, tells us exactly how David felt and how he dealt with this before the Lord in his prayer-life.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 3 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">NKJV </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Many are they who rise up against me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 Many are they who say of me,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">"There is no help for him in God." Selah</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">My glory and the One who lifts up my head.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">4 I cried to the Lord with my voice,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah</span></div>
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5 I lay down and slept;<br />
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.<br />
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.</div>
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7 Arise, O Lord;<br />
Save me, O my God!<br />
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.<br />
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord.<br />
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah<br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow. What faith.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We know as New Testament believers, our enemies are not people, but rather the evil spirits behind people's actions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">May we declare this Psalm in faith over our troubles and attacks of the enemy, and expect God to strike the devil and break his teeth on our behalf!</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-81182068510317191382016-05-05T17:38:00.003-04:002016-05-05T17:41:05.988-04:00Anxiety<div _mce_style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">A<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">nxiety.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Just reading that word can give feelings of stress.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Stress and Anxiety are something we all must deal with in our lives. Being a Christian is not a pass on that either.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Perhaps being a Christian may even add complication to our lives as we must also factor in morality to our decision making. We also cannot turn to the things that pacify the world when under stress like alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and sexual sin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So where does that leave us?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When people are hurting emotionally, they will look for something that brings pleasure and buries the pain. Some of these things may not be sinful in nature, such as watching 100 episodes or your favorite TV show on Netflicks or obsessing into a hobby. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is however, a Biblical way to handle Stress and Anxiety.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It first helps to recognize what you have the power to change and what you do not. When we come to the place to see ONLY God can create a way out of this, we are then ready for the solution.</span></div>
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<strong>Philippians 4:6-7 NLT</strong></div>
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Don't worry about <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">anything</span>; instead, pray about <strong>everything</strong>. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">A supernatural transaction happens here. It is not just a religious act we go through to help us feel better. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This kind of prayer mixed with genuine faith WILL produce a real Peace in us which goes well beyond our human-reasoning. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Apostle Paul goes on to say:</span></div>
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<strong>Philippians 4:12-13 NIV</strong></div>
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I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the <strong>secret</strong> of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Paul was well-acquainted with Stress and Anxiety. Yet he learned the "secret." It is found in the verses between these two passages and has to do with a Transformed Mind:</span></div>
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<strong>Philippians 4:8 NIV</strong></div>
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praise-worthy, <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">think about such things</span>.<br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So in summary, Pray, Thank God, think on Godly things, and have an attitude that you can make it through ALL situations with the God of Peace at your side!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-44377817071950064382016-03-24T16:52:00.000-04:002016-05-05T17:41:26.265-04:00I Lay Down My Life<div style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What an important time of year for Christians as we remember what Jesus has done for us! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Resurrection Sunday is the pinnacle of God's Plan for humankind!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As we remember this Good Friday how Jesus suffered and the pain He went through for us, let us consider this point:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong>John 10:17-18 </strong></span><span style="color: blue;"><strong>NKJV</strong> - </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">Therefore My Father loves Me, because <strong>I lay down My life</strong> that I may take it again. </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">18 <span style="color: red;"><strong>No one takes it from Me</strong>, but <strong>I lay it down of Myself</strong>. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />Have you ever <em>really</em> considered this? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">At any moment, Jesus could have aborted His Mission. He could have decided, "this is just <em>too</em> uncomfortable."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He <em>knew</em> what was about to happen to Him, as He prayed in the Garden for the Father to let this "cup" of suffering pass from Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, why did He go through with it? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He was looking to the outcome with eyes of Faith...</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong>Hebrews 12:1-2 </strong></span><span style="color: blue;"><strong>NKJV</strong> - </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">2 l<strong>ooking unto Jesus</strong>, the author and finisher of our faith, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Who for the joy that was set before Him</strong></span> endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This phrase, "...Who for the JOY that was set before Him..." tells us His eyes were not on His current sufferings. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One, as the Author and Finisher of our faith, He had you and me in mind, knowing that the completion of this Sacrifice would pay the price to Redeem us and Atone for our Sins that we might be made in Right Standing with God!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Two, He would be given the Right to be seated at the Right Hand of His Father, the position of Authority.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Who has more Authority than Jesus?!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Yet, who understands and exemplifies true Submission more than Jesus?!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He teaches us in His selfless actions of the Passion and the Cross, that only those who truly understand Submission to God, will be given Godly Authority in His Kingdom. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You cannot lead with Authority without living in Submission.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Powerful lessons.</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-49822068158963230982016-03-16T14:59:00.000-04:002016-05-05T17:42:30.795-04:00Milk and Meat<div _mce_style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;" align="left" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is a theme that is woven through the New Testament of the Maturing of the Believer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is all throughout the Teachings of Jesus, Peter, Paul, James and John.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Our Spiritual Maturity is always measured by our capacity to carry and pour out LOVE. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One analogy that is used to describe our Christian Maturity is the contrasting of Milk and Meat (or solid food).</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">1 Peter 2:1-3 </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">NKJV - </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">2 as newborn babes, desire the pure MILK OF THE WORD, that you may grow thereby, </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is where we ALL must start when we give our lives to Christ and we are Born Again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Notice it talks about laying aside all the things in our lives that are the opposite of LOVE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Milk of the Word is so precious and of great benefit if we will truly feed on it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, just as a natural child cannot grow and mature by only drinking Milk, he must move on to Solid Food if he is to grow, we too in our Spiritual Walk must ingest the Milk and continue moving forward to the Meat of the Word.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sad to say, there are MANY Christians who have been Born Again for years that still have not put aside the works of the flesh that choke out LOVE in their lives. There are Christians who are "saved "for their whole lives, yet die as Baby Christians.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Milk is given from a Mother to an infant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Meat is obtained from Hunting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There is a major difference. The Holy Spirit provides for us as a mother, to bring maturity. However, God's desire is that we grow to the next stage and learn to feed ourselves, hunting for and seeking the deeper things of God without missing the elementary.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">Hebrews 5:12 </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">NKJV - </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the FIRST PRINCIPLES of the oracles of God; and you have come to need MILK and not SOLID FOOD.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You cannot move to the next stage of growth successfully until you mature in the First Stage...learning to Walk in LOVE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The scripture goes on to say:</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">Hebrews 5:13-14 </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">NKJV - </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">For everyone who partakes only of MILK is unskilled in the Word of Righteousness, for he is a babe. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">14 But SOLID FOOD belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The New Living Translation says it this way:</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">14 </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is NOT teaching that the MILK is of lesser value or something to be looked down upon. To the Contrary, it is VITAL if we are to move on to being Skilled in the Word and people of Discernment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">1 Peter 2:1 </span><span style="color: blue;">NLT - </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">With Holy Spirit's help, we can do it!</span></span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-78912482789557386912016-02-18T14:03:00.000-05:002016-06-23T18:14:25.596-04:00Fight<div _mce_style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One of our men's LifeGroups is going through the book, "Fight" by Craig Groeschel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The current discussion is about the Life of Samson, "...an incredibly strong man with a dangerously weak will."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In the natural, he truly was a Super Hero with Super Powers...however, spiritually, he had major struggles that eventually cost him his life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God had granted Samson this supernatural strength in exchange for a Nazarite Vow of holiness and dedication to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Requirements:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 11pt;">Don't get Drunk</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't touch anything Dead</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don't cut your Hair</span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Samson ended up doing all three...with a weakness for women from the enemy's camp as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Even with all his sin, God used him greatly for a season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">His life teaches us a few lessons:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Just because God is using you, even supernaturally, does NOT mean you are walking in His will and obedience</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Though you are operating in a Gifting God has given you, that is no guarantee you will stay in God's good Grace</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Consider this Scripture:</span></span></div>
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Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible </div>
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For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We may be anointed with a particular Gifting, but what matters in the end is our integrity and obedience to the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">You will not go to Heaven because you were a Gifted man or woman of God. God is the one Who gave you that Gifting...so that could not possibly qualify you for Salvation. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Salvation is acquired by Faith in Jesus, and maintained through Actions of obedience to Jesus as your Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There are many Christians and non-Christians alike in this world, operating in God-given Giftings...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is really a question of, will you use them for Jesus or for the World?</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-69799001412065923552016-02-12T20:45:00.000-05:002016-05-05T17:42:12.001-04:00God is doing NOTHING??<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Have you ever been around people who are stuck in negativity? Everything they say has a twist of heaviness to it? They seem to suck the life out of the room.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is a person who has lost Hope.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Israel found themselves in such a place many times in their history as they pulled away from God in their Culture and gave into Sinfulness, believing they were being progressive and modern, throwing away the "old ways" of thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now, it didn't happen overnight, or even in one generation. It came over time, one compromise at a time...and the result was a despondent people, wallowing in doubt and negativity, who lost their Hope in God.</span></div>
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<strong>Zephaniah 1:12 NKJV</strong> </div>
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"And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, <strong style="font-size: 11pt;">Who say in their heart, 'The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.'</strong><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">These people believed God was doing NOTHING...good or bad.</span></div>
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<strong>Ecclesiastes 11:4-5 NASB</strong> </div>
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He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, <strong style="font-size: 11pt;">so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.</strong><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The following familiar passage teaches us HOW God thinks.</span></div>
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<strong>Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV </strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nor are your ways My ways," says the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">9 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So are My ways higher than your ways, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And My thoughts than your thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is an entirely different thing to know WHAT God is thinking and doing at this exact moment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God is ALWAYS moving and working. Just because we are unaware at the moment of his working, does not mean He has become complacent and lazy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In the times we begin to feel far from the Lord, it is imperative we do not let go of our Hope and begin speaking doubt, unbelief and negativity. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is NEVER God's way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We ALL face trials and tribulations. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Do not give in to the temptation to speak evil over your situation, but rather speak the Word of God! For He said in the same passage from above:</span></div>
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<strong>Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJV </strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 <strong>So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God is MOVING!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-13023399179718548172016-02-12T20:22:00.000-05:002016-02-12T20:22:12.789-05:00Remember how Great and Terrifying the Lord is...<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As believers and followers of Christ, there will be times of persecution and difficulty from our Enemy, the devil. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The New Testament teaches us in Ephesians 6, that we wrestle not against flesh and blood (people), but the real imposters behind these attacks are from the invisible realm... "principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When you find yourself in this place, how do you handle it?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Our first response should be to raise our Shield of Faith. This is a response to look to the Lord who is our Protecter from the Enemy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In the story of Nehemiah, he was sent back to Jerusalem from the Kingdom of the Medes and Persians, where the Jews had been in captivity for 70 years. He was now the Governor purposed to rebuild the Wall around the City.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He had enemies coming against him using every trick in the book to bring Division, Discord, and Discouragement.</span></div>
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Nehemiah 4:1-3 NLT <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews,</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, "What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they're doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices?Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap-and charred ones at that?"</span></div>
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3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, "That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!"</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Nehemiah 4:6-8 NLT At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.</span><div style="color: blue;">
7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When the Enemy comes against us, it can feel overwhelming and cause a temptation to fear and begin speaking doubt and unbelief.</span></div>
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Nehemiah 4:10-18 NLT <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then the people of Judah began to complain, "The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves."</span></div>
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11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, "Before they know what's happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work."</div>
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12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, "They will come from all directions and attack us!" </div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Look here at Nehemiah's Leadership and Encouragement to his people:</span></div>
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Nehemiah 4:13-14 NLT So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.</div>
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14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">"Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Look how it is stated in the Good News Translation</span></div>
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<strong>Don't be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and terrifying the Lord is, and fight...</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">WOW! That word, TERRIFYING to describe the Lord is amazing. We see Him as our Loving Savior and Protector...imagine how Satan sees Him! GREAT, TERRIFYING, GLORIOUS!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Enemy is NO MATCH for Jesus!</span></div>
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Nehemiah 4:15-18 NLT When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What a picture of our Spiritual Life...building the Kingdom with one hand, and keeping the devil in his place with the other, as we keep up that Shield of Faith, and speak the Word of God over our trials as our Sword of the Spirit!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Here is the result of Nehemiah's faith and Godly Leadership:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Nehemiah 6:15 </span><span style="color: blue;">GNT </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt;">After 52 days of work the entire wall was finished on the 25th day of the month of Elul.</span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Trust the Lord to fight your battles!</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-43160154692791523272015-11-18T10:46:00.003-05:002017-08-02T13:55:15.797-04:00God is Able, and HE WILL Deliver!<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;">One of my favorite Bible stories is that of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These were three Jewish young men exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon with their friend Daniel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">We usually recall them by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">As the account goes, King Nebuchadnezzar set up a Gold Statue that was 9 Stories Tall! He commanded that when the music played, all were to bow down and worship the image.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">These three Jews, far from home, which was burned to the ground by this King, had every reason to abandon their faith and acclimate to their new culture which had great promise of wealth and pleasure for them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">However, they refused to bow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">This set the course of their destinies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Here is the confrontation before the King:</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">Daniel 3:15b-18 [the King says] ...</span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"</span><br />
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16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>If that is the case</strong></span>, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>But if not</strong></span>, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."</div>
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<span style="color: white;">Too many times we have misinterpreted what they actually said here. We read verse 17 and see their faith for deliverance, then we read verse 18 and interpret that they are saying, "even if God does not deliver us and we die, we still will not bow."</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">That is a beautiful sentiment and show of faithfulness to God in any circumstance, however, that is not what they were saying.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">In the start of verse 17, </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">"If that be the case..."</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span style="color: white;">is referring to the King's intention and threat to burn them to death.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">In the start of verse 18,</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">"But if not..."</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span style="color: white;">is referring to the same thing! (The King's intention and threat to burn them to death).</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Think about that!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Let's reread verse 18 in that light:</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">18 </span><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>But if not</strong></span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: blue;">, </span><span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">(but if it is not your intention and just an empty threat to burn us to death) </span></span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: blue;">let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."</span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">In other words, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this, whether you plan to kill us or not, GOD WILL DELIVER US!"</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">This is a 100% faith declaration of God's deliverance! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Verse 17 bears this out, when they say: God is ABLE, and HE WILL deliver us.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">No Fear!</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">No Doubt!</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">We often stop short with God is Able...yeah God could do that if He should decide to...</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">Faith speaks, and HE WILL!</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="color: #57452e; font-family: "comic sans ms" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">I believe they may have recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah from 150 years before who had warned Jerusalem of their impending doom and exile to Babylon:</span></span></div>
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Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. </div>
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WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED. NOR SHALL THE FLAME SCORCH YOU.</div>
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<span style="color: white;">No matter what fires are burning around you this week, the Lord is our Deliverer!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Trust in Him with all your heart!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Your deliverance draws nigh!</span></div>
Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-31018247299088664812015-10-30T08:44:00.000-04:002015-10-30T09:09:50.626-04:00To See and Understand<div align="justify" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Last week I wrote about the spiritual gift of Discernment. I would like to continue with another aspect of this gift.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Again, Discernment could simply be defined as the ability to SEE and UNDERSTAND the things of the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One way God uses this gift at times is to grant one the ability to see and understand what is happening in the invisible spirit realm. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Throughout Church history as well as Bible history, people of God have seen visions, angels and demons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">One such account is when Elisha and the city are surrounded by the enemy closing in to destroy them. Yet, he is as calm as ever, with an unexplainable peace. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">His servant is freaking out thinking they are all going to die. So Elisha prayed that the Lord would open the servant's eyes TO SEE and UNDERSTAND (implied). </span></div>
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2 Kings 6:15-17 (NKJV)</div>
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And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"</div>
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16 So he answered, "DO NOT FEAR, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may SEE." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When we are up against what seems like insurmountable odds, and it feels like the enemy is closing in, we must not give in to fear! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes, to allow the gift of Discernment to operate in your life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It reminds me of a testimony in my family of my great grandmother. Her husband was away and a great thunderstorm was raging giving her anxiety. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That very night in the midst of the storm, an Angel appeared in her room telling her not to fear but to trust the Lord. He left the room and she heard his wings flutter as he flew away.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wow!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God still moves in these miraculous ways.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Are you seeking Him?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Are your eyes open to what He will reveal?</span></div>
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-73808675511532698612015-10-23T13:16:00.002-04:002015-10-23T13:21:40.301-04:00No Condemnation<div style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">I want to talk today about the spiritual gift of Discernment. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Discernment simply means: to see, and understand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Of course, in the context of spiritual life, it is seeing and understanding what God is doing, what the Holy Spirit is saying, and where He is leading, as well as, what Satan, the enemy, is up to in His evil plans to kill, steal and destroy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Recently I had a discussion with an individual who was struggling with feelings of guilt. He was trying to Discern what this was all about as he knew he was living right and not in sin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">I would like to draw a contrast between Godly Conviction and Satanic Condemnation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">When we sin, as Christians, our Born Again spirits in communion with the Holy Spirit will convict us for our sin. We have all experienced this. Our God-given conscience will not let us rest until we make things right with the Lord by confessing our sin so that He may cleanse us and forgive us. (1 John 1:9)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">However, even after confessing and receiving forgiveness, there can be those lingering feelings of shame, and a reminding in our thoughts of our sin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">This is NOT God. These are feelings of condemnation. The Bible says in Romans 8:1 that there is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus! That is us who are Born Again, living for Jesus, pursuing His Kingdom!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Satan is called, "the accuser of the brethren." (Revelation 12:7-12) He loves to throw our past failures up in our face in an attempt to shift our Identities from a child of God to a powerless sinner.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">I came across this Psalm that really spoke into this truth:</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Psalm 32 (NKJV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">The Joy of Forgiveness - A Psalm of David. </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">And in whose spirit there is no deceit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">Through my groaning all the day long.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">5 I acknowledged my sin to You,</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">And my iniquity I have not hidden.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">King David is expressing first how joyful one feels knowing God has forgiven their sins!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Then he describes the feeling of living with unconfessed sin, as his "bones growing old." He talks about the Conviction of the Lord, as a "heavy hand" upon him. We have all experienced this when we are walking in the flesh and disobeying the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">As a Good Father, He chastens and disciplines those He loves! (Hebrews 12:6) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">The Good News is, there is a solution! In verse 5, David gives us the answer!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Acknowledge our sin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Confess it to the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Receive His forgiveness!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">There are many topics and subjects in our Christian walk that require Godly Discernment. Get in His Word and grow in your seeing and understanding!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-49131767485781803032015-07-09T15:10:00.001-04:002015-07-09T15:12:03.421-04:00To be Seen of Others<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: cyan;">Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Have you ever been challenged by these words of Jesus? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In this scripture, there is an implication that we are already giving to others in need.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As humans, when we do something for others, there is an immediate temptation that follows "to be seen of others." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">James calls this the Pride of Life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I think the problem comes from that issue of Identity. When our eyes fall off of Jesus, we seek significance in all the wrong places.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So in this scenario, you could actually be walking in obedience to the scriptures, doing the right thing, with a totally wrong heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That is <em>exactly</em> how the Pharisees lived their lives. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We like to get mad at them as we read the Gospels and Acts, but if we are not careful, we find the heart of a Pharisee within ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So rather than struggle in these areas of having a hardened heart, let's put our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">He said, your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you!</span></div>
Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-69512546778568195022015-06-25T20:56:00.001-04:002015-11-18T10:50:46.211-05:00Pledge or Faith Commitment?<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">I am writing from Tulsa, OK. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Juli and I had come down for a conference this week. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">It has been full of revelation, anointed worship and great teaching. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">One area that the Lord spoke to me this week was in the difference between making a "Pledge" vs. a "Faith Commitment."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">If you are a follower of Jesus, at some point the Lord will challenge you in the area of Giving and Generosity. The reason for this is that God is a Giver and He is abundantly Generous...and He expects us to become like Him!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">When we make a "Pledge" to give, what we do is look at our budget, and decide "what can I afford to give without messing with the status quo of my finances?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">However, God does not call us to make these kind of pledges. The Lord always wants us to be operating out of a place or position of Faith.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">So a "Faith Commitment" is where we ask the Lord, "What is it You want me to give?" The answer to that has nothing to do with your current financial status. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">I heard a minister this week give testimony to this. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">He asked us all, "Have you ever been in a situation where you wished you had a lot of money so you could help someone or give generously into an offering?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">When he was younger he was in that exact situation where he wanted to get behind another ministry's Kingdom endeavor, but quite frankly, he did not have the money.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">It was in his heart to give $1000.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">At that time he felt he could only believe for $100.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Honestly that was where his Faith was then.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">So the Lord told him to believe for $100...<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">TEN TIMES!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">We all got a laugh at the story, but that is exactly what he did. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">He made the Faith Commitment for $1000. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Following that meeting, every time God brought him $100 above his normal resources He sent it to that ministry. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">He ended up meeting his Faith Commitment in 4 months! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">This in the natural was a miracle!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">You see, when we put ourselves in a position of Faith, God can then begin moving on our behalf.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)</span></div>
<span style="color: cyan;">But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is (exists), and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-30341236847960496382015-06-25T20:19:00.000-04:002015-11-18T10:51:28.479-05:00The Effect of No-Frills Worship<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">2 weeks ago we had a great worship service at LifeTree!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">In case you weren't there, we had major sound issues right as we were starting the service. Everyone rolled with it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Svanna just so happened to have brought in her new acoustic guitar, Andy started leading, we pushed the grand piano over, Jeff played his bass through the amp, Jadyn jumped on the congas and somehow John's electric still worked...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">...and we had CHURCH!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">It was so beautiful hearing all the voices worship the Lord without all the frills of full sound and a full band. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">It reminds me of Paul and Silas in prison, as they began worshipping the Lord...now they didn't even have an acoustic guitar! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">However, I heard the acoustics in that prison were pretty sweet for a cappella singing! hahaha.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Seriously, talk about no-frills worship!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">They had just been beaten with rods, their backs were bleeding, their feet were fastened into stocks, it was dark.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The result of that pure worship before the Lord was:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> atmosphere-changing, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> bondage-breaking, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> freedom-making, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> foundation-<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">shaking Worship!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and EVERYONE'S chains were loosed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Wow! Their Worship lead to EVERYONE around them being set free from their chains???</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Think about that one!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37314769.post-8286050486302824422015-05-21T13:01:00.000-04:002015-11-18T10:51:49.167-05:00The god of this world?<div _mce_style="color: #57452e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The Lord brought something to my attention this past week. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Most of us are aware the the devil is called the "god of this world" or the "god of this age" in the Bible, depending on which English version you read. (2 Corinthians 4:4)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">When we look at the news media and the reports of evil around the world we can surely see why he has such a title. His influence seems to be everywhere, from politics, media, entertainment, academia, war, terrorism, religion, peoples' opinions, conversations...etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">However, what does this really mean, the "god of this world?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Is he the owner?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Is he in control?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Is God trying to get it back from him?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The Bible says,</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">1 Corinthians 10:26 (NKJV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">...for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">That means the earth and everything in it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The Lord, in His wisdom has set certain boundaries for the devil to operate because of the rebellion of mankind, but NOTHING is outside of God's control.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">We, as Believers, are no longer under the rule of Satan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">The Bible also says,</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Jesus through His death and Resurrection gave authority over the devil to His Church that we may walk in Victory!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Jesus said,</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;">Luke 10:19 </span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;">(NKJV) </span></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #ff0000;" style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">We exercise this Authority when we Pray in Jesus' name.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;">John 14:13-14</span><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;"> (NKJV) </span></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #ff0000;" style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #ff0000;" style="color: cyan; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #ff0000;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #0000ff;" style="color: cyan;">14</span><span style="color: #57452e;"> </span><span style="color: red;">If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Wow! What a Promise!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">I pray the Lord give us greater Revelation of this Promise and Truth from His Word!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Walk in it!</span><br />
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Garrett Wendthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01833036174076948251noreply@blogger.com0