tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69414131116148684212024-03-13T11:57:47.840-07:00New Yu CommunityWe're uncoventional. Young. DIFFERENT!!
Looking for a church/gathering that
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JOIN US!!LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-89728050597846694912020-12-12T16:29:00.003-08:002020-12-12T16:29:41.275-08:00Advent: Peace<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Micah 5:2-4 MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“But you, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">— From you will come the leader who will </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">shepherd-rule Israel</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, And the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">shepherd-rule</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> by GOD ’s strength, centered in the majesty of </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">GOD -Revealed</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect— </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Peacemaker of the world</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">!”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;">Observation </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 30.31px; font-weight: bold;">Peace/Shalom - A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.</span></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px; min-height: 36.2px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 30.31px; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 30.31px; font-weight: bold;">In the Old Testament, “peace” carries the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Micah, or Mikayahu, the small village Prophet, the contemporary of the Prophet Isaiah, targets people, and their behaviors that abuse power and privilege. God uses him to speak to the social & moral issues of the day. Micah speaks to...</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">The rich who get richer through extortion & violence</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Merchants w/ scales weighted in their favor </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Judges who sell judgement for a bribe</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Prophets & Priests (the preachers) who say whatever the ppl will pay to hear</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Rulers who do whatever it takes to live in luxury & preserve their power</span></li></ul><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;">Jesus, is the prophesied Peacemaker</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Matthew 2:1-6 TPT</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem and inquired of the people, “</span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">Where is the child who is born king of the Jewish people</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">? We observed his star rising in the sky and we’ve come to bow before him in worship.” </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">King Herod was shaken to the core when he heard this, and not only him, but all of Jerusalem was disturbed when they heard this news</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. So he called a meeting of the Jewish ruling priests and religious scholars, demanding that they tell him where the promised </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Messiah</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> was prophesied to be born.</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"> “He will be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,” they told him. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Because the prophecy states: And you, little Bethlehem, are not insignificant among the clans of Judah, for out of you will emerge the </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Shepherd-King </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">of my people Israel!”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">The Gospel According to Matthew is written toward the Jews, Mark toward the Romans, Luke toward the Greeks, and john toward those neither Jews nor Gentiles, but believers on the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Matthew 9:35-38 NLT</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“</span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, </span><span class="s8" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">teaching</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> in the synagogues and announcing the </span><span class="s8" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Good News about the Kingdom.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> And he </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">healed</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> </span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">every kind of disease and illness</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. When he saw the crowds, he had </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">compassion</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> on them because they were </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">confused and helpless</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, like sheep without a </span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">shepherd</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">more workers into his fields.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">What is trauma? An </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">event</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> that is </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">experienced</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> that has lasting adverse </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">effects</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> on an individual’s </span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">ability to function</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">It is an individual’s </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">experience</span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;"> of the event</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, not necessarily the event itself, that is traumatizing.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">The </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">effect</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> of trauma on an individual can be considered as a </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">normal response to an abnormal situation.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;">Application</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HOPE, we have PEACE! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HEALING, we have MERCY!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HELP, JOY, and LOVE!!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">It’s in Jesus, It’s all in Jesus!! Whatever we need can be found in Him!!</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. </span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Take the mercy, accept the help</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 39.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 39.29px; font-weight: bold;">Prayer</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.1px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Father, help us to see Jesus as the source of peace. Help us accept His love, mercy, and help.</span></p>LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-32282356897596057602020-07-21T17:33:00.002-07:002020-07-21T17:33:37.373-07:00I’m Sick Without You<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPTURE</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Mark 2:14-17 NASB</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He *said to him, “</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Follow Me!</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">” And he got up and </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">followed Him</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. And it *happened that He was </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">reclining at the table in his house</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, and </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">many</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> tax collectors and </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">; for </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">there were </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">many</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;"> of them, and they were </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">following Him</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">” And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “ </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">OBSERVATION </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">RELATIONSHIP > RULES - Jesus invites the unlikely</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">POWER OF GOD > WILLPOWER - Have you been changed? We have been called out to be sent in! </span></p><ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Called out to be repaired/healed</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Called out to be prepared</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Called out to be trained </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sent in to be an ambassador for Christ</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sent in to be a reconciler for Christ</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sent in to be a representative of Christ</span></li></ul><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Again he said, “Peace be with you. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 20:21 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 20:22 NLT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">APPLICATION</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">HOLY DISCONTENT</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">You ought to get to a place where “CHURCH AS USUAL” doesn’t do it for you anymore!</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">There should be a progression in your relationship w/ God to such a degree that you shift from being a CONSUMER to being a PRODUCER!</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">When you chose to “FOLLOW CHRIST” you BECAME a Disciple of Christ</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">And as you grow you become a Disciple that MAKES Disciples</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Because you’ve </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">experienced</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> His Love you can GIVE love</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Because you’ve </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">been Healed</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> you can assist others as they heal</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Because you’ve </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">experienced</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> Grace & Mercy you can GIVE grace & mercy</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> You are FILLED, you are AUTHORIZED, you are OVERFLOWING with the Spirit of God!!</span></li></ul><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Prayer</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 31px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">My Lord, King, and Father, I thank you for Your love! I thank You for forgiveness. I’m so grateful to be Your son. Grateful that You love me. Father, I’m grateful for Your Word, I’ve hidden it in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Help me Lord. Help all of those who have an ear to hear this message. </span></p>LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-11699030051090697102020-06-08T10:08:00.000-07:002020-06-08T10:08:05.534-07:00Who’s Your Daddy<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4px;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. I, the Lord, have spoken!”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, in the earth: </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”</span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Demonstrates </span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">KJV “Which exercise” - This important root means to work, labor, toil.</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">God IS love. In addition, He is a </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">God of Justice</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Jeremiah 9:25-26 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“A time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will punish all those who are </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">circumcised in body but not in spirit</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">— the Egyptians, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, the people who live in the desert in remote places, and yes, even the people of Judah. And like all these pagan nations, the people of Israel also have </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">uncircumcised hearts</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Circumcision</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> - The practice of cutting off the foreskin of the male organ.</span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Was not </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">uncommon</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> in ancient times.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Non Jews practiced it a as puberty rite of passage at age 13.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">God commanded Abraham to </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">circumcise</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> his offspring on the 8th day after birth. This gave the operation a religious meaning.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">It was like a sign of </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">God’s ownership</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> of the male leadership of His people.</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 30:18 NASB</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">have compassion on you</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. For the LORD is a </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">God of justice</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The killing of </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">George Floyd</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> by four Minneapolis Police Officers was the tipping point for decades of oppressive law enforcement tactics & ethics.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Christian Cooper</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> could’ve been </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">George Floyd</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> if Law Enforcement had responded quicker. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Breonna Taylor</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> was shot 8 times & killed in her home by Law Enforcement while executing a “No Knock</span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Warrant!!</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Ahmaud Aubery</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> was shot and killed while jogging by a citizen executing what he considered to be Citizen’s Arrest. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Jeremiah 31:31-34 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">,” says the Lord. “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">I will be their God, and they will be my people</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Micah 6:6-8 GNB</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“What shall I bring to the LORD, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him? Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my firstborn child to pay for my sins? No, the LORD has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.”</span></div>
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LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-37369405037831126462020-05-31T07:38:00.002-07:002020-05-31T07:38:23.389-07:00The Father’s ❤️<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 32.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4px;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 22:34-40 ESV</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Observation </span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Everything begins w/ God. Especially relationship.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">We are created in the image of God. The Imago Dei.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">God, who is 3-in-1, exists in perfect harmony.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The Bible says He is LOVE.</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Application </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Let </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 32.2px;">❤️</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;"> Lead</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">1 John 4:7-8 NLT</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Whose Standard?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">People think that whatever they do is right</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, but the Lord judges the </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">reasons</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> for everything they do. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Do what is right and fair</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. The Lord loves that more than sacrifices.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 21:2-3 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“We justify our actions by appearances; </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">GOD examines our motives</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Clean living before God and </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">justice with our neighbors mean far more to GOD than religious performance</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 21:2-3 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Whose Values?</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">As long as we exalt “American Values” over Kingdom Values we will continuously break God’s heart.</span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">We must remember that while we are “In the world, we are not of it, we’re visiting”</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Letter From A Birmingham Jail responds Southern Clergy That denounce his actions & tactics</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative. </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 23:23-24 ESV</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">For you tithe mint and dill and cumin</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, and </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek GOD know it inside and out.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 28:5 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">What Do We Do?</span></div>
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<span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">We can’t all be activists but we can all be active</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Letter From A Birmingham Jail responds Southern Clergy That denounce his actions & tactics</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Micah 6:8 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 32.2px; font-weight: bold;">The Father’s Heart</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 1:13-17 MSG</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Quit your worship charades</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Prayer</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Father, break our hearts with the things that break Your heart. Open the eyes of hearts, so we can see what You. Strengthen us, so move toward action, as You would move. In Jesus’ name.</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-15294010863082349742020-05-19T08:16:00.000-07:002020-05-19T08:16:00.253-07:00The New You<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 29.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4px;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 29.19px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Ephesians 4:23-24 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 29.19px; font-weight: bold;">Observation</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Colossians 3:9-10 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">put off the old self</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> with its </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">practices</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> and have put on the </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">new self</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, which is being </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">renewed</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> in </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">knowledge</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">after the image of its creator.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 29.19px; font-weight: bold;">Application</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Social distancing does not mean social isolation.</span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Growth Groups</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bible Study</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Serve on a team</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>C.L.A.S.S.</span></li>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Membership</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Maturity</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Ministry</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Mission</span></li>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">You can be a “New Christian” with Old Habits</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">You got a “New Life” but an Old Mind</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">You thought the denomination would save you but it was a band-aid, or band-age, used to cover up sin. But there was no healing in it. No power!!</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Just cause you wear a long dress don’t mean you ain’t a hot mess!</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Talking in tongues, but cussing out your kids!</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Preaching in the pulpit, but won’t talk to your spouse at home.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Jesus wants to upgrade you, transform your life, make you new, so you can be whole!!</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Titus 3:4-5 GW</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Romans 12:1-2 GW</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 29.19px; font-weight: bold;">Prayer</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-7378499460558478502020-05-02T06:26:00.000-07:002020-05-02T06:26:06.766-07:00I Need A Hero<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Romans 7:21-25 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">OBSERVATION</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">While the law (Mosaic) identifies sin it is NOT a SOLUTION for or to sin</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The 1st 5 Books of the OT, the Pentateuch, are considered to be The Law of Moses (The Written Law).</span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The law also includes “Oral law” which refers to Jewish traditions about how to put the written law into practice</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NKJV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Now it shall come to pass, if you </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, to observe carefully </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">all</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">because you obey the voice of the LORD your God</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">God’s Law, His instructions, His Commandments, were & are to be taken seriously </span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The quality of your life depends on your obedience </span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The welfare of your family depends on your obedience </span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">So you embed the law in your heart</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Joshua 1:6-8 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Do not </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">deviate</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> from them, </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">turning either to the right or to the left</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Progressive faith & progressive obedience go hand-in-hand</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Romans 7:7 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">it was the law that showed me my sin</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Romans 7:8 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“And sin found a way to use that command and make me want all kinds of things that weren’t mine. So sin came to me </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">because</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> of the command. But without the law, sin has no power.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">You can’t violate a standard that doesn’t exist </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">APPLICATION</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">I need Jesus to live right!</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">I need the Word living in me to love right</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Good Master</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Luke 18:18-19 KJV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ” The man replied,</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"> “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Then come, follow me.</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Luke 18:20-24 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Believing is a start, it’s good, but Belonging to Him is about remaining connected to Him</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“I am the Vine, you are the branches. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” John 15:5-8 MSG</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Romans 8:3 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">The law of Moses</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">was unable to save us</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> because of the weakness of our sinful nature. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">So God did what the law could not do</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px;">PRAYER</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-24499983344169232442020-04-26T06:53:00.000-07:002020-04-26T06:53:11.008-07:00Capes, Cowls, and Christ<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 33.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: 26.01px;">“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 13:6-9 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> and that he had come </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">from</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> God and would </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">return</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> to God.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 13:3 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus has all authority, yet chooses to serve</span></li>
<ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Leadership is service, not dominance </span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Parenting is leadership</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Pastoring is leadership</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Leadership is service, not dominance</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus is on mission</span></li>
<ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">He has an assignment</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 12:44-45 NLT </span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">God who sent me</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. For when you see me, </span><span class="s6" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">you are seeing the one who sent me.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">”</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 13:4 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus, the Rabbi, removes His outer garment</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus, the Rabbi, prepares to wash feet</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus, the Rabbi, kneels to wash the feet of His followers</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Jesus, the Lord, the living God, takes on the roll of a slave</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">“You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 13:6-9 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Peter is conflicted & confused</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s7" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">John 13:12-17 NLT</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-69160214164117954292020-04-12T19:46:00.004-07:002020-04-12T19:46:53.483-07:00When The Hero Dies For The Villain<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">SCRIPTURE</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">“</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">In the beginning the Word already existed</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">recognize</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"> him. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;">He came to his own people, and even they </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">rejected</span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;"> him</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;">They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">So the Word became human and made his home among us</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">John 1:1-14 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"> “</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">John 1:14a MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">OBSERVATION</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">RECOGNIZE - Verb</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To acknowledge</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To admit as being</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To take notice of</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To show appreciation</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Rejection - Verb</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>to refuse to accept</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to refuse to consider</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 24.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to refuse to submit to</span></li>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Believe </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Accept </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Reborn</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Douglas Mangum</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">For Jews, John’s use of logos would have evoked the phrase “the word of Yahweh.” This title was an important part of biblical traditions about Yahweh and His effective power over the universe. The phrase was regularly used to refer to Scripture as divine law (Isa 2:3), written instruction (Psa 119:11), and prophetic revelation (Hos 4:1; Ezek 6:1). More important, the “word of Yahweh” was depicted as an active force at work in the world to accomplish His will (Isa 55:11; Jer 23:29). This force was the agent through which Yahweh created the world (Psa 33:6, 9; Gen 1:3, 6, 11).</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">For Greeks, the idea of “the Word” as God’s active agent on earth would have resonated with the Greek notion that the Logos was the stabilizing principle of the universe.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">“One day Jesus was in the Temple area </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">teaching the people</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. He was telling them the Good News. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;">The leading priests, teachers of the law, and older Jewish leaders came to talk to Jesus</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. They said, “Tell us what authority you have to do these things. Who gave you this authority?” </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Jesus answered, “I will ask you a question too. Tell me: When John baptized people, did his authority come from God or was it only from other people?” The priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish leaders all talked about this. They said to each other, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from God,’ then he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe John?’ But if we say that John’s baptism was from someone else, the people will stone us to death. They all believe that John was a prophet.” </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">So they answered, “We don’t know the answer.” So Jesus said to them, “Then I will not tell you who gave me the authority to do these things.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Luke 20:1-8 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">APPLICATION </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">“</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves.</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;"> </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;">We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 24.37px; font-weight: bold;">We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger. </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 24.37px; text-decoration: underline;">I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 24.37px;">Romans 5:6-10 ERV</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-22640852247145759052020-04-07T17:02:00.002-07:002020-04-07T17:02:28.120-07:00Jesus Is My Super Hero - Do You Know What Time It Is?<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Now as He drew near, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">He saw the city and wept over it</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, saying, “If you had known, even you, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">especially in this your day</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, the things that make for your peace! But </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">now</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> they are </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">hidden from your eyes</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">because you did not know the time of your visitation.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Luke 19:41-44 NKJV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Jesus came near Jerusalem.</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;"> Looking at the city, he began to cry for it</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> and said, “I wish you knew today what would </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">bring you peace</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. But it is hidden from you now. A time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and hold you in on all sides. They will destroy you and all your people. Not one stone of your buildings will stay on top of another. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">All this will happen because you did not know the time when God came to save you.</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Luke 19:41-44 </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">ERV</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> “They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">recognize</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> it when God visited you. ”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Luke 19:44 </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">NLT</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">OBSERVATION</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">RECOGNIZE - Verb</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To acknowledge</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To admit as being</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To take notice of</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To show appreciation</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">that I may know him </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">and the power of his resurrection, and </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">may share his sufferings</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">, </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">becoming like him</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> in his death,”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Philippians 3:10 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">In the preceding chapter, and in the preceding sequences of Jesus’ life He encounters two men, who, on the surface seem similar. But they each received Christ differently, leading to two different outcomes.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">The Rich Young Ruler</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Luke 18:18-25 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“And a ruler asked him, "</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">You know the commandments</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Zacchaeus</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Luke 19:1-10 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a wealthy, very important tax collector. He wanted to see who Jesus was. There were many others who wanted to see Jesus too. Zacchaeus was too short to see above the people. So he ran to a place where he knew Jesus would come. </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Then he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him. When Jesus came to where Zacchaeus was, he looked up and saw him in the tree. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today.” </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Zacchaeus hurried and came down. He was happy to have Jesus in his house. Everyone saw this. They began to complain, “Look at the kind of man Jesus is staying with. Zacchaeus is a sinner!” </span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “I want to do good. I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times more.”</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">APPLICATION</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">REPENTANCE</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> - A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Jesus said, “Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.”</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">The Hebrew word</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> that most closely approximates “repent” or “repentance” is translated into English as “return,” which basically means “to turn around and go in the opposite direction.” </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">The Greek word</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> for “repentance” derives from a verb meaning “to radically change one’s thinking.” “Repentance” refers to an event in which an individual attains a divinely provided new understanding of their behavior and feels compelled to change that behavior and begin a new relationship with God</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">REDEEMER</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> One who pays a price on behalf of an impoverished relative, in order to effect the release of the relative or his/her property (Lev 25:25–54). The New Testament uses this term in reference to Jesus, whose death comes to represent both payment for sin and freedom for the believer.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Prayer</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> - My God, thank You for loving me, helping me to recognize who truly are. I thank You for revealing my sin to me, allowing me to repent, and prompting me to restore to anyone that I’ve wronged. I love you.</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-37210561329529351712020-03-29T20:07:00.001-07:002020-03-30T08:46:34.612-07:00All In This Together <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPTURE</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Philippians 2:12-13 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“My dear friends, you always obeyed what you were taught. Just as you obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important for you to obey now that I am not there. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. Do this with fear and respect for God. Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Philippians 2:12-13 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Fear used here refers to reverential awe. Paul is not saying be afraid of God. He is saying do this out of reverential respect and awe of who God is. The All-Sufficient One!</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">OBSERVATION</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">The Novela Coronavirus Pandemic has changed our lives forever. COVID-19 has hit several countries incredibly hard. Many have lost their lives to this virus in China, Italy, and several other parts of the world. Here, in United States Novela Coronavirus has rolled in like a blanket of fog, descending on the country. Fear & confusion have swept through the land as Stay-At-Home Orders have been issued by various state governers. The speed, and lethality of this virus have rocked the country! </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Many ask “Where is God in this”? Others definitely say “This IS an act of God”!</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">My assignment today is to speak to the People of God.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any faul</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">t. But </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world, and you offer them the teaching that gives life</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Philippians 2:14-16 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">2 Timothy 1:7 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">The Spirit God gave us</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> does not make us afraid. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">2 Timothy 1:7 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">APPLICATION</span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Yellows (</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Speak the language of People & Fun</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">) can use their needs to be constructive, creating ways for people to experience fun/joy, instead of being destructive, by violating Social Distancing protocols because they’re experiencing Cabin Fever.</span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Reds (</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Speak the language of Power & Control</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">) can flip their needs and be an inspirational voice in a time of panic, fear, and confusion, by creating structures that provide a sense of normalcy. </span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Greens (</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Speak the language of Calm & Harmony</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">) can be a center of calm. Creating a soft landing place for those whose lives have been disrupted by the darkness of this virus.</span></li>
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<li class="li1" style="font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Blues (</span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Speak the language of Perfection & Order</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">) can flip their innate wiring. They can be the Logistics Officer of the house, making certain that all necessary supplies have been gathered. Checking to see if people have what they need.</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">PRAYER</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Father, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I thank You that nothing takes you by surprise. I know that You are aware of our situation. We call You Lord of all, and Lord in all!! You protect us, and keep us, comfort us, and lead us. And we love and thank You for it, in Jesus’ name.</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-86458332211312290022020-03-15T08:48:00.002-07:002020-03-15T08:48:23.000-07:00Feed The Need<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Philippians 2:1-2 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">OBSERVATION</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Here, Paul suggests we consider what we have in Christ. Encouragement, comfort, sharing, mercy, and kindness. Consider what being in relationship with Jesus does for the Believer, the Disciple of God. </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Encouragement literally means to PUT COURAGE IN. Christ has put His courage IN you. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">In your distress, our faith in Christ, in His ability to do anything but fail, brings us comfort. </span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Things that are impossible with man, are POSSIBLE w/ God! We are loved by a BIG GREAT GOD!</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Paul suggests that the readers & hearers of the letter consider the mercy and kindness shown to us by Christ.</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">APPLICATION</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">And after full consideration I’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus fully SATISFIES me! Who He is and what He provides fills me up! I am FULL in Christ!!</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">IF YOU ENJOY THESE BLESSINGS Paul says “You must respond”. </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">But how?</span></div>
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<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Agree w/ each other</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Show love for each other</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Be united</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Be humble</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Honor others more than yourself</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Don’t be interested only in your own life</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Care about the lives of others too</span></li>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“</span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. Instead of this, of his own free will </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">he gave up</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> all he had, and </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">took the nature of a servant</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. </span><span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px; text-decoration: underline;">He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death — his death on the cross</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Philippians 2:5-11 GNB</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">PRAYER</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">My Lord, my King, I thank you for Your love. Thank You for showing us how to love. Help us to love like You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-43383894356808217912020-03-12T07:53:00.002-07:002020-03-12T07:53:12.590-07:00Life’s Healing Choices: Increase My Desire<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 30.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3px;">
<span style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 5:1-12 NLT</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 23.57px;">“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“When Jesus saw the crowds of people there, he went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came and sat next to him. Then Jesus began teaching the people. He said, “Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. God’s kingdom belongs to them.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 5:1-3 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall”</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="color: black; font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">BY <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mother-goose"><span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px;">MOTHER GOOSE</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">All the king's horses and all the king's men</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Couldn't put Humpty together again.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">We want God’s “stuff”, but we don’t necessarily want God.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="font-family: Menlo-Regular; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">We pursue the “blessing” not the One who blesses </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 6:33 KJV</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">““Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Matthew 6:27-34 MSG</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Truth is I'm tired</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Options are few</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">I’m trying to pray</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">But where are you?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">I’m all churched out</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Hurt and abused</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">I can’t fake</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">What’s left to do?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Truth is I'm weak</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">No strength to fight</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">No tears to cry</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Even if I tried</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">But still my soul</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Refuses to die</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">One touch-will change-my life</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Take me to the king</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Written by </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Kirk Franklin</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Here, no doubt, we ask a question to which human beings cannot give an answer with any certainty. A reasonable (and traditional) guess, based on our own experiences of going wrong, can, however, be offered. The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the center—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake.... What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">The reason why it can never succeed is this</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">. God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity”</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></div>
<ul class="ul2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">To try, and do life alone is sabotage. It’s suicide.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Words mean things. To “Invite Jesus into your heart or your life is to suggest that He is not the owner. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">You are”.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">But to give yourself over to Him, to give yourself away, is to say </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">He is the owner</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> of your life, and He can do </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">whatever</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> He sees fit to do with it.</span></li>
<li class="li3" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s7" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">This is where the declaration </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">“I surrender all</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">” is an appropriate response.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"></span><br /></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-56223968852953512412020-02-28T09:57:00.003-08:002020-02-28T09:57:23.201-08:00I Said This, You Heard That<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 26.01px;">SCRIPTURE</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 4:29 NLT</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">OBSERVATION</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Each of us is uniquely wired, designed by God to be who He designed us to be.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Psalms 139:13-14 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Unique Wiring</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sanguines(Yellow)- Uniquely wired to see the best in people and circumstances</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Cholerics(Red)- Uniquely wired to be visionaries who can see and achieve goals.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Melancholics(Blue)- Uniquely wired to anticipate obstacles and creatively problem solve.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Phlegmatics(Green)- Uniquely wired to stay calm and kind in the midst of chaos.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Woven into our unique wiring are </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">loud, powerful, deep, peaceful strengths</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Simultaneously, we each have </span><span class="s4" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">loud, powerful, deep, peaceful weaknesses</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their strengths they commonly say...</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sanguines: Oh, I’ve got a story about that...wait till you hear this!</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their weaknesses they commonly say...</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Sanguines: Do you always have to be so serious?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their strengths they commonly say...</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Cholerics: How about we do it this way?</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their weaknesses they commonly say...</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Cholerics: Just do what I said.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their strengths they commonly say...</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Phlegmatics: I’m good with whatever.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their weaknesses they commonly say...</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Phlegmatics: I’ll do it later.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their strengths they commonly say...</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Melancholics: I’ve been giving it some thought...</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">In their weaknesses they commonly say...</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Melancholics: No one understands me.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">Always be humble and gentle</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Be patient with each other</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">, </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">making allowance for each other’s faults</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">because of your love</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 26.01px; font-weight: bold;">Make every effort to keep yourselves united</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"> in the Spirit, </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 26.01px; text-decoration: underline;">binding yourselves together with peace</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Ephesians 4:1-4 NLT</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">APPLICATION</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Cognitively speaking many of us agree that we are all different. However, experientially we want, believe, or expect other people to be like us. In our strengths each of us rocks! In our weaknesses we throw rocks at others. It’s important that we understand, and operate from a place of self-control, not other-control. Self-control is one of the evidences, indications, and proofs that the Spirit of God lives in you. Changing who you are is not an option. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God to be exactly who you are. However, you get to choose which version of you people will experience. You can choose to show up as the best version of yourself, or the worst version of you. Still you. Understand that we choose the words we use. Our words can help, or hurt. We can choose to build, or destroy. </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">PRAYER</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 26.01px;">Father, thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Thank You for healing me, thank You for delivering me. Please, help me to operate in and from my strengths. Help me to seek out opportunities to build others up, recognizing the God in them, and loving them like You do.</span></div>
LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-80757547715402791902020-02-25T11:41:00.000-08:002020-02-25T11:41:36.932-08:00Why I Don’t Go To Church<ol class="ol1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Too many hypocrites </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">It’s boring</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">I don’t belong there</span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">They just want my money</span></li>
</ol>
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<div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Gen Z</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: Born between 1999 and 2015</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Millennial</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: Born between 1984 and 1998</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 23.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Gen X</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: Born between 1965 and 1983</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Boomer</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: Born between 1946 and 1964</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">Elder</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">: Born before 1946</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">“Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith <b><u>add</u></b> goodness; to your goodness <b><u>add</u></b> knowledge; to your knowledge <b><u>add</u></b> self-control; to your self-control <b><u>add</u></b> patience; to your patience <b><u>add</u></b> devotion to God; to your devotion <b><u>add</u></b> kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness <b><u>add</u></b> love. If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will <b><u>produce</u></b> the kind of fruit that should come from your <u>knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ</u>.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px;">2 Peter 1:5-8 ERV</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">1. Nearly two in five churchgoers report regularly attending multiple churches.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Declining church loyalty—or what is sometimes referred to as “church hopping”—is becoming a common feature of churchgoing. Just because somebody might attend church doesn’t mean they attend </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-style: italic;">the same</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;"> church every time. </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">While a majority of churchgoers does tend to stick with a single congregation (63% churched adults, 72% practicing Christians), a sizable minority is at least occasionally attending other churches, including nearly two in five churched adults (38%) and one-quarter of practicing Christians (27%).</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">2. Churchgoers are divided on the value of church.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Another element of the churchgoing landscape is the paradoxical perceptions that churchgoers hold of church itself. Kinnaman observes, “Those who frequent worship services do so largely because of personal enjoyment, but many churchgoers also readily admit that they believe people are tired of church as usual.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">On the positive side of the ledger, two-thirds of churched adults say they attend church because they “enjoy doing it” (65%); the same is true for four in five practicing Christians (82%). Still, it’s worth noting that one in six churchgoers (17%) says they attend because they “have to” and one in seven (15%) says they do so “out of habit.” </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">While most churchgoers attribute positive feelings to their participation in church, half of Christians agree that “church as usual” is declining in popularity. Or, at least, churchgoers perceive that </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-style: italic;">other </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">people feel this way.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Currently, about half of Christians (48% self-identified Christians, 45% practicing Christians) and more than half of churched adults overall (57% of U.S. adults who have attended in the last six months) admit that people they know are tired of the usual type of church experience. While you might think that some groups of Christians are more likely than others to feel this way, data show no significant difference across denomination, generation or faith segment.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 23.57px; font-weight: bold;">3. Churchgoers largely experience—and have come to expect—positive emotions and outcomes by going to church.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Overall, churched adults say they leave worship services feeling inspired (37%), encouraged (37%), forgiven (34%), as though they have connected with God or experienced his presence (33%) and challenged to change something in their life (26%), every time. A plurality of churched adults also express always feeling like attending service was the most important experience they had all week (29%) and that they learned something new (28%).</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">Even so, 32 percent of churched adults say they feel disappointed by the experience at least half of the time and another 40 percent leave feeling guilty. Kinnaman notes, “In survey research, people tend to under-report negative experiences. As researchers, we have to amplify the times when they have the courage to report these kinds of disappointing experiences, and acknowledge there may be other ways a worship community has let them down, beyond those listed here.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">These findings ultimately reveal that attendees encounter and even anticipate a range of emotional connectivity during worship services—which can further complicate the job of those behind the pulpit. Kinnaman states, “We must emphasize the reality that, week in and week out, today’s church leaders are tasked with meeting a diverse set of emotional expectations.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 23.57px;">**Barna Research**</span></div>
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LarryThomas.NYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503674108916496368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6941413111614868421.post-39857373225774915752020-02-12T12:08:00.000-08:002020-02-29T18:35:14.815-08:00Healthy Relationships & Pizza In Bed<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Healthy Relationships & Pizza N Bed</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scripture</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds. Then he brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and that is how they all got their names. So the man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Genesis 2:18-20 GNB</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Then the man said, “At last, here is one of my own kind — Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. ‘Woman’ is her name because she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Genesis 2:23-24 GNB</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Observation</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God Himself said “It’s not good for Man to be alone”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Humanity is built for community</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There’s a difference between isolation & solitude</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Boundaries</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where i end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. Taking responsibility for my life opens up many different options. Boundaries help us keep the good in and the bad out. Setting boundaries inevitably involves taking responsibility for your choices. You are the one who makes them. You are the one who must live with their consequences. And you are the one who may be keeping yourself from making the choices you could be happy with. We must own our own thoughts and clarify distorted thinking.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">― Henry Cloud, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, to Take Control of Your Life</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“The extent to which two people in a relationship can bring up and resolve issues is a critical marker of the soundness of a relationship.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">― Henry Cloud, Boundaries Face to Face: How to Have That Difficult Conversation You've Been Avoiding</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Singleness - What does it mean?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Single - To be separate, unique and whole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I love most about this definition is that it focuses on the individual and not just a relationship status.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Application</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Growth is a choice. It’s not automatic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I have grown up, I have no more use for childish ways.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 13:11 GNB</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prayer</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Father, we thank You for your love, direction, and guidance. We thank You for creating systems to help us grow and mature. You are so good to us. Thank You Father, for Your Spirit on the inside of us. The Spirit that calls out “ABBA, Father”!</span><br />
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