tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805961103993905512024-03-12T20:57:31.568-04:00Marking The PathMarking The Path was launched as a place to share the Word of God in an educational, uplifting, and encouraging way.Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-1624019227575363382010-06-06T05:00:00.002-04:002010-06-06T05:00:02.061-04:00Back to Basics -- Part 8<div style="text-align: center;">(We conclude our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “self-control.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</em></strong></div><br />
I am not sure if this is the custom in other countries, but here in America many people make resolutions, or set goals, in an effort to change some aspect of their life that they are not happy with. Traditionally most resolutions begin on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately their good intentions often end in failure.<br />
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When areas of our lives are out of control what do we do? We often make grand statements like:<br />
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• “I’ll never do that again.”<br />
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• “I’m going to quit smoking, drinking, or gaining weight.”<br />
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• “I’m going to control my tongue.”<br />
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When we attempt to make these changes on our own, more times than not we fail. However, with a little help we can find a way of getting control of our lives again.<br />
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The Holy Spirit offers such help in the form of the fruit of self-control. This is a fruit that delivers us from despair, and it enables us to win the battle against the negative things in our lives.<br />
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Today we will examine the fruit of self-control, something that we all so desperately need in our lives. We will learn how to exchange our self-confidence for faith. We will learn how to exchange our will power for God’s power. Finally, we will learn how to exchange our weakness for God’s strength.<br />
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<strong>Exchange Your Self-Confidence for Faith</strong><br />
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Self confidence is a great trait to have. People who lack confidence miss out on so much in their life. Many people never make it to college or fail to get a better paying job simply because they lack confidence in themselves.<br />
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There are pluses and minuses when it comes to self confidence. One plus is that self-confidence enables us to achieve some things. We can seek a higher education, go for that better paying job, and try for those things that may be considered out of our league. However, the minus is that self-confidence limits us to human potential. We have to seek these things by the sweat of our brow or through intellectual thinking. We are limited, but God is not.<br />
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Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” There are no limits when we lean and depend on God.<br />
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In the Bible, Joshua was able to lead his people to victory over Jericho with the help of God. The odds were stacked against him, but his faith told him that God would help him succeed. His faith gave him the confidence he needed. It was not self-confidence that won the battle; it was his faith that won the battle.<br />
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A young David was able to defeat Goliath because he had faith that God would give him whatever he needed to destroy the mighty giant. Seasoned soldiers lacked the self confidence to battle this great enemy, but a teenaged David, fresh from tending his father’s sheep, had the faith he needed to accept the challenge and win.<br />
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Then there were Jesus’ disciples. They were unlearned individuals – mostly fisherman – yet they received all the confidence they needed through their faith in Jesus. Their faith allowed them to turn the world upside down.<br />
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Know that defeat can be changed to victory with God’s power. All the discipline we need is available from the Lord. This kind of discipline is self-control in action. Trust God to enable you to do what you ought to do. Exchange your self-confidence for faith.<br />
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<strong>Exchange Your Will Power for God’s Power</strong><br />
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Most of us suffer from a lack of will power in some area in our life. We try to stop overeating, over spending, over drinking, smoking, gambling, or gossiping. For a time we are able to overcome our addictions, but then we slowly slip back into our old habits. However, we don’t have to accept defeat.<br />
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Remember what Philippians 4:13 said? “I can do all things through Christ.” You can trade your “I want to” for “I can” through the power of God.<br />
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Many of us lack the will power to quit our addictions. We try to win with will power, but know that your will power is limited. Only God’s power is unlimited.<br />
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You have the ability to allow God’s unlimited power to operate in you. When you yield to the Holy Spirit you can receive the ability to harvest the fruit of self-control. With the help of God’s power you can overcome anything.<br />
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<strong>Exchange Your Weakness for God’s Strength</strong><br />
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Philippians 4:13 tells us that Christ strengthens us. Sometimes we can give a problem everything we got and still fail. However, it is important for us to understand that our strength is limited. No wonder we fail. No wonder our good intentions are not always realized.<br />
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This is when we must let go and begin to lean on God’s unlimited strength. Christ can give us the strength we need to overcome. No resolve is beyond us. There is no victory that we can’t win.<br />
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<strong>Exchange Your Guilt for God’s Forgiveness</strong><br />
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Guilt over past failure brings on depression. We hear the negative voices in our head reminding us again and again how we have failed in the past. It causes us to not want to try again. We begin to think like losers.<br />
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Guilt is real because all have sinned, but know that God forgives the guilty. First John 1:9 tells us, ‘If we confess or sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”<br />
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We can overcome any situation when we allow God to move in our life. When we allow the Holy Spirit to have control over our life He will help us harvest the fruit of self-control, and little by little we will see our life change. We will slowly develop the will power to stop overeating, stop over spending, stop smoking, and stop gossiping. We will find that we finally have control of our life. God will make us winners if we will only let Him.<br />
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I hope you have enjoyed this series of teachings on the Fruit of the Spirit as much as I have enjoyed writing them. It is amazing how God allowed situations to come into my life, which gave me insight into the topic I was discussing for that week.<br />
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Until next time, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-42498552730139120402010-05-23T05:00:00.002-04:002010-05-23T05:00:00.747-04:00Back to Basics -- Part 7<div style="text-align: center;">(This week we will continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “meekness,” which is the King James Version of the word “gentleness.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, </em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</em></strong></div><br />
The word <strong>meekness</strong> is a very misunderstood word. The world has altered people’s perception of the true meaning of meekness. Today people associate the word meekness with weakness. However, meekness has nothing to do with weakness. If anything it takes a lot of strength to have a meek spirit.<br />
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Weakness is a negative trait, such as the lack of strength or the lack of courage. Meekness is a positive characteristic, because it is due to a person’s conscious choice. It is a person’s ability to exhibit controlled strength and courage and maintain gentleness towards people.<br />
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Meekness should be a normal part of a person’s Christian experience. Meekness means having a patient, gentle disposition. It also means having humble submissiveness to God’s will. The Bible contains many examples of people who exhibited such meekness.<br />
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Let’s examine three things regarding the fruit of meekness -- the meek learner, the meek leader, and the meek Lamb.<br />
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<strong>The Meek Learner</strong><br />
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The pastor of our church has training sessions for the associate ministers who sit under his guidance. Occasionally he will have all of us take a particular section of scripture and create a sermon from it. The result is that none of the five or six messages that are written come out duplicating one another. It is amazing how one small section of scripture can inspire so many different sermons. Each sermon is scripturally correct, but God inspired each person in a different way.<br />
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Scripture tells us that we are all to be meek learners. What that means is that we should seek knowledge about God’s Word, but not with a “know it all” attitude. We need to be humble enough to admit that we can not possibly know it all when it comes to the Word of God.<br />
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We can read the Word, and study it, and read it again, but in the end we will usually discover that we have only scratched the surface of our understanding. God reveals His Truth to us in batches small enough for us to absorb in our spirit, but not so large that we are confused and overwhelmed. <br />
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James 1:21 reinforces the idea that we should receive God’s Word with meekness. It reads, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”<br />
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James tells us that we should receive what God has to say to us with humility. Our fleshy nature may not want to agree with what God says to us, but we must understand that He knows best. We must be willing to push away our pride and face the fact that God’s way is the right way.<br />
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You see, meekness is the opposite of rebellion. It really does no good to rebel against God’s Word or His will. He has laid out all the dos and don’ts in His book, and when we refuse to follow his way we are actually declaring that we know better than God.<br />
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To receive God’s Word we must take it in like a deep breath. This calls for reading the Bible regularly and prayerfully. Most of us can not get a clear understanding of the Bible in one read. But, as we continually read our Bible things begin to click, the light bulb comes on in our head, and understanding replaces misunderstanding.<br />
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It is just as important that we hear the Bible on a continual basis. There are any number of ways to hear scripture. We can hear God’s Word in a church setting. We can turn on the radio or television to an inspirational channel. Or, we can buy the Bible on CD.<br />
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Of course, when we listen to the Word, we must listen with our heart. If we listen to the Word of God, but we do not listen with our heart, than the words will simple go in one ear and out the other. We must learn to shut out less important messages. We must learn to block out the worldly chatter that does not benefit us emotionally or spiritually.<br />
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Most importantly we need to be eager to do the will of God whatever the cost. That may mean developing some new habits, like turning off the television and replacing that time with reading God’s Word. All of these things are the mark of the meek learner.<br />
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<strong>The Meek Leader</strong> <br />
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The Bible provides us with many examples of people who showed the spirit of meekness. Numbers 12:3 tells us that “Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”<br />
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I know what you are probably thinking right now. It is surprising to think of Moses as meek, after all he is the man who stood toe to toe against Pharaoh, and he was the same man who delivered his people from slavery.<br />
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Once again the world has confused people about what makes a good leader. Leaders do not have to be dynamic. Moses was not a great speaker, but he was a mighty leader. Exodus 4:10 tells us that he was “slow of speech and tongue,” which hints that he may have had a stutter or a stammer. So, God appointed Moses to be his representative and Moses’ brother Aaron to be his spokesperson.<br />
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Leaders also do not have to be dictatorial. When Moses brought his people out of Egyptian captivity he did not did force them to obey him. Moses remained patient with the people when they began to complain about the harshness of their journey. Moses continued to pray for them even though they had forgotten the terrible trials of their Egyptian bondage and began speaking out against Moses.<br />
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Moses understood that it is human nature to complain when times are hard, so he easily forgave them for their complaints. Moses knew that God had many blessings in store for them once they got to the “land flowing with milk and honey.” Moses cared too much about his people to let them stop moving toward their blessings. That is what makes a good leader. A good leader isn’t a person who wants to dominate others and get all he can out of them. A good leader is someone who cares about his people and wants them to prosper.<br />
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Humility is more important than impressive credentials. Submission to God’s will is more important than public relations. Are you a good leader?<br />
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<strong>The Meek Lamb </strong><br />
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Jesus was the supreme example of meekness. He admitted so in Matthew 11:29, where he said “I am meek.” John 1:29 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb of God. What could be meeker than a lamb?<br />
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Jesus was quick to tell people of the importance of being meek. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had much to say about being meek. He said: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). God wants meek leaders in charge.<br />
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Jesus showed his meekness by not resisting crucifixion. He knew the ultimate purpose for his life and he was obedient to our Father’s will. He willingly became the sacrificial lamb. Luke 22:40 records this willingness to obey when in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “Not my will but thine be done.”<br />
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Moses showed his meekness by loving his people so much that he refused to allow them to quit their journey and return to captivity. Jesus showed his meekness by loving us so much that he gave his life to secure our redemption. We have been forgiven, cleansed and justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.<br />
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<strong>Bearing the Fruit Called Meekness</strong><br />
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I’m getting ready to close, but I want you to think more about this fruit called “meekness.” We have seen how we are to be meek learners. We looked at examples of how a leader can be meek. And, we have learned how Jesus was the supreme example of meekness. Try and find ways that you can start exhibiting this important characteristic in your life.<br />
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Now I want to ask you something. “Are you always demanding your own way? Do you have trouble getting along with others? Do you get angry when things don’t go your way?<br />
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If you answered yes to any of those things, than you may need to start practicing meekness. Pray to God to help you develop meekness in your life. He will produce the meekness of Jesus in you.<br />
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Next week we will conclude our series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-21704870920829666532010-05-09T05:00:00.037-04:002010-05-09T07:00:44.019-04:00The Woman of Great Faith<div style="text-align: center;">(Marking the Path will continue its series on The Fruit of the Spirit next week. This week we hope you enjoy this special message in honor of Mother’s Day.)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>"Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." (Matthew 15:28)</em></strong></div><br />
There are many women of the Bible that could have provided a good sermon text for Mother’s Day. There is the mother of Moses … or the mother of Samuel. Certainly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, would make a good subject for a message on a day such as today.<br />
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However, this morning we will learn the story of an almost unknown mother. She was a woman of great faith, who received the answer to her prayer after initially receiving the cold shoulder from Jesus.<br />
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Have you ever had someone give you the cold shoulder?<br />
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You know what I’m talking about. They just totally ignore you, won't return your phone calls, and never answer your e-mails. Even when you're in the same room with them, they act like you aren't even there?<br />
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That can be awfully frustrating, can't it? Nobody enjoys getting a cold shoulder, whether that shoulder belongs to your child or your spouse or from someone who you are trying to seek help from. Amen?<br />
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And yet, as discouraging as it is to get the cold shoulder from a fellow human being … can you imagine what it would feel like to get the cold shoulder from God?<br />
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I mean, its one thing to have your husband act like he doesn't hear you, but for God to treat someone that way??? That's practically unthinkable. Or is it? Maybe there have been times in your life when you felt like you were being totally ignored by God … <br />
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• Times you felt like God was oblivious to what you were going through …<br />
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• The pain you were feeling …<br />
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• The trouble you were enduring.<br />
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There may have been times that you desperately wanted to talk to God, but you felt like he was giving you the cold shoulder. And that left you wondering, "Why?"<br />
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In this text we are introduced to a woman who found herself in a very similar situation.<br />
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Undoubtedly this grieving mother must have felt as if Jesus were giving her the brush off … the cold shoulder … the silent treatment. And yet, through it all, this woman displayed a truly remarkable faith … a faith which Jesus ultimately commends as a "great" faith … a faith which can still serve as a model for each one of us.<br />
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This morning let's take a moment to consider the faith of a Canaanite woman … a Canaanite mother.<br />
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We'll see that she has a faith which was tested by God, and a faith which trusted in God. <br />
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<strong>A Time For Rest</strong><br />
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In our text, Jesus has traveled north to the region of Tyre and Sidon, on the northwest edge of Galilee. In the last chapter, Jesus had to deal with the death of his cousin John the Baptist. He also fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes, and He walked on water.<br />
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By this time Jesus is tired and He seeks peace and quiet outside of the borders of Galilee. It was to be a vacation of sorts … an opportunity for Him and his disciples to meditate and recharge their batteries. But then comes along this Canaanite woman … this Canaanite mother.<br />
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If you recall, the Canaanites were the people who lived in the land which God promised to give to Abraham and his descendants.<br />
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The Canaanites worshipped all kinds of false gods. In fact, when the Children of Israel entered the land of Canaan, God told his people "Don't associate with the Canaanites. Instead kill them."<br />
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In other words, this woman belonged to a nation of people who were enemies of God's people. She grew up with people who were pagans and unbelievers. And yet, for some reason, in spite of her heathen background, this woman is drawn to this man named Jesus.<br />
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When she has an opportunity to meet Jesus, she cries out to him, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”<br />
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With those few words we learn two things about this woman.<br />
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First, we learn that she was a believer. She calls Jesus the Lord, the son of David. That's a term which identified Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Apparently, through her contact with the Jewish people or their Scriptures, she had come to believe in the True God of the Bible.<br />
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Secondly, we learn that this woman was enduring a severe hardship in her life. She had a daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. Although demon possession does not seem to be as common today as it was in Bible times, the fact is, this woman was carrying a real burden.<br />
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Can you imagine having a daughter or a son who was physically inhabited by a demon -- literally under the control of an evil spirit?<br />
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Of course anyone who has raised a teenager has probably felt at times like their child was possessed. Am I right?<br />
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But in all seriousness … Mothers, we know what it is like when there is something wrong with our children.<br />
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• Whether they are sick,<br />
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• Or hurt,<br />
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• Or in trouble.<br />
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We desperately want to help them. And, sometimes we will do anything to help them. Is it any wonder that when this woman comes into earshot of Jesus, her number one concern is, "Lord, please heal my daughter."<br />
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<strong>Jesus’ Response</strong><br />
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But, how did Jesus respond to her request? Matthew tells us that, "Jesus did not answer her a word." Ouch! … That must have hurt …<br />
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Can you imagine, pleading your case before the one whom you had hoped with all your heart could heal your daughter … the one whom you believed to be the Son of God … and he gives you the brush off? Who wouldn't be discouraged by that?<br />
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And yet, this woman … this mother … doesn't give up, does she?<br />
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The book of Mark records this same event. In it we read that the woman "begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter." <br />
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What do you do with a pushy Canaanite woman who won’t shut up? What do you do when a loud, screaming, crying woman is following you and calling out your name? This woman is so persistent that finally Jesus' own disciples can’t take it any longer.<br />
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Remember now that these are the men who just in the last chapter were with Jesus helping him with the feeding of five thousand people. They knew a little about crowd control. Certainly they had dealt with some rowdy people at times.<br />
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However, this woman’s cries of desperation proved to be too much for them. So the disciples come to Jesus and urge him to "Send her away for she keeps crying out after us."<br />
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It’s difficult to know exactly what the disciples meant by that statement. Some Bible scholars believe that the disciples were disgusted by her constant outcries and just wanted her to go away. After all, they had come to this place with Jesus to get away from the crowds and the noise and have some quiet time. But this woman was disturbing their peace.<br />
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Other scholars believe that the disciples probably didn't mean, "Send her away empty-handed." Instead they may have meant, "Please, Lord, answer her prayer so that she can go in peace … and so can we."<br />
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So, how does Jesus respond to the disciples' request? He tells them simply, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."<br />
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Now what does Jesus mean by that? He means that he was sent by God to primarily work among the Jews. Even though Jesus is the Savior of all mankind, the fact is, Jesus spent the majority of his earthly ministry working among people of Jewish descent. <br />
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<strong>The Mother's Response</strong><br />
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Can you imagine how Jesus' words must have affected this Canaanite mother?<br />
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I mean, first Jesus ignores you. And then when he does speak, he basically says, "I didn't come for your kind, lady." But notice that this woman is still undaunted. She persists in her prayer. Matthew tells us that "the woman came and knelt before Jesus and begged Him. “Lord, help me." <br />
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Mothers, we know how to beg when we have to, don’t we?<br />
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• Sometimes we have to beg to get our child back into school after they have messed up.<br />
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• Sometimes we have to beg our child’s absentee father to give us some support when times get rough.<br />
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• And, sometimes we have to beg the government to give us some food stamps so we can feed our children.<br />
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Desperate times call for desperate measures. We can pretty much handle it when we get sick, but when our child gets sick, or hurt, or in trouble … we do what we have to do. Don’t we ladies?<br />
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It is at that point that Jesus for the first time speaks directly to this mother. He says, "It is not meet (or right) to take the children's bread, and cast (or toss) it to dogs." <br />
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Wow! Do you hear what Jesus has just said to this woman? He's basically just called her a dog. Jesus is telling her that the Old Testament children of Israel in effect are the children of God and anyone else, including this Canaanite woman are just dogs. And, since it would be wrong for the head of the house to feed the dog at the expense of his own children, Jesus says that it would be wrong for Him to take care of her over the needs of his fellow Jews.<br />
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Now, I don't know about you, but I look at this whole scene and I'm thinking, "Man, why would Jesus treat this woman like this? Why does it seem like he's repeatedly giving her the cold shoulder?"<br />
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<strong>A Test of Faith</strong><br />
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Of course Jesus isn’t really trying to hurt this woman. Rather, Jesus is simply testing her faith. Now, when I say that her faith was being tested, I don't mean that Jesus was trying to figure out whether she had faith or not. Jesus knew that she was a believer. After all, she had called him the “son of David,” or in other words the Messiah.<br />
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No, Jesus' actions were not designed to determine whether she had faith, but rather to give her the opportunity to put her faith into action. Jesus was trying to lead this woman to trust him more completely. Jesus was attempting to remove any selfish motives she may have or any self-righteousness she may be harboring. He was forcing her to take a good hard look at who she was and what she deserved from God.<br />
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God often tests us the same way. God doesn't always give us what we want. He often doesn't give things when we want them. In fact, sometimes it seems God is ignoring us all together … giving us the brush off … just as Jesus seemed to be doing with this Canaanite woman.<br />
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The question is: Why? Why would God do such a thing?<br />
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Well, there are a number of possible reasons that God might ignore our requests. Sometimes God ignores our requests because what we're asking for is just plain no good for us.<br />
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If one of my sons had come to me and told me that they wanted to drop out of high school to move to Hollywood to become a famous actor, I would have simply ignored his request. After all, I love my sons too much to allow one of them to ruin their chance for an education and a future over a silly pipe dream. The chance for him to become a famous actor is about one out of a couple thousand, but the odds of him having a successful career, if he has a good education, are much better.<br />
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So it is with God. Sometimes the requests we bring to God, the plans we make, the desires we have, may seem perfectly logical to us, or perfectly acceptable in the eyes of the world, but God judges them as harmful, or not in keeping with his good will for our lives. And therefore, in love for us, he denies our requests or makes sure that our plans don't work out the way we had hoped. <br />
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Remember that the next time you feel like God is ignoring you. Maybe what you are asking God to do for you isn't good for you or your fellow man. In fact, isn't that why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Not my will, Father, but your will be done"?<br />
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But now, maybe there are times when it seems that we bring a legitimate request to God, something that wouldn't be harmful to us, times when we bring a request like … well …like the woman's request to heal her daughter from demon possession.<br />
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What's wrong with this request? Why didn't Jesus immediately grant her request? Why doesn't God grant our requests which aren't harmful to us?<br />
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Well, sometimes we ask for the right things. But still have the wrong attitude.<br />
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In other words, sometimes we come to God with an attitude that says, "God, you owe me this one. I've been a good Christian all my life. I've paid my dues. There's no reason for you not to answer my prayer."<br />
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Do you hear what's wrong with that kind of thinking?<br />
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Even if we are asking God for something good, something that He wants to give us, still if we come with the attitude that says, "I deserve this, I've earned it. God, you owe it to me, well, that's pure self-righteousness on our part. We all need to remember that we do not deserve anything from God. And, sometimes God delays his answer to our prayers to remind us exactly that. Sometimes God wants to give us the opportunity to realize that we are nothing but beggars, who are asking for scraps from the master's table.<br />
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In fact, that is the attitude that the Canaanite woman displayed here in our text.<br />
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When Jesus tells her that it's not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs, what is her response? She says, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table."<br />
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What a beautiful expression of humility on the part of this woman? She is basically saying, "Lord … I know that I don't deserve anything good from your table … but I humbly ask that you allow me just a crumb or two. And I trust that in your mercy, you will grant my request."<br />
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<strong>A Faith That Trusted God</strong><br />
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You see, that's the faith of this Canaanite woman … this Canaanite mother. A faith that was not only tested by God, but more importantly, a faith that trusted in God. Isn't that the bottom line here?<br />
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This woman trusted that Jesus had both the desire and ability to heal her daughter. She trusted that Jesus could and would heal her daughter not because of who she was, but because of who Jesus was. And isn't that what made this woman's faith "great"?<br />
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In spite of all the obstacles that appeared to be in her way, she continued to firmly cling to the hope that God would have mercy on her and her daughter. And in the end, her hope was not in vain, was it?<br />
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Jesus final words to her are these: "O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt." And as Matthew informs us, "her daughter was made whole (or healed) from that very hour."<br />
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The question that we have to ask for our lives is, "How could this woman do it? How could she keep the faith in spite of what seemed like insurmountable obstacles?<br />
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The answer is … this woman put her trust in the Lord Jesus.<br />
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Somehow through her contact with the people of Israel, she had come to know the promises God had made to send a Savior to rescue her from her sins; promises which were now being fulfilled in the person of this Jesus in whose presence she stood.<br />
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Because this woman knew what God had done for her in the past, and because this woman knew what God promised to do for her in the future, she could trust that God would also take care of her needs in the present. Isn't the same thing still true for you and me today?<br />
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Let's face it, there are going to be times when we feel like God is ignoring us. Times when we feel like the trials are more than we can bear. It's at times like these that we need to go back to what we know about our God.<br />
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Jesus loved you and me enough to die for us. He's already made the ultimate sacrifice. He wants nothing but good things for us. And he promises that even the trials that he allows into our lives, he will use for our eternal good.<br />
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I’m getting ready to close now, but I want you to know that when you and I, by the power of the Holy Spirit, keep our eyes and our hearts focused on God, then what Jesus said to that Canaanite woman … that Canaanite mother … He will also say to you and me … "Christian, you have great faith."<br />
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May God bless all of you, and may all of you mothers out there have a wonderful Mother’s Day!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-85838978244164853912010-04-25T05:00:00.007-04:002010-04-25T05:00:00.799-04:00Back To Basics – Part 6<div style="text-align: center;">(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “faithfulness.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</div><div style="text-align: center;">gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</div><br />
Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." (Beyond Hunger, Beals)<br />
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What a powerful example of someone who measured her life not by how many awards she received, money she earned, or material wealth she accumulated. Rather than care about earthly things, like success, Mother Teresa measured her life by her faithful walk with the Lord. Her faithfulness can teach us much.<br />
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It is important to know that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to produce the fruit of faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is an ever present help as we try to stay on the narrow path on our daily walk with Christ.<br />
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When we are lost, the Holy Spirit works to bring us to Christ. As believers, the Holy Spirit brought about our new birth in Christ. When we backslide, the Holy Spirit restores us to Christ. The Holy Spirit’s presence within us is revealed by the fruit He produces.<br />
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Today we will discuss the fruit of the Spirit called <strong>faithfulness</strong>. We will learn about faith that is childlike; faith that rises to all the challenges of life; and faith that proves the believer’s life is different.<br />
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<strong>Faith That Is Childlike</strong><br />
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Do you remember what it was like to believe like a child? Some of us have to go back further in our memories than others to remember.<br />
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As kids, we believed almost anything we were told. Most of us lived in a world of imagination where bunnies hid eggs, elves made toys for good boys and girls, and the good guy always wore a white hat. If an adult told us that there was an island somewhere in the world where candy grew on trees we probably believe it. We could believe, or have faith, in the impossible because we had no reason to doubt. Most of us had not yet been exposed to all of the lies and deceptions of this world.<br />
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God calls us to have this kind of childlike faith in Him and His kingdom. The Bible contains many examples of how we are to have childlike faith. Unfortunately, some people try to make faith complicated. They make up unending rules for how people must pray and worship to be considered good enough to be a child of God. <br />
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In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus illustrated faith with a little child. It reads, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”<br />
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In this scripture, Jesus explains that one’s faith should be like a little child’s faith. Jesus was skilled at making deep things easy to understand, and he often compared familiar things to spiritual things.<br />
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Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that a little child simply believes. We need the kind of faith where we can believe in what seems impossible. We need to have the kind of faith where we can declare, “God said it … I believe it … that settles it!”<br />
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We need the kind of faith that cuts through religious ceremony and simply believe. We need the kind of faith that places no limits on the power and love of God.<br />
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<strong>Faith That Rises to All the Challenges of Life</strong><br />
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Faithfulness is a fruit that when ripe brings forth faith that rises to all the challenges of life. It is the kind of faith that is built on the conviction that God can do anything!<br />
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Contained in the book of Hebrews is a chapter that gives us one of the best explanations of what the word <strong>faith</strong> means. Hebrews 11 begins by exclaiming, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) In other words, faith means believing in something even though we can not physically see the proof of what we believe in.<br />
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We live by faith everyday. We have faith that air exists, because we are able to breath. We have faith that germs exist, because we get sick. We can not see gravity, but we have faith it exists because we are not floating around in space. Everyday we believe in things that we can not see.<br />
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Not only does Hebrews 11 explain what the word faith means, it also gives us many examples of people who lived by faith. For instance:<br />
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• Faith made Abel worship God (Hebrews 11:4)<br />
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• Faith made Enoch walk with God (Hebrews 11:5)<br />
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• Faith made Noah work for God (Hebrews 11:7)<br />
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• Faith made Abraham obey God (Hebrews 11:8)<br />
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Faith has also sustained many in tough times. Imagine the amount of faith a person must possess to start rebuilding after a tornado, flood, or hurricane. Imagine the amount of faith it takes to try again to conceive a child after having experienced one or more miscarriages. Imagine the amount of faith it takes a person to get out there and find another job after being laid off after 20 plus years of service.<br />
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Faith removes all limits on God’s ability to provide, and it claims the resources of God in every crisis. Faith allows us to believe:<br />
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• It was God who gave us the extra money to pay for an unexpected expense.<br />
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• It was God who allowed us to walk away unharmed from a serious accident even though our car was totaled.<br />
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• It was God who healed us from a serious affliction that doctors said could not be cured.<br />
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• It was God who saved us from a bad situation and gave us a better life.<br />
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• It was God who delivered us from our enemies who had surrounded us and threatened to crush us. <br />
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“'If you can'?" said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’” (Mark 9:23)<br />
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<strong>Faith That Proves the Believer’s Life is Different</strong><br />
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It is through the fruit of faithfulness that we are able to find faith in the deepest and broadest sense of the word. The kind of faith we are talking about here can be translated as “fidelity.”<br />
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The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word <strong>fidelity</strong> as “strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.” This is not a wishy-washy belief system that changes depending on which way the wind is blowing. It is a steady pressing toward a real, trusting, and devoted relationship between us and our Lord.<br />
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This is the <strong>carry through</strong> part of faith. Real faith produces visible evidence in our lives. People should be able to see the faithfulness in us. They should be able to see our faithfulness to Christ and to His Word. It should be visible in our faithfulness to our church through the use of our talents, gifts, and in the use of our material resources.<br />
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In closing, I want to ask you to describe your faith. Is it childlike? Is it sufficient for life’s challenges? Is it visible? Has it changed your life? Or, do you need a faith lift?<br />
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It is time to commit your life to the Lord and watch your faith grow. You will find that when you turn your life over to Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit will guide you in such a way that you too can be filled with the Spirit and begin harvesting spiritual fruit.<br />
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Next week we will continue this series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-35390112303363543962010-04-18T05:00:00.026-04:002010-04-18T05:00:05.630-04:00Back To Basics – Part 5<div style="text-align: center;">(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “goodness.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, </strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The past several weeks we have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit. We have seen how love, joy, peace, patience and kindness play an important role in our Christian walk. They each call for a higher standard than we could ever achieve on our own. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that produces this fruit in us.</div><br />
Some call this fruit “the nine graces” and they divide them into three distinct groups. Love, joy and peace are considered graces which turn one’s thoughts toward God. Patience (or longsuffering), kindness and goodness are graces that direct our attention toward our fellowman. Faithfulness, gentleness (or meekness) and self-control are considered graces which refer more directly to oneself.<br />
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Today we turn our attention to the fruit called <strong>goodness</strong>. We will learn how having a good disposition and a good attitude are an important part of goodness, and how goodness creates a desire in us to do good for others.<br />
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<strong>Having a Good Disposition</strong><br />
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“It is not what they profess but what they practice that makes them good.” Greek proverb<br />
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Having a good disposition is different than just being in a good mood. Moods come and go. They are as changeable as the weather.<br />
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A good disposition is a part of a person’s personality, but this is more than an inherited trait. Having a good disposition means living consistent with God’s love. It means loving others as God loves us.<br />
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Let’s face it. Having a good disposition also makes us easier to live with. When a person has a bad disposition they make everyone around them miserable. They grumble, fuss, complain, and talk bad about everything. However, let a person with a good disposition enter the room and the world seems brighter. A person with a good disposition shows the graces of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.<br />
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<strong>A Good Attitude</strong><br />
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Henry David Thoreau once said, “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”<br />
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A Spirit-filled person is friendly. Are you friendly?<br />
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Jesus was quick to befriend the needy. He was a friend of sinners. He was always reaching out to hurting people. We do not all have to be a social butterflies to be friendly. Just giving another person a kind smile or a simple hello can go a long ways, and may just make that person’s day.<br />
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People who have a good attitude are able to look for the best in others rather than their faults. If you have ever been around someone who is constantly reporting other people’s shortcomings, then you know how that kind of negativity can affect everyone within earshot of that person. That kind of attitude is like a virus. It spreads from person to person, and before you know it everyone has a bad attitude.<br />
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Do you need a better attitude at home, at church, at work?<br />
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<strong>A Desire to Do Good to Others</strong><br />
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“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.” John Wesley<br />
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The fruit of goodness means having a desire to do good to others. Doing good works should be a part of our Christian lives. These works are evidence of our new life in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 reads, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” <br />
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Don’t misunderstand -- good works do not earn salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” We are saved by grace through faith. We can never earn our place in heaven through good works. However, James 2:26 tells us that “Faith without works is dead.” God wants us working for the good of His Kingdom.<br />
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Having the fruit of goodness means we seize opportunities to do good to others. These opportunities may include:<br />
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• Visiting the sick<br />
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• Caring for widows<br />
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• Giving to the poor<br />
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• Comforting those who are grieving<br />
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• Or, even bearing one another’s burdens<br />
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<strong>Time for a Checkup</strong><br />
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When I was in the service, and going through basic training, I had a drill instructor who used to have us check our attitude each day. Our instructor would holler out to us, “Attitude Check!” Our response was to be, “100% drill sergeant … 100%.” It may sound silly, but when you are being trained for battle you can not afford to have a bad attitude, because it gets your mind off of your mission. <br />
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So, as I close this message today, I want you to know that it is time for a checkup. It is time for all of us to see whether we are displaying the fruit of goodness.<br />
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• It is time to check our disposition.<br />
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• It is time to check our attitude.<br />
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• And, it is time to check our service for others.<br />
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What changes do you need to make? Trust in the Lord, and allow the Holy Spirit to make those changes in you.<br />
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Next week we will continue this series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-8363494779823009892010-04-11T05:00:00.022-04:002010-04-11T07:59:10.390-04:00Back To Basics – Part 4<div style="text-align: center;">(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “kindness.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The other day I went out to lunch with a close friend who I have not spent much time with lately. I was eager to sit down with her and catch up with the events of her life, and share with her my latest happenings.</div><br />
As we entered the restaurant, and walked up to the greeting area to get a seat, we both looked at the woman who stood in line directly in front of us. It was obvious that she was homeless, and she was trying desperately to talk to the hostess who was paying her little attention. I believe the woman may have had a stroke at one time or another because she spoke with a slurred kind of speech usually seen in such patients. The hostess started to help us, and I thought for a moment that she was being rude in ignoring this poor woman, but only a moment passed before another hostess came and led me and my friend to a table.<br />
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I immediately forgot the incident, but my friend didn’t. She indicated her displeasure about the woman being disregarded. That is when I thoughtlessly said something about us not knowing the whole situation.<br />
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My friend and I had a wonderful lunch and we both promised each other that we would not let so much time pass before we had lunch again. As we prepared to leave, my friend spotted the little lady who had previously been ignored, sitting at a booth and sipping a cup of coffee.<br />
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My friend excused herself, and with a look of displeasure clearly written on her face, she walked up to the hostess who had previously disregarded the woman and whispered something to her. Then my friend pulled out her wallet and paid to have lunch brought to the woman.<br />
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Of course I immediately felt about one inch tall. I’m a minister and I cast a blind eye to the woman’s plight. In hind sight I know that I should have been the one to offer to do something, but I didn’t. It was a wakeup call for me. I now know that I need to start paying more attention to the people around me. Especially my dear friend who has a compassionate heart that reaches out to anyone in need.<br />
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How wonderfully ironic that I am writing about “kindness” this week? I suppose God felt He needed to humble me a bit before I wrote this post. Thank you, Lord!<br />
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The Bible is full of passages that tell us about the word <strong>kindness</strong>. These passages describe God’s kindness to us and how we are to be kind to others. They teach us that we are to be especially kind in our speech and with our substance. They also provide us with examples of people who have been kind to others, or who have been blessed by the kindness of others. We can all learn from their wisdom.<br />
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<strong>Kindness in the Scriptures</strong><br />
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God’s Word provides us with many examples of God’s kindness to us. Some of these scriptures include:<br />
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• Nehemiah 9:17 which tells us how God is kind to us even when we are disobedient … “They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them…”<br />
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• Psalm 31:21 tells us how God is kind to us when we are in trouble … “Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.”<br />
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• Psalm 117:2 tells of us how great His kindness is … “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”<br />
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• Isaiah 54:8 tells us that His kindness is unending … “In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the LORD your Redeemer.”<br />
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God’s Word also provides us with many examples of how we should display kindness to others. Some of them include:<br />
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• 1 Corinthians 13:4 which tells us how to show kindness as a demonstration of our love … “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”<br />
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• Ephesians 4:32 tells us how kindness was given to us first … “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”<br />
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• Romans 12:10 tells us how kindness to others means thinking of others first … “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”<br />
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• Second Peter 1:7 tells us that kindness is evidence of Christian growth … “and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”<br />
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<strong>Kindness in Our Speech</strong><br />
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Have you ever been out in public and heard some loud obnoxious person saying horrible things to their spouse or children? You are almost afraid to look at them for fear that they will turn on you and start spouting ugly words in your direction.<br />
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Our speech is a very important place for kindness. Unfortunately, more people have been hurt by cutting words than ever were harmed by man-made weapons.<br />
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The way we speak is a test of our genuine Christianity. James 3:9 tells us about the contradiction of kind and cutting words. He wrote: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.”<br />
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Harshness of speech is extremely harmful to the cause of Christ. What kind of example are we showing non-Christians when we talk about the love of Christ one minute, and then the next minute we are saying mean and hateful things? <br />
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Remember this:<br />
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• Harsh words cannot be recalled.<br />
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• Harsh words wound those we love.<br />
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• Harsh words can even divide a church.<br />
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Instead we should speak:<br />
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• Words of comfort<br />
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• Words of encouragement<br />
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• Words that build faith<br />
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If someone walked around with you all day, recording your conversations, what would those recordings reveal about your speech? Think about that for a moment.<br />
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<strong>Kindness with our Substance</strong><br />
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As Christians we are called to be kind with our substance. Examples of this type of kindness can be found in verses about the early church. Acts 2:44-45 tells us that members of the early church were very generous to those in need. It reads, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”<br />
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The Apostle Paul took up regular collections for those in need. We find in his letter to the Corinthians that they were to take up a collection for God’s people just like the Galatian churches were doing. (1 Corinthians 16:1)<br />
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Kindness in giving is spoken of in the Bible. Just look at the following verses:<br />
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• Mark 9:41 reads, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”<br />
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• Ephesians 4:28 reads, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”<br />
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• Matthew 25: 35-36 reads, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”<br />
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Kindness is another dimension of love, and is essential if we are to practice Jesus’ Golden Rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12)<br />
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<strong>An Excellent Example of Kindness</strong><br />
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Jesus gave us an excellent example of how we are to show kindness to one another. Luke 10:30-37 records the story of the Good Samaritan. It reads:<br />
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“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."<br />
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When I look back on the events of the other day, I can not help but compare it to the story of the Good Samaritan. Here was a woman who was in need of help. She was ignored just like the man who was robbed and beaten. It was the actions of my friend (a modern-day Good Samaritan) that reflected the true meaning of the word kindness … a fruit that we all need to start bearing more of if we truly want to be victorious in our walk with Christ. <br />
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As for me, I have to admit that I played the role of the priest who passed by the helpless stranger. Thankfully, God saw fit to pull at my shirt tail, and allow me to witness my friend’s selfless act. The priest in Jesus’ story was not as blessed.<br />
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It is important for us to understand that kindness reveals our degree of surrender to the Lord, while selfishness reveals our degree of carnality. When it comes to the bearing the fruit of kindness, we need to ask ourselves a simple question every once in a while … Do others see the kindness of Christ in me?<br />
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Next week we will continue this series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-71569279960256008022010-04-04T05:00:00.005-04:002010-04-04T05:00:03.677-04:00Back To Basics – Part 3<div style="text-align: center;">(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on the word “patience.”)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</strong></em></div><br />
Those of us who have children may have experienced the joy of the family road trip. You know the one that I am talking about. The family piles into the car headed to the beach, grandma’s house, or one of the many mega-theme parks located around the country. If so, then you probably have had to endure the constant questioning from at least one of your children -- “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? “Are we there yet?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all born with the instant ability to “be patient?”<br />
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Patience is one of the most needed of the Fruit of the Spirit. Unfortunately it doesn’t come easy for most people. While love, joy and peace are all important Fruit of the Spirit, patience is essential to living a successful Christian life.<br />
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Today we will learn how God calls on us to be patient. We will examine scriptural examples of people who had the capacity to be patient. And, we will discover how we can witness through patience.<br />
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<strong>Encouraged to be Patient</strong><br />
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God encourages us to be patient. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word <strong>patient</strong> as, “bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint” or “steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.” The King James translation of the Bible uses the word “longsuffering.”<br />
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Yes, we are called to be patient, but sometimes patience is a fruit that is difficult to harvest. Wouldn’t you agree that at times it is not easy to be patient?<br />
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• It is difficult to be patient when we are sitting in traffic for hours because an accident has closed the interstate.<br />
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• It is hard to be patient when our computer crashes and we have an important deadline to meet.<br />
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• It is not easy to be patient when our kids or grandkids are running around the house acting crazy.<br />
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• It is certainly difficult to be patient when we are going through a difficult time in our life.<br />
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• And, it is difficult to be patient when we are waiting to find out from our doctor whether we have cancer or some other terrible disease.<br />
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It may be difficult to be patience, but scripture records many instances where God calls on us to wait or to be patient. Some of these scriptures include:<br />
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• Psalm 27:14, which tells us to: “Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”<br />
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• Psalm 37:7 that encourages us to: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him …”<br />
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• Psalm 62:5, which instructs us to: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone …”<br />
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• Isaiah 40:31 that informs us: “… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”<br />
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• Lamentations 3:25, which lets us know: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him …”<br />
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I especially love the King James translation of Romans 5:3-4, which reads, “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope...”<br />
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God wants us all to develop patience, because it helps us learn to trust Him more. It also allows us to lead healthier lives. When we are constantly upset over one thing or another we can develop problems with our health, which could lead to ulcers, digestive upset, heart attacks and stroke. <br />
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Remember that God wants us to love, have joy, and enjoy peace, but how is that possible when we are upset all the time? Having patience gives us the ability to partake in all of the Fruit of the Spirit.<br />
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<strong>Examples of Patience</strong><br />
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The Bible gives us many examples of people who learned how to be patient regardless of their circumstances.<br />
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One such example can be found in the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah contained in the Book of Daniel. Daniel and his three young friends were taken captive in one of the Babylonian raids against Judah. They were intelligent, gifted teenagers, who were placed in special training to become servants in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar.<br />
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Attempts were made by their captors to erase all traces of their Jewish identity. First Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had their names changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then their diet was changed from a vegetable dominate Jewish diet, to a rich meat-laden Babylonian diet. However, Daniel and his companions were determined to live by God’s law despite their situation.<br />
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Daniel appealed to those responsible for their care, and asked for permission to be allowed to continue have the food they were accustomed to eating. Permission was granted, and Daniel and his friends were able to prove that their Jewish diet was far superior to the Babylonian diet. As a reward for their patience and faith in the face of adversity, God increased their wisdom and knowledge, which gave them great favor in the king’s court.<br />
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These young men had remained patient through their name change and the attempts to change their diet, but their biggest challenge lay ahead. Daniel’s three friends refused to worship the Babylonian pagan gods, so they were sentenced to be cast into a fiery furnace. The three went into the oven together, but rather than be killed, they came out unharmed. King Nebuchadnezzar himself swore that he saw a fourth person in the furnace with them … a person who looked like “the Son of God.”<br />
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How many of us would have the patience to deal with such a difficult situation? Imagine the amount of patience it took for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to wait for God to deliver them from their plight. They endured even after they were thrown into the oven. How many of us would have gone into that furnace so easily? Many of us would have simply given up and knelt down to the pagan gods, rather than be thrown into the fire. Instead of trying to kill the young men again, the king acknowledged the power of God, and promoted each of them.<br />
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The influential preacher Charles Swindoll once said that, “True patience is waiting without worrying.” Can we truly say we know how to be patient? How many of us find it hard to wait on the Lord for help when we are facing a difficult situation? How many of us even ask God to help us when times get tough? We need to learn how to pray for assistance in tough times, and then wait on God to take care of the problem. We need to learn to wait without worrying.<br />
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Jesus demonstrated the greatest example of patience. His patience was evident as he spent his last moments of freedom praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. While his companions slept, he prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39). Jesus knew that his time was drawing near, so he prayed and waited.<br />
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Next we see Jesus’ patience as he was brought before the chief priests and then Pontius Pilate. He does not argue with them, or try and convince them to let him go. Instead he patiently goes through the proceedings. He could have cried up to God to destroy them all, but instead he allowed them to bind him, beat him, and hang him on the cross.<br />
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Jesus displayed great patience as he hung on the cross. He suffered, bore and endured all the humiliation associated with being crucified. Then he continued his example of patience by calling out to God, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).<br />
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Of course Jesus’ patience did not end at the cross. As Christians we believe that Jesus was buried and rose three days later. After spending several days with his disciples, Jesus returned to heaven, but he is still showing his patience even today.<br />
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Jesus promised to return again, but as 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Jesus wants as many people to come to the knowledge of him as possible before he returns again. What a perfect example of his patience and love for us.<br />
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<strong>Excellent Opportunities to Witness through Patience</strong><br />
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We live in a world where it is becoming more and more difficult to be patient. Cooking dinner has gone from being a day long process, to taking only a few minutes in the microwave. Rather than having to make our own clothes, we can go to the store and buy them. Instead of waiting days for a letter to arrive from a loved one, we can receive an instant message via email.<br />
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However, there are wonderful benefits to being patient. Patient men and women may win the perfect spouse. Patient employers may obtain the best employees. Years of patient work can provide a person with an excellent education.<br />
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Patient people tend to stand out in a crowd. They are the ones who can keep on smiling when they are at a restaurant and their food does not come out on time, or when someone cuts them off in traffic. Observers of patient people often wonder how they can do it. <br />
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It often takes a lot of patience to share the Word of God with others. There are a lot of people in the world who simply do not believe in God, or do not want to hear about him, or are too busy care about Him. Others say they are not ready to be saved because they do not want to change their ways.<br />
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For the patient Christian these are opportunities worth waiting for. God often uses patient people to reach those who may otherwise never hear about Him at all. <br />
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As I prepare to close, remember that God calls on us to be patient. The Bible provides us with several scriptural examples of people who had the capacity to be patient. And, we learned how we can witness through patience.<br />
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Patience is important in our Christian walk. However, it is also important to know that the amount of love, joy, peace and patience we experience in our life depends on our degree of surrender to God. Are you willing to surrender everything to Him? I’m praying that you will.<br />
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Next week we will continue this series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-785109694132455042010-03-28T05:00:00.001-04:002010-03-27T12:49:41.576-04:00Getting Back To Basics -- Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(This week we continue our series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” with a discussion on “peace.”)</div><br />
The late John Lennon is known for his song entitled “Imagine,” which urges us to visualize a world where peace is the norm. Let me share a few words with you: “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.”<br />
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Peace … the Webster dictionary defines the word peace as, “calm; quiet; tranquility,” while Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the word as, “A condition or sense of harmony, well-being, and prosperity.”<br />
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Just as love and joy are fruit that enrich our lives, peace is a commodity that most people yearn for, but many never find.<br />
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Aren’t we all just looking for a little peace? We look for peace …<br />
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• In our relationships<br />
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• In our finances<br />
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• From our aches and pains<br />
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• From violence and war<br />
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• From injustice and hate<br />
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Most of all, don’t we just want a little peace of mind?<br />
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Know that it is possible to find peace, but first we need to understand the three keys to obtaining that peace. They are:<br />
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• Having peace with God<br />
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• Having peace of God <br />
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• And, having peace with others<br />
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<strong>Having Peace with God</strong><br />
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There is nothing like having peace with God. However, it is important for us to understand that we are not naturally <strong>at peace</strong> with God. Sin broke the peaceful relationship we had with God in the Garden of Eden, and sin is undeniably the reason why the world is in such a troubled state today. Isaiah 57:19-21 tells us, “… the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”<br />
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Even though we are not naturally at peace with God, we still spend our lives searching for peace … <br />
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• Many try to find peace in pleasure.<br />
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• Many try to find peace in entertainment.<br />
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• Many try to find peace in substances, like alcohol or drugs.<br />
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• Many try to find peace in financial security.<br />
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The problem with these feeble attempts at finding peace is that they exclude God. What we need to understand is that there is <strong>no peace</strong> apart from God. <br />
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It helps when we know that Christ came to bring us peace. Jesus went to the cross, shed His blood, and because of this …<br />
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• We have personal access to God.<br />
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• The price has been paid for our sins.<br />
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• We can receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.<br />
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• And, we can receive everlasting life with God.<br />
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Now that is the kind of peace that I want! What about you?<br />
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Ephesians 2:13-17 tells us that Jesus is the source of peace. It reads, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”<br />
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Jesus was not only <strong>a source</strong> of peace, but He was <strong>the source</strong> of peace. Peace with God should be our daily experience.<br />
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<strong>Having the Peace of God</strong><br />
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Next, know that having the peace of God will change your life. The peace of God is peace in all circumstances.<br />
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• It is having peace when things aren’t going well.<br />
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• It is having peace when funds are low and debts are high.<br />
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• It is having peace when health is uncertain.<br />
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• It is having peace when storms are raging.<br />
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So, what is God’s formula for this kind of peace?<br />
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Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”<br />
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When we are upset or anxious about our troubles we certainly have no peace. Getting upset or anxious will not change our circumstance. No one has solved their problems by getting upset or anxious. Instead they upset themselves more, and everyone around them.<br />
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Know that prayer is the answer to finding peace when we find ourselves getting upset or anxious about anything. When our troubles overwhelm us … when it seems like everything is falling apart in our lives … if we just turn to God in pray He will make everything alright. The problem may still be there, but God will give you blessed assurance in your heart that you can endure this situation.<br />
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When you truly begin to believe that God hears your prayers and petitions, and when you put prayer to work in your life on a daily basis, you will see an amazing difference in your life. Prayer helps us to enjoy a peace that surpasses all understanding … the peace of God!<br />
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<strong>Having Peace with Others</strong><br />
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The literary magazine, The Personnel Journal, once reported this startling statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. And, in that time over 8000 peace treaties were made … and broken. <br />
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Why is it that we just can’t seem to get along with one another? What would our world be like if instead of only 286 years of peace, we had over 3244 years of peace?<br />
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In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul calls Christians to be at peace with one other. He wrote, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”<br />
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Unfortunately strife continues to plague our churches. Instead of coming together in peace to settle our differences, we allow our disputes to interfere with true worship. This lack of peace often contributes to the "spiritual doldrums" that afflict many Christians, and cause them to leave the church all together.<br />
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Know that when we come together in peace, and settle our differences in a peaceful manner, it allows us to be more effective in our ministries. When we live lives “worthy of the calling,” then we will be able to effectively reach out to others who do not yet know the peace of God. <br />
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I’m getting ready to close, but I want you to know that love, joy, and peace are simple words, yet they are so essential to the abundant life Jesus has to offer those who come to Him.<br />
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Yes, it is possible to find peace, but first we need to understand the three keys to obtaining that peace … having peace with God, having peace of God, and having peace with others. <br />
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Next week we will continue our discussion on The Fruit of the Spirit.<br />
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Until then, may God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-46474650215208199462010-03-21T05:00:00.002-04:002010-03-21T09:06:58.703-04:00Getting Back To Basics<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There is a disturbing trend seen in many churches today. It is the obvious apathy, or indifference, of many Christians.</div><br />
They may attend services, but it appears that they are only "going through the motions." Their singing …their praying … their Bible study … even their zeal, seems listless or spiritless. To rephrase the words of Henry David Thoreau: "The mass of [Christians] lead lives of quiet desperation."<br />
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I believe the problem is one similar to an athlete or a sports team that is going through "a slump." Such a person or team "goes through the motions," but they are not performing up to their true potential.<br />
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The usual solution in sports is to return to working on "the fundamentals." The same is true with Christians. When we find ourselves "in a slump" we too need to stress the fundamentals and get "<strong>Back to Basics!</strong>"<br />
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Today I would like to stress some of the fundamentals or basics that we need to get back to whenever our lives are in a spiritual slump. You may have heard these basics called by another name … “The Fruit of the Spirit.” There are a total of nine fruit. They are: love … joy … peace … patience … kindness … goodness … faithfulness … gentleness … and self-control.<br />
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<strong>Activate Your Love!</strong><br />
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Love can probably be considered the most important of all of the fruit. Without love in your heart it is difficult to practice any of the others. Wouldn’t you agree that it is much easier to be patient with your children, who you love dearly, than with someone who is not related to you and whom you find difficult to be around? Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all easier to practice when we truly love.<br />
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The Apostle Paul gives us one of the best definitions of the word “love” in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.…”<br />
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Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could all express our love in those terms?<br />
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So, why is love important? We can find the answer in the Book of John, which could easily be called “The Great Book of Love,” because it explains so well the kind of love that God wants us to express.<br />
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Expressing love gives us "assurance" of our salvation. First John 3:14 and18-19 tells us, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death …. let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”<br />
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Expressing love assures us that God will answer our prayers. First John 3:21-22 shows us this is so plainly, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”<br />
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Expressing love reassures us that we abide in God, and He in us, as shown in 1 John 4:7-8. It reads, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” It is important for you to know that there is no room for God in a heart filled with hate.<br />
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Yes, it is important to activate your love. However, there are those among us who have been raised in homes where love was absent, and they never learned how to love. However, just like the Thessalonians, we can be taught by God how to love … “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” (1Thessalonians 4:9). <br />
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Jesus was the great teacher on the subject of love. He taught us how to love through His sacrificial life. His love for us was so great that He gave His life for us.<br />
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God taught us how to love by giving His Son as “the propitiation for our sins.” First John 4:9-11 reads, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Imagine the love it took for God to sacrifice His own Son so that we could live.<br />
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It is through careful meditation upon what the Bible reveals about God's love for us, that we can "activate" our love for others!<br />
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<strong>Enhance Your Joy!</strong><br />
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As we continue to examine what is involved in getting "Back to the Basics," I also encourage you to enhance your joy!<br />
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The Greek word for “joy” is “chara.” It is closely related to the word “charis.” Charis means "undeserved favor" or “grace.” I like to think of chara, or joy, as the "delightful response" to the grace we receive from God.<br />
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So, why is joy so important?<br />
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Joy is an essential element of what constitutes the Kingdom of God. While we may receive great joy in eating and drinking while we are here on earth, that is not what the Kingdom of God is all about. Romans 14:17 tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit …” <br />
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Joy also lightens the burden of the trials we experience in this life. First Peter 1:6-9 tells us that while we may have to suffer all kinds of trials in this life these trials are necessary to prove our faith genuine. It reads, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”<br />
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Unfortunately, it is often the loss of joy that is most evident in the lives of many Christians! Even though we as Christians have received the promise, many of us have forgotten it. We allow frustrations in life to suck out all of our joy. That lack of joy affects our marriage and relationships. Many sink into depression. <br />
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So, how do we enhance our joy?<br />
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Both Jesus and His apostles gave us words whereby our joy might be full. In John 15:11 Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” While, the Apostle John wrote, “We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1:4)<br />
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Once again we see the value of daily Bible study. Just as the Bible can help activate our love, so it can “enhance” our joy! And, just as the practice of daily Bible study is one of the keys to getting "Back to the Basics!" so is the habit of regular prayer.<br />
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Jesus stressed the importance of prayer in regards to joy. In John 16:24 He said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Who is not filled with great joy after receiving the answer to a heartfelt prayer?<br />
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Next week we will continue our examination of “The Fruit of the Spirit.” In the meantime, try to activate your love and enhance your joy. Just as athletes have to continually practice their sport, we as Christians need to continually practice the basics of our faith. The more you practice, the more you should find that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will become a regular part of your life.<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-80497247966363616972010-03-14T05:00:00.030-04:002010-03-14T08:12:14.681-04:00The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>(John 14:16-17)</strong></em></div><br />
Speaking to a large audience, Evangelist D. L. Moody held up a glass and asked, “How can I get the air out of this glass? One man shouted, “Suck it out with a pump!” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.<br />
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Who is the Holy Spirit? The Bible does not assign Him a formal name, such as we have for the Lord Jesus Christ. However, we know him by many descriptive titles, such as the Spirit of God, the Eternal Spirit, the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Holiness, and the Spirit of the Lord.<br />
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In the Old Testament the Hebrew word <em>ruwach</em> (pronounced roo’-akh) was used when talking about the Spirit. This word literally means “wind” … the type of wind associated with a breathe. In the New Testament the Greek word <em>pheuma </em>(pronounced pnyoo’-mah) was used, which means the “breathe” or a “breeze.” We can literally think of the Holy Spirit as the “Breathe of God.”<br />
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Today we will examine who the Holy Spirit is and what He does.<br />
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<strong>The Third Person of the Trinity</strong><br />
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The first thing you need to know about the Holy Spirit is that He is one of the three divine persons of the Holy Trinity who make up the single substance of God. He is as much God as the Father is God. He is as much God as the Son is God. The Holy Spirit is usually referred to as the “Third Person” of the Trinity – with the Father being the First Person and the Son the Second Person.<br />
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For many of us, this is a difficult concept to grasp. The Bible declares that there is only one living God, yet we learn from Scripture that He comprises three separate personages. One way to explain this concept is to examine the nature of water. Water is a single compound that can exist in three states – liquid, ice and vapor. An egg is another picture. It is comprised of the white, the yoke and the shell, yet it is still one egg. (These illustrations have their flaws, but I'm using them simply to give some idea of the concept.)<br />
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The next thing you need to know is that the Holy Spirit is a person. Many people throughout the ages have thought of the Holy Spirit more as a thing than a person. In fact, some falsely teach that He is only a force. However, nothing could be further from the truth.<br />
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What constitutes a person? Would you say that a person has intellect? Emotion? A will? Well, the Holy Spirit also has intellect, emotion and a will.<br />
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His intelligence is manifest in all His mighty works as illustrated by Romans 8:26-27, which reads, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” The Holy Spirit is able to interpret the believer’s innermost feelings, which cannot be put into words. That takes intellect.<br />
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Ephesians 4:30, shows us that the Holy Spirit has emotion. It reads, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The Holy Spirit can be grieved by sin, and as we all know, grief is a definite emotion.<br />
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We also learn that the Holy Spirit has a will. His will is shown in the sovereign bestowal of spiritual gifts on men, which is accomplished “as he wills.” First Corinthians 12:11 shows this plainly, “All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing (or distributing) to every man severally (or individually) as he wills.”<br />
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<strong>The Holy Spirit Is a Comforter</strong><br />
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We have established that the Holy Spirit is God – the Third Person of the Trinity. We also know that He is a person by showing He has intellect, emotion and a will. But what does the Holy Spirit do?<br />
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Many books have been written about what the Holy Spirit does. I could easily spend hours explaining all that He does. However, today I am going to explain four things that the Holy Spirit does:<br />
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• The Holy Spirit is a Comforter<br />
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• The Holy Spirit is a Counselor<br />
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• The Holy Spirit is a teacher<br />
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• The Holy Spirit convicts<br />
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Let me begin by explaining how the Holy Spirit comforts us. In fact, Jesus called Him “another Comforter.” Look again at John 14:16. Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever...”<br />
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What did Jesus mean when He said, “He shall give you another Comforter?” Jesus said that because “Comforter” was also one of Jesus’ titles. He was saying that the Holy Spirit would be “another” like Jesus. Just as Jesus is our Comforter, so too is the Holy Spirit a Comforter. A comforter is a helper or an advocate who we can call on for help in time of need. The Holy Spirit is ever ready to strengthen and comfort us when we are in distress.<br />
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Isn’t it interesting that Jesus used the title “Comforter” to describe the Holy Spirit? Is it possible that He used this term because Jesus understands how often we need comfort?<br />
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When do we need comfort?<br />
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• We need comfort when we feel alone.<br />
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• We need comfort when others turn against us.<br />
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• We need comfort when everything seems to be falling apart.<br />
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• We need comfort when we have to be separated from someone we love due to a divorce, a job transfer, a move, when military duty calls, or when death has touched those near and dear to us.<br />
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Jesus knew first hand about separation. The time of His arrest and crucifixion was drawing near. As Jesus met with His disciples in the “upper room,” He explained to them many things. Jesus knew that He was about to be separated from His disciples, and He knew that they would need comfort during the trying times that lay ahead. Jesus promised his disciples the continuing presence of the Spirit as a remedy against the sadness caused by His departure.<br />
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Know that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. He reminds us that we can depend on God’s Word in the difficult times of life, and He uses the Word to give us His peace, His love, and His joy. These are profound truths that comfort our hearts and minds as we attempt to live our everyday lives in this troubled world.<br />
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<strong>The Holy Spirit is a Counselor</strong><br />
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The next thing the Holy Spirit does is counsel. John 14:26 records Jesus’ words concerning the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Jesus said, “He shall teach you all things.<br />
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When do we need a counselor? We need a counselor when we need advice. We need a counselor when we are confused. We need a counselor when we are full of doubt. We need a counselor when we simply don’t understand.<br />
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Many things in this world are just plain confusing. Why does evil seem to go unpunished? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? Why? Why? Why?<br />
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Perhaps you are troubled and confused today. You don’t understand why you can’t seem to find a decent job. You don’t know why the person you love left you. You are uncertain about your financial future. You don’t understand why things never seem to go your way.<br />
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The Holy Spirit counsels us in situations we don’t understand. He helps us and strengthens us. He understands each of us personally and intimately, and knows how to help us exactly the way we need Him to. That is why it is so important for us to listen to His guidance and counsel in every situation.<br />
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<strong>The Holy Spirit is a Teacher</strong><br />
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Jesus was a Counselor to His disciples. He helped them understand many things, but His time on earth was drawing to a close. In John 16, Jesus speaks of leaving, but He has already assured them that the Holy Spirit will come to teach them.<br />
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So, what does the Holy Spirit teach? He teaches us all about God's Word. Second Peter 1:20-21 reads, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit shows us that the Bible did not come from man’s imagination. The words belong to God.<br />
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The Holy Spirit also teaches us about life. We read in John 14:26, “He shall teach you all things.” He teaches us how to walk, how to talk, how to live our lives, how to deal with difficult situations, how to handle our finances, how to handle our relationships. He teaches us all things … the Christian way.<br />
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The Holy Spirit also teaches us all about Jesus. Jesus said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (John 16:13-15).<br />
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<strong>The Holy Spirit Convicts</strong><br />
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The final thing I am going to tell you is that the Holy Spirit convicts. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to the world. This is one of the primary reasons why the Holy Spirit is making His residence in the world in this age. According to the words of Christ, “When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).<br />
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This work of the Spirit is important, so let me break it down a bit. The first part of this threefold work is that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin.<br />
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People have consciences. We all have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. The Holy Spirit prods the conscience about sin. He let’s us know when we are doing wrong, and when we are doing wrong we usually feel guilty.<br />
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So, what is the purpose of conviction? The purpose of conviction is to bring us to Christ.<br />
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The Holy Spirit reveals that the greatest issue between the unsaved and God is “the sin of unbelief.” The destiny of an unsaved person is determined by whether he believes in Christ. The Holy Spirit reveals that it is necessary to believe in Christ to be saved.<br />
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The second part of this threefold work is that the Holy Spirit convicts of the lack of righteousness. This is necessary because Christ is no longer bodily present on earth. While Christ was on earth, His presence and His teaching demonstrated the righteousness of God. However, when Christ ascended into heaven, it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to undertake this ministry.<br />
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Christ demonstrated a perfect life, but we fall far short of this perfect standard. We are all sinners. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”<br />
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The Holy Spirit reveals to the unsaved that there is available through Christ an imputed righteousness which God gives the believer. In other words, the righteousness of Jesus Christ satisfies all the criteria necessary to share in God’s grace.<br />
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The last part of this threefold work is that the Holy Spirit convicts of judgment. The Holy Spirit presses upon the heart of the unsaved the fact of God’s judgment. Sin was judged at the cross, and for those who trust in Christ there is deliverance from judgment from sin and deliverance from condemnation.<br />
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Please understand that the Spirit does not coerce (or force) our conviction. There is no arm-twisting, trickery, or physical force involved in bringing us to faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit simply uses God’s Word to convince us that Jesus is “the <strong>way</strong>, the <strong>truth</strong>, and the <strong>life</strong>” (John 14:6).<br />
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So there you have it. We have learned a little about who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. We have also learned that He is our Comforter, Counselor, teacher, and He convicts.<br />
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What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today? Have you already responded to His conviction? If not, it is not too late.<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-77282238692700016022010-03-07T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-07T08:10:18.078-05:00The Pursuit of Happiness<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>(John 15:11)</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you know that God wants us to be happy?</div><br />
The Bible is full of Scriptures which confirm that God wants us to be full of joy and happiness.<br />
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• Psalm 40:16 reads, “But may all who seek you [God] rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, The LORD be exalted!"<br />
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• Psalm 105:3 reads, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”<br />
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• And, don’t forget Matthew 25:21, “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”<br />
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There can be no doubt that God wants us to be happy and is pleased when we are happy. Christians are to be a joyful people.<br />
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Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.” <br />
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When I think of how blessed we are to live in this land and all of the abundant freedoms we enjoy, it is difficult to understand why so many people are unhappy. The majority of Americans, and among them some Christians, cannot truly say, “I am happy!” In fact, according to the book, Are You Happy?, by Dennis Wholey, only 20 percent of Americans are happy. <br />
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So how is it that the majority of citizens in one of the most blessed nations on earth are unhappy? How can it be that some of the most religious and spiritually blessed people in the world are professing their own unhappiness? What possible explanations can be found for all this unhappiness, especially when the Bible is full of Scriptures that speak of God’s desire for our happiness and which provide guidelines that will lead us to real happiness?<br />
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Abraham Lincoln observed that, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and centuries before Lincoln, the Roman Emperor Marcus Antonius said, “No man is happy who does not think himself so.” <br />
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When it comes down to it, the unhappiness of Americans and Christians in particular, is a result of not having a proper attitude toward the people, things, and circumstances which we encounter every day. The Scriptures indicate that this happiness which we all seek is found only by properly ordering our lives in relation to God and His will.<br />
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Let’s develop this idea more by considering four specific principles that govern happiness.<br />
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• Happiness cannot be found in having everything you desire.<br />
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• Happiness cannot be found by trying to be someone different than we are.<br />
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• Happiness cannot be found on the other side of the fence.<br />
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• Happiness cannot be found by disobeying God.<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong>Principle #1</strong><br />
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The first principle that governs happiness is the understanding that happiness cannot be found in having everything you desire.<br />
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The American preacher Henry Van Dyke said, “It is better to desire the things we have, than to have the things we desire.”<br />
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King Solomon learned this lesson the hard way. After having sought every desire of his heart, he said, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)<br />
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Solomon was possibly the richest man that ever lived and he indulged every desire, whim and inclination he had – but when all was said and done he was miserable – his life was empty and his spirit was greatly troubled.<br />
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Former Senator Chauncey Depew said, “Unhappy is the man who is not so much dissatisfied with what he has as with what the other fellow possesses.” Mr. Depew recognized that too many of us make ourselves unhappy because we covet the possessions of other people. Charles Spurgeon recognized this truth and observed, “Happiness is being satisfied with what we have got and with what we haven’t got.” <br />
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Both of these men understood what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Tim. 6:6-10).<br />
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Paul understood that we can easily deceive ourselves into believing that others are happier than we are because of their possessions. Therefore, we struggle to have what they have in order to be as “happy” as we perceive they are. This vicious cycle of struggling “to keep up with the Jones” fills our lives with sadness and many disappointments.<br />
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Solomon finally figured out, “All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). He learned things do not make us happy.<br />
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<strong>Principle #2</strong><br />
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The second principle that governs happiness is in knowing we will not be happy seeking to be someone different than we are.<br />
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The American clergyman Charles A. Stoddard observed, “We love in others what we lack in ourselves, and would be everything but what we are.”<br />
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I have heard people say one time or another, “I would be so happy if I could sing like her …” or “I know that I would be happy if I had the money he has …” or “If I looked like her I could have any man I want …”<br />
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Know that none of us will ever be happy until we are able to accept ourselves as we are. God created us as we are for a reason. He has a purpose for each of us. He uses the unique abilities that He gave us to allow the church to function at its best.<br />
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The Bible recognized that we each have limitations in ability, personality, and resources. Jesus illustrated this truth in the parable of the talents.<br />
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If you recall the story, there were three men each having his own talent (or ability) (Matthew 25:15). The Lord expected each one to manage the talent(s) he possessed. When the man with the one talent failed to do anything with the talent he had, God condemned the man. He condemned him not because he was not like the other two, but rather because he did not use the talent (ability) he had.<br />
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Basically, there are three kinds of people in the world – the “wills,” the “won’ts,” and the “can’ts.” The first accomplish everything! The second oppose everything! The third fails at everything! Too, many of us are failing because we will not do what we can do and find happiness doing it.<br />
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<strong>Principle #3</strong><br />
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The third principle that governs happiness is knowing that happiness cannot be found on the other side of the fence.<br />
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You may have heard the expression, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Don’t fool yourself. That is rarely the case.<br />
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American author James Oppenheim discovered that “the foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise man grows it under his feet.” It is important that you know that you can be happy wherever you are.<br />
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Israel’s experience in the wilderness is a good example of how people blame where they are living for their problems rather than examine their own attitude and actions.<br />
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You may remember that the nation of Israel was in bondage and under terrible persecution by the Egyptians. God sent Moses to deliver them out of their slavery and into a new land flowing with milk and honey. The idea of escaping their suffering thrilled them and they were excited to leave Egypt and follow Moses. <br />
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However, once the hardships began to happen, their views of Egypt changed. Now all they thought about was all the good food they left behind – the garlic, melon, leeks, onions and cucumbers. They knew that if they could just get back to Egypt, things would be better. While in the desert, God gave them water, manna and quail and still they murmured and complained every step of the way.<br />
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Finally, God showed them the Promised Land, and it was truly a land flowing with milk and honey. But, fear of the unknown overwhelmed them and once again they lacked faith in the Lord and began wishing they were back in Egypt.<br />
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Israel could not be happy anywhere, until they had God in the center of their hearts. Caleb’s response to Israel’s fear and doubt of the majority was, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30). The fearful, the doubtful and the negative will never be happy no matter where they go.<br />
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<strong>Principle #4</strong><br />
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The fourth principle that governs happiness is in knowing that happiness cannot be found in disobeying God.<br />
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Jesus gave us an accurate picture of those who live in disobedience to God in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). If you have heard or have read the story, this young man was certain that his life would be joyful and satisfying if he could just get away from his father and all his rules (oh, and have his all his inheritance as well). That sounds like a lot of people today -- the young and not so young. They want to live life without any rules, without any obligations, without any responsibilities. They do not want to work, nor do they want to answer to any authority.<br />
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You will remember that the young man went away from his father into a strange land where there were more people just like he wanted to be. At some point he was friendless and penniless. The young man who wanted to be free of his father was reduced to being a servant and feeding pigs. Fortunately, the young man came to his senses. He changed his attitude, his mind and his heart. He went home and submitted to his father.<br />
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It is amazing that young people sometimes think they are the only ones’ who have to obey rules, submit to authority and yield to the wishes of others. But, let me tell you, everyone has to submit to someone. That is life.<br />
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Jeremiah the prophet observed, “It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.” (Lamentations 3:27). That is the kind of training that prepares one for what life will throw at us. Learning to wait, learning to serve, learning to endure, learning even to turn the other cheek is what makes men of character. That is the kind of life that produces happiness because those are the kind of people who succeed and achieve.<br />
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Men who reject God and refuse to obey him are unhappy. Who are the most miserable and discontented people in our land today? It is those who can but will not work, those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, those who have no regard for morality, and those who lie, cheat, steal and kill.<br />
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Satan wants us to believe that these free livers are the happy ones, but Solomon told us well, “Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools…” (Ecclesiastes 7:6). They make a big blaze, but there is no heat. In other words, appearances are deceiving.<br />
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God wants you to be happy and He has made it possible for you to be truly happy through Jesus Christ. All that is left for us to do is make up our minds that we want to be happy.<br />
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When we understand that happiness cannot be found in having everything you desire; when we know we will not be happy trying to be someone other than ourselves; when we know that happiness cannot be found on the other side of the fence; and when we understand that happiness is not found in disobeying God, we can live a life full of joy and happiness.<br />
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So I ask you … are you ready to be happy?<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-65711490386966872012010-02-27T21:07:00.000-05:002010-02-27T21:07:41.767-05:00Be Thou An Example<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)</em></strong></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I once read that when Gen. George C. Marshall took command of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, he found the post in a run-down condition. Rather than issue orders for specific improvements, he simply got out his own paintbrushes and lawn equipment, and went to work on his personal quarters. The other officers and men, first on his block, then throughout the post, did the same thing, and soon Fort Benning was looking good again. Gen. Marshall showed leadership by example.</div><br />
The Apostle Paul was a great advocate of leadership by example, and it is reflected in his writings. First Timothy is one of three letters written by Paul to two of his associates – Timothy and Titus. The letters are called the Pastoral Letters because they are full of advice on how to pastor a church.<br />
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Timothy, who was ministering to the early Christians in Ephesus, was one of Paul’s most beloved and devoted associates. Paul’s letter provided Timothy with insightful guidelines for public worship, selection of church leaders, dealing with false teachers, and advice on being a good minister.<br />
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In this passage of Scripture, Paul gives Timothy instructions on how a young minister can operate in authority despite his youth. They are important instructions because they certainly apply to us as well. Just as Timothy was told to be an example, it is important that we as believers also heed Paul’s advice.<br />
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Paul basically was telling Timothy that it is not enough as a minister to just teach the Word of God, but a good minister must live the Word of God. In other words, “if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk.”<br />
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Paul lists six areas that refer to various aspects of our life, and in this he presents a blueprint of how a good minister (or a good Christian) is supposed to act. So, let’s look at each of these areas.<br />
<a name='more'></a>In verse 12 it tells says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”<br />
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The first area Paul mentions is <strong>word</strong>. This refers to our speech in private as well as in public, our tone of voice as well as the words we say, our speech with Christians as well as with non-Christians, our speech within our families as well as with those outside the family. As ministers (or believers) our speech should always be Christ like.<br />
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Secondly, Paul uses the word <strong>conversation</strong>. This refers to our conduct or behavior. As children of God, we should behave in a Christ like manner. This extends to how we treat others, how we use our time, how we react when wronged, and how we interact with authority. Our conduct should be both gentle and godly.<br />
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Someone came out with a bumper sticker a while back that read, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” As men and women of God our behavior should be our evidence.<br />
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Paul told Timothy that a good minister (or believer) should also be an example in <strong>charity</strong>. By charity, Paul was referring to love.<br />
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Jesus, who is the supreme model of a minister, said in Matthew 22:37-39, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”<br />
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A Christian’s love for one another is the insignia of true discipleship. This affection is the normal experience of all who are born of God. This includes showing love for those who treat us well, as well as those who do not.<br />
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Following conversation, Paul lists the word <strong>spirit</strong>. This refers to having a proper attitude in the manner and disposition in which we do things. We must not do holy or charitable work in an unholy or uncharitable spirit. All of our good works will crumble if they are not carried out with a good attitude.<br />
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Paul also refers to <strong>purity</strong>. This means we are to be pure in thought and behavior befitting a child of God.<br />
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In Old Testament times a priest went through a purification ceremony upon entering his holy office. He was once-for-all cleansed by a whole bathing. However, even though he was wholly bathed, he was required to be cleansed repeatedly by a partial bathing at the brazen laver before undertaking any priestly service.<br />
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As New Testament priests (or believers) we are wholly and once-for-all cleansed at the moment we are saved, and by virtue of our salvation we are set apart unto God. Rather than washing at a brazen laver, we are at all times required to confess every known sin in order that we may be cleansed and qualified for fellowship with God.<br />
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And, finally, we come to the word <strong>faith</strong>. Faith is believing God completely, and trusting Him completely in good and bad times. Noah best represents the word faith. Hebrews 11:7 reads, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.”<br />
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God told Noah to build an ark, and it was through Noah’s faith that he obeyed. His faith told him to believe God would destroy all living things with a flood. His faith drove him to build a seafaring boat on dry land. Each stroke of his brush as he coated the ark with pitch spoke faith. Each swing of his axe spoke faith. Each blow of his hammer spoke faith. His faith sustained him as people around him called him a fool. His faith kept him as he preached for 120 years, and at the end not one person went into the ark with him besides his family. It was by faith Noah gathered his family and the animals into the ark. And, it was by faith that he remained steadfast as the Lord sealed them in.<br />
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Charles Spurgeon once said, “Faith must be a constant tenant, not an occasional guest.” As men and women of God we must, like Noah, believe, obey, act, and show our faith. <br />
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The words we say, the things we do, and the decisions we make all matter to the glory of God, and can make a great difference in the lives of those watching us. I once read something that said, “People look at a minister six days out of the week to see what he meant on the seventh.”<br />
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That same thing applies to every believer. There are many people out there watching how we live our lives. Our unsaved neighbors, friends, co-workers, and others are checking us out to see if we are truly living a Christian life or just pretending. <br />
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There is no better sermon than a good example, and Paul shows us that our lives are the most effective tools that we have in sharing the message of Christ. Our word, conduct, love, spirit, purity and faith should all represent who Christ is. The great commission is not just what we say, but it is how we live our lives.<br />
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I encourage you to listen to Paul’s advice and work on being the type of person who is a good example to other believers and to non-believers alike. You never know … your good example may be just what someone needs to lead them to Christ.<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-74501896814867033102010-02-13T15:17:00.001-05:002010-02-13T22:59:49.860-05:00God’s Great Circle of Love<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another”</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(1 John 4:10-11).</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! It was once a day set aside for lovers to send each other tokens of love and affection, such as flowers, candy, and gifts. However, today the tradition has expanded beyond intimate love. School children give small paper valentine cards to their classmates. Mothers send valentine cards to their children. Children give flowers to their mother. Friends send e-cards to friends. The list goes on and on.</div><br />
The Bible is the great book of love. Within its pages we find many stories of people who loved greatly. Who is not moved by the passion presented in the Song of Solomon, a poem which expresses one man’s love for a woman? Some believe it represents God’s love for the Church, but I will leave that for another message. Just know that one of the major themes of the Bible is “God Is Love.”<br />
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The Apostle John is considered by many the Disciple of Love, because many of his writings illustrate God’s love for us. John saw himself as the recipient of Christ’s love and he called for believers to love one another. He also appealed for us to refuse to love the world or the things in the world.<br />
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In his writings, John reveals the reach and rationale for love in the Christian life. In doing so he presents three ideas: 1) God first loved us; 2) because God loves us we ought then to love one another; and 3) there is a great circle of love: from God to us to others and back to God.<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong>Where Love Starts</strong><br />
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John shows us in 1 John 4:10 that love starts with God, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us.…”<br />
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Earlier in that chapter John tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Just read John 3:16 and you will know that God is not a god of hate. If He was a god of hate then He would have destroyed us long ago. Instead, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”<br />
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John wants us to know that we do not seek out God; rather He is the original seeker. Romans 3:11 tells us, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” God seeks after us. We may believe that “we have found God” but in reality He draws us to Him. Seeking God is simply the act of responding to His love.<br />
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Know that God loved us from the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that, “according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world….” Did you get that? God chose us before the foundation of the world. He planned ahead for our salvation, and that redemption came in the form of a slain lamb.<br />
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<strong>What Love Spends</strong><br />
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In 1 John 4:10, John shows us that there is a cost to be paid for our sins, and Christ paid that price for us – God “… loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”<br />
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In the Old Testament days God demanded a blood sacrifice be made to atone for ones sins. People would bring an offering of an animal or bird to a priest to serve as that sacrifice. The term is called propitiation means an atoning sacrifice. John tells us that Christ’s death on the cross was the propitiation for our sins.<br />
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Teacher and preacher, H. A. Ironside, once explained the reason for Christ’s sacrifice. He said, “In those hours of darkness God was dealing with His Son about that awful question, and there He bore in His inmost soul the judgment that you and I would have to bear ourselves for all eternity if left without a Savior. Thus He (Christ) became the propitiation.”<br />
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<strong>Where Love Sends</strong><br />
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John tells us that, “if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. “ (1 John 4:11).<br />
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Receiving love brings with it responsibility. God loves us; therefore we are to love one another. That does not mean that we are only to love those who are close to us, or related to us, or those we are attracted to. We are not only to love those who look like us, or act like us, or live in the same country as us. God does not differentiate, and neither should we.<br />
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Jesus commanded us to “love one another” as He loved us (John 15:12). This kind of love goes beyond mire words. We are to love one another both in deed and in truth. There is no room for selfishness or excuses with this kind of love. <br />
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God’s love also sends us to others with the Gospel. We should love others enough to be willing to reach out to them with the soul-saving Word of God. We need to reach out to our unsaved family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community.<br />
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We also need to be willing to reach the entire world with God’s Word. Jesus’ command to love others is not limited by our boarders. Jesus was not just sent to save us, but 1 John 2:2 tells us, “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” <br />
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You have the power to share Jesus with the rest of the world, but you do not have to become a missionary and travel out of your country to do this.<br />
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For example, God has put it in my heart to reach others with His Word, and I have found the Internet to be a wonderful tool for that task.<br />
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So far I have been blessed to have people follow my blog from not only all over the United States, but also from other parts of the world … New Zealand … Australia … China … England … Jamaica … Spain … Canada … This past week I put a flag counter on my blog site that has since recorded hits from German, India, Trinidad, and Saudi Arabia. I’m not trying to brag. I’m just trying to illustrate what a powerful tool we have with the Internet.<br />
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If you are reading this blog, then you already know the many ways messages can be communicated through the Internet … through written word, video, and art, and music.<br />
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This is a message that is not complicated to understand. All you have to know is that God created a great circle of love that we can all participate in. That circle begins with God … extends to us … is shared with others … and returns to God again.<br />
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So, tomorrow as you soak in all of the love from those who remembered you on Valentines Day, also remember that God first loved you. Accept it and share it!<br />
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May God bless you, and know that I love you too!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-88338539224089021032010-02-07T05:00:00.005-05:002010-02-07T12:42:41.226-05:00Be an Encourager<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:36-37)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A couple of weeks ago one of my readers honored me with a Best Blog award. The award did not come with a golden trophy. No fancy dinner was thrown in my honor. The event was not televised or written up in <em>The New York Times</em>. But to me the award was special. It meant that someone cared enough about what I have been writing about to show me some appreciation. The award came at a good time, because I needed a few words of encouragement.</div><br />
I have since passed the honor on to 15 fellow bloggers, and I have found by reading their comments and blog postings that many of them were just as encouraged.<br />
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Inspirational writer William Arthur Ward once wrote, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”<br />
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We live in a world that has so many let downs and disappointments that it is refreshing when you receive a few words of encouragement.<br />
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The Bible records the life of one man who made it is mission to encourage others. If we could be more like this person, it would transform our homes, churches, and communities.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The book of Acts introduces us to this man: “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)” (Acts 4:36). <br />
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Barnabas lived during the first century. His given name was Joseph, but the custom of the day was to give a person a nickname that best described that person. Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement,” and since Joseph was a man who encouraged people, it was natural that he would be called Barnabas.<br />
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I thank God for people who have been like Barnabas to me over the years. My sister-in-law Bessie is one of them. There have been times in my life where I have felt the pain of discouragement, but God graciously put her in my life to encourage me to lift my head high and continue on. She has a knack for bringing out the best in others through her simple words of encouragement. God has given her a special gift that she shares unselfishly. <br />
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The world desperately needs more encouragers like Bessie and Barnabas. Barnabas was the kind of person who didn’t walk away from those who faltered, failed or stumbled. Instead he would help them back on their feet, and give them an encouraging word.<br />
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Evidence of the encouraging nature of Barnabas can be found in the book of Acts. Acts 9 gives us the account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a man who hated Christians. He believed that it was his mission to wipe out the Christian movement. His plan was to go to Damascus and bring back in chains any Christians he found to Jerusalem.<br />
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However, on his way to Damascus, an amazing thing happened to Saul. In the hot Syrian sun, there appeared the blinding presence of Jesus.<br />
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The blinding light caused Saul to lose his sight “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4), Saul cried out, “Who art thou, Lord?” It was then that Saul was introduced to Jesus.<br />
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Yes, the light had caused Saul to lose his physical sight, but he realized that he had been blind much longer; not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. He had been blind to the truth about Jesus. Saul was saved that day.<br />
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If you want to learn more about the conversion of Saul I would encourage you to read Acts 9. What I will tell you is that Saul's sight is restored and instead of bringing chains to the Christians of Damascus, Saul began preaching about Jesus.<br />
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Saul returned to Jerusalem, but not with Christian prisoners in tow. Instead he wanted to be a part of the Christian community. He was ready to work for the Lord. Why is it that so many of God's best workers are new converts? Unfortunately, the Christians feared Saul was trying to trick them and that he really wanted to betray them.<br />
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It was Barnabas who went out on a limb for Saul. You can almost hear his words of encouragement to Saul:<br />
<ul><li>"Don't be afraid!"</li>
<li>"Let God use you."</li>
<li>"God didn't bring you this far to let you fail."</li>
<li>"I believe in you!"</li>
<li>"Don't give up!"</li>
</ul>It was Barnabas who brought Saul before the apostles and “declared unto them how he [Saul] had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9:27)<br />
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No, Barnabas is not known for doing miracles, but it was through the God-led encouragement of Barnabas that Saul was able to gain the trust of the Christian Church and go on to become Paul the great missionary leader of the Bible.<br />
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Words of encouragement cost nothing, but the power they weld can change lives.<br />
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Know that that we need people in the church like Barnabas. We need people like Barnabas who will be encouragers. We need people who will reach out to those who have stumbled and fallen. We need people who will reach out to those who are discouraged and broken. We need people who will help draw them back to the Savior. We need people like Barnabas who will make it their task to be sons and daughters of encouragement.<br />
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Many times in the New Testament we see the word “exhort.” The word literally means “to encourage.” See how we are told to exhort, or encourage, one another.<br />
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• “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)<br />
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• “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)<br />
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• “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1)<br />
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• “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” (Acts 15:32)<br />
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We need to regularly encourage one another. The church should be a place where we receive encouragement and strength. It should be a place where people help one another rather than hurt one another. If we don’t start encouraging people in our churches, then we are going to continue to see people who were once very active in the service of the Lord simply walk away. <br />
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We need people like Barnabas who will make it their task to be encouragers. We need people to be on the lookout for those who are hurting, doubting, fallen, and who have lost faith. They are the ones who need the most encouragement.<br />
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I challenge you today to start encouraging one another. You might begin by telling someone how much they mean to you, or how they have touched your life in a special way. You might share with them your testimony of how God brought you back from the blink of despair.<br />
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You never know, that person you encourage today might just change the world for the good tomorrow.<br />
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If we could all become like Barnabas it would transform our churches, homes, and communities. I encourage each of you to start today.<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-14093171855843035572010-01-30T19:12:00.000-05:002010-01-30T19:12:42.033-05:00Marking The Path Has Won An Award!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VSBwBioRzzI/S2I4cC8JDgI/AAAAAAAAABw/DJVPExTunFQ/s1600-h/bestblog_award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VSBwBioRzzI/S2I4cC8JDgI/AAAAAAAAABw/DJVPExTunFQ/s200/bestblog_award.jpg" width="200" /></a>Thank you to Susan from <strong><a href="http://thereliantself.blogspot.com/">The Reliant Self</a></strong> for nominating <strong>Marking The Path</strong> for the <strong>Best Blog Award</strong>. Susan's blog is written in a very entertaining style that provides informative tips on everything from how to make your own soap, preparing for an emergency, what to do with powdered milk, and much more. Where were you during Y2K? A great site! Visit her when you get a chance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>The Best Blog Award rules:</strong></div><br />
To accept the award, you must post it on your blog along with the name of the person who has honored you with the award, and include a link to his/her blog. Then you must choose 15 other blogs that you believe deserve the honor of <em>Best Blog</em>. You must contact each of the bloggers you choose and let them know you have honored them. Include a link to your post, along with the rules, so they will know what to do. <br />
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It was not an easy task choosing which 15 bloggers to give this award to, because so many people deserve this honor. Here are my picks in no particular order:<br />
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<a href="http://nikonsniper.blogspot.com/">Nikon Sniper</a> – I absolutely love Stephen Baird's photos. Very talented!<br />
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<a href="http://handmaidensjourney.blogspot.com/">A Handmaiden’s Journey</a> – Alli shares her experiences as a young believer in a fresh and honest way.<br />
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<a href="http://artisanofthehumanspirit.blogspot.com/">Artisan of the Human Spirit</a> – Tony provides an award-winning view on Christian living.<br />
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<a href="http://urbanchristianz.blogspot.com/">Christian Thoughts</a> – Sonya has a big heart for helping people "navigate life."<br />
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<a href="http://fadedladies.blogspot.com/">Faded Ladies</a> – Deb and Rose are two lovely ladies who practice the fine art of encouragement, while burning the candle at both ends. I'm praying for you Rose!<br />
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<a href="http://bebeautyforashes.blogspot.com/">Good Morning Ladies</a> – A beautiful person who urges us to keep going no matter what life brings.<br />
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<a href="http://harmony-uniquelyhis.blogspot.com/">Harmony – Uniquely His</a> – I enjoy Shirley's loving but honest views on life.<br />
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<a href="http://johnbturner.blogspot.com/">John Threesixteen</a> – John is a man who truly loves the Lord and loves to share God’s Word with others.<br />
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<a href="http://plainjanebryant.blogspot.com/">Joy Unspeakable</a> – Jane is a person whose mission is to help others find their joy … and she does it so well.<br />
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<a href="http://justasinnersthoughts.blogspot.com/">Just a Sinner’s Thoughts</a> – One of my first readers … TheSinner brings fresh insight into "real" Christian living.<br />
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<a href="http://writing4heaven.blogspot.com/">Writing4Heaven</a> – Kromagg73 shares his honest insights into the up and downs of the life of a believer.<br />
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<a href="http://usk8usk8.blogspot.com/">U|SK8</a> – I applaud these young men who live by the theme “Skate Hard! Pray Hard!”<br />
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<a href="http://mendedspirit.blogspot.com/">The Journey to Destiny</a> – LaVetta is a beautiful person who has dedicated her blog to motivating fellow believers. Very inspiring!<br />
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<a href="http://www.beamingbalance.com/">The Balance Beam</a> – Charlene uses humor to help her readers learn how to find balance in their life.<br />
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<a href="http://untraveledpath.blogspot.com/">Untraveled Path</a> - Costume Queen came up with a great idea to invite bloggers to celebrate 14 Days of Thankfulness. The 14 days have come and gone, but the site is still very interesting to return to.<br />
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Susan, thanks again for the award. I believe it is important to encourage one another, and you have certainly encouraged me. I think I feel a sermon coming on ...<br />
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May God bless you all!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-26095299645379347812010-01-24T05:00:00.002-05:002010-01-24T05:00:00.617-05:00Overcoming Troubles<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(Habakkuk 3:17-19)</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">General George Armstrong Custer is a name familiar to everyone. He was an Indian fighter in the west over a hundred years ago. Despite all of his bravery, he is best known for his defeat to the Sioux Indians at the Little Big Horn River. His troop was ambushed, and all 250 men perished.<br />
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But there was one way that Custer could have easily won the battle against the Sioux. If Sitting Bull had sent his braves one by one against Custer, instead of sending all of them at once, the Sioux could have easily been beaten, and the history books would read quite differently today.<br />
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It’s a lot like troubles. If troubles would just come one by one, we could easily defeat them. But when troubles come, they come in squadrons against us, and they overwhelm us, just as Custer was overwhelmed at the Little Big Horn.<br />
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You all know what I’m talking about. At times we have troubles that just seem to gang up on us all at once …<br />
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• The dog runs away …<br />
• Our arthritis acts up …<br />
• Bills are coming in faster than the money to pay them …<br />
• Our children won’t act right …<br />
• The car breaks down …<br />
• When our spouse walks away …<br />
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I could go on and on and on. We can handle our troubles one at a time, but they never seem to come just one at a time.<br />
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Psalm 118 attests well to the coming of trouble: “all nations surround me …. They surround me on every side …. They surround me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns … I was pushed so hard that I was falling!” (Psalm 118:10-13 RSV)<br />
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Trouble is a familiar foe. It seems to have a pass key to every home, and a reserved seat at our dining room table.<br />
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We can understand when trouble comes to the wicked and ungodly. After all don’t their actions deserve the trouble they get into? But when trouble comes to us or to other innocent people, it is a far different matter. <br />
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There seems to be four different attitudes we take towards trouble when it comes knocking at our door. There is unbelieving … intellectualizing … resigning … and believing.<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong>Unbelieving</strong><br />
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First, there is the attitude of unbelief. When trouble raises its ugly head, we can become cynical, uncertain, or unbelieving. We can even allow trouble to shake our faith in God.<br />
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Writer John Gossip once said, “Some people, when belief comes hard, fling away their Christian faith altogether. But, in heaven’s name, fling my faith away for what?”<br />
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Gossip was no stranger to trouble. He was speaking from the depths of his own personal disaster. He had served as a chaplain during the First World War, which gave him a front row seat in seeing the horrors of battle. He had also experienced the sudden death of his beloved wife.<br />
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However, rather than allow his troubles to shake his faith, instead he wrote some of the most inspirational messages of his life.<br />
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I want to ask you all … what can take the place of faith in the face of trouble?<br />
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The answer is nothing. Discarding our faith is never the answer to our troubles. Instead, we should be more like the first disciples who witnessed many people turning away from following Jesus because they felt his teachings were too difficult for them to follow. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Will you also go away?” They replied, “Lord, where else shall we go? You alone have the words of life” (John 6:6-7ff).<br />
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Though things may happen that make it hard, at first glance, to believe in God’s providence, we have no other option but to believe. In our world, it is either swim with Jesus or drown in the despair which results from our pitiful attempts at solving our own troubles. <br />
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<strong>Intellectualizing</strong><br />
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Another attitude we can take when trouble comes is to demand total intellectual understanding.<br />
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We can refuse to be satisfied until we know all the reasons for all the troubles of life. When something bad happens to us, we demand to know a cause; and, if there is no immediate cause detectable, we invent one.<br />
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Most of us have heard about the man name Job. Job was a righteous man who lost all of his possessions and children in a single day.<br />
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In the midst of his suffering, Job’s three friends came to comfort him, but their real interest was an intellectual one. They wanted to use Job as a guinea pig to understand in their minds why all these troubles had come upon him. They turned his tragedies into riddles to be solved by reasoning and went to great lengths analyzing and speculating and theorizing about their causes.<br />
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Job wasn’t satisfied with the explanations his friends proposed. But as many of us do, he got caught up with them in the game of seeking an explanation. Then he took the game to the ultimate point, and demanded of God a reasonable, intellectual explanation for why things had happened as they had. However, God did not give Job an answer at all.<br />
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Frederick Buechner points out the God did not comply with Job’s demands for the simple reason that Job did not have the capacity to understand any explanation God could give him. In other words, “explaining fully to Job” would be like trying to explain Einstein’s Theory of Relativity to a fence post.<br />
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The capacity of human understanding is simply not equal to the task of seeing as God sees.<br />
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Sometimes there are things that happen to us in this life in which there seems to be no explanation … the death of a child … the loss of a job after 35 years of service … contracting a serious illness … divorce … or losing all of our possessions and family to some disaster.<br />
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We may not be able to understand why, but God knows why. <br />
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<strong>Resigning</strong><br />
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A third attitude we can take toward our troubles is that of unquestioning resignation. To quote Doris Day, “Que Sera, Sera …” Whatever will be, will be. We can’t change it. We are not to question it. We are just to accept our troubles as God wills.<br />
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Some people truly believe we have no right to question God about anything. But is that really true? Is it wrong to ask God why?<br />
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Today we hear so many instances of people who experience horrible deaths, diseases, and accidents. We read about them in the newspaper. We see the stories on the television. We know of one person or another who has experienced them. Or, we ourselves may have experienced them.<br />
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Isn’t it only natural to request an explanation from God?<br />
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• God, why are so many people shooting one another?<br />
• God, why was New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina?<br />
• God, why did our loved one have to die?<br />
• God, we just want to know.<br />
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Just as a young child might ask his earthly father why his gold fish died; we have a Heavenly Father who is willing to listen to our questions. On the cross, even Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why …?”<br />
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I believe that we are allowed and encouraged to ask God questions. We should not blame Him for our troubles, but we can ask why. We just need to realize that we may not always get an answer, because of our lack of understanding.<br />
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<strong>Believing</strong><br />
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The best attitude we can have when we encounter “heartaches by the number and troubles by the score” is that of faith and trust in God.<br />
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• Faith means -- believing in God even when you don’t understand why something bad has happened.<br />
• Faith means -- continuing to trust him although there appears to be no justice in the world.<br />
• Faith means -- relying on God even when God seems silent and God’s presence seems far away.<br />
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In our text, this kind of faith was expressed by the prophet Habakkuk when he wrote:<br />
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“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV)<br />
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Habakkuk was a prophet of Judah who lived in times that were full of trouble and hard on faith. All around him he saw injustice. The wicked were prospering and the righteous were suffering. Does this sound familiar to anyone?<br />
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Habakkuk cried out to God for justice, but he did not get the answer he expected. Instead God tells Habakkuk that He was about to do a work that he would have trouble believing if he didn’t see it for himself. God told Habakkuk that he would raise up the Babylonians and use them as an instrument of his judgment against the ungodly Hebrews.<br />
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Habakkuk was astonished at God’s answer! You see, the Babylonians were worse than the ungodly people that he’d been complaining about all along. The prophet could not understand how God could use such brutal, wicked people to dispense His justice?<br />
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Habakkuk proceeds to question God’s decision, but just as God did not explain His actions to Job, He does not explain His actions to Habakkuk. <br />
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Instead God assures Habakkuk that He will punish the Babylonians in His own time. But, until that time comes, the righteous are to trust Him and obey His commandments, even though they cannot understand His reasoning or see any sign that He is alive and at work among His people.<br />
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At that moment something stirred in Habakkuk and he confessed his undaunted faith in God. He declared that though everything he’d trusted in and relied on should fail, he would keep perfect faith in the power and providence of the Lord. He would allow no trouble to separate him from his faith.<br />
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Habakkuk was convinced that though the ways of the sinful world are beyond understanding and though God’s timing seemed too slow, he would keep on trusting the Lord because the Lord was the only one who had the power to strengthen him and sustain his life.<br />
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If Habakkuk was alive today, he might say, “Though I lose my job, my health, and my loved ones, yet I will trust the Lord for my restoration. I will rejoice in the LORD … the God of my salvation.”<br />
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We need this kind of faith for the trials and troubles of life. We need this kind of confidence that keeps us believing in God and trusting in Him despite the troubles we face in this life.<br />
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We need to be so sure of God that no matter how dark the day or how gloomy the night, we will maintain our confidence in Him … His love for us …. and His ability to restore.<br />
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This kind of faith is not easy to come by. It is something that is achieved through practice … patience … and persistence.<br />
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Understanding all of these things helped keep Habakkuk believing. And, knowing these next three things will help us increase our faith in hard times.<br />
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We need to trust God’s thoughts … trust God’s timing … and trust God’s techniques.<br />
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<strong>Trust God’s Thoughts</strong><br />
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The first thing that will help us increase our faith is to make the decision to trust the thoughts of God without reservation. In Isaiah 55:9, the Lord said:<br />
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“For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”<br />
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The word “thoughts” refers to more than just the intellectual process. It refers to the intentions, purposes, and plans of God.<br />
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Habakkuk had trouble understanding the means of God’s rescue, but he was determined to trust God anyway. We must do the same. Our problem is that we have a street-level view of life and only see one event at a time.<br />
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The Lord, however, looks down from above and sees all of life at one glance. He sees both the beginning and the end of things while we see only the present moment. We are victims of our limited, street-level view. We must learn to trust the thoughts of God although we can’t see the end of them.<br />
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<strong>Trust God’s Timing</strong><br />
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Not only are God’s thoughts above ours, but his timing is different from our timing.<br />
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If we are going to keep believing during the times of trouble, we must also learn to trust the timing of God.<br />
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God wasn’t acting fast enough for Habakkuk, and it shook his faith. Then he learned what we must learn: God has his own timetable.<br />
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God has already set the time for justice, and he will surely do what he has determined to do. Justice will come as we await his answer in ever-expectant hope.<br />
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Know that God doesn’t measure time as we do. God doesn’t own a clock. God moves on “kairos” time.<br />
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Kairos time is defined as a “moment of an undetermined period of time in which something special happens.” In other words, kairos time is “the appointed time in the purpose of God.”<br />
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When the children of Israel traveled through Egypt to the Promised Land, it took them 40 years. That is a lifetime to us, but not to God.<br />
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Peter tells us, “One day is with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day” (2 Peter 3:8).<br />
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We may operate on Eastern Standard Time, but God operates on Eternal Standard time … and we must learn to trust His timing rather than our own. <br />
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<strong>Trust God’s Techniques</strong><br />
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Finally, we need to trust God’s techniques. Habakkuk determined that although everything else failed, he would keep trusting the Lord because, as he put it, “The Lord is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me walk upon high places.”<br />
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The hind is a mountain-climbing deer known for its strong, steady feet. Habakkuk believed that God would make his feet strong and steady. He would keep him on his feet in the midst of the difficulties and troubles around him.<br />
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That is most often the method of God. God doesn’t always shield us from our troubles, but rather He strengthens us in our troubles. Nowhere does God ever promise us freedom from troubles, but he promises to keep us on our feet in spite of them.<br />
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Let’s look back at the story of Job. Yes, Job got caught up with his friends in the game of seeking an explanation for his trouble. But, God knew what kind of man Job was.<br />
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Job suffered more trouble than any of us ever care to imagine. In one day Job lost all of his possessions through various disasters. His sons and daughters were killed by a tornado that destroyed the house they were partying in. Most of Job’s servants were killed, and Job was afflicted by disease. But in spite of all this, Job continued to worship God (Job 1:13:22).<br />
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In the end, God restored all that Job had lost and more. Job was given twice the number of livestock than he had in the beginning. He was blessed with seven sons and three daughters who were described as the most beautiful in the land, he received an inheritance, and he was allowed to live another 140 years (Job 42:10-17).<br />
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That’s the way God works. He always gives us “hinds feet” to traverse the heights of our troubles, and just in time.<br />
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So no matter what happens to you in this life, keep trusting God.<br />
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Whenever trouble comes …<br />
<br />
• When the car breaks down …<br />
• Or, that nosey neighbor comes to visit …<br />
• Or, when your favorite pet dies …<br />
• Or, your 401k account shrinks in half …<br />
• When the IRS wants to audit you …<br />
• Or, your spouse walks out on you …<br />
• Or, when the whole world seems to be crashing down upon you …<br />
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Remember to trust God’s thoughts … trust God’s timing, and trust God’s techniques.<br />
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<strong>May God Bless You!</strong>Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-14882766246776041512010-01-16T05:00:00.009-05:002010-01-18T17:16:20.069-05:00Getting Reacquainted with Psalm 23<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>(Psalm 23)</strong></em><br />
</div><br />
Psalm 23 has to be one of the most quoted texts in the Bible. This powerful psalm only contains six verses, but they are 118 words that meet us in times of need.<br />
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These words have entered many a sick room. They have been recited at many a funeral. And they have dried many, many tears. But it is our familiarity with this text that may keep us from the daily help this psalm can actually provide. <br />
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Today I want us to get reacquainted with Psalm 23. These gentle, yet powerful words that are as familiar to us as the Lord’s Prayer or John 3:16.<br />
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Let’s discover what makes this psalm so helpful to all who apply its message?<br />
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<strong>We begin with Verse 1, which presents the Shepherd.</strong><br />
<a name='more'></a>The authorship of the 23rd Psalm has been attributed to King David. It’s a psalm written by someone who had lived much – sinned much -- and been greatly forgiven.<br />
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The most significant word in the opening verse is “my.” From the beginning David establishes a relationship; “The Lord is my shepherd…”<br />
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A shepherd is a protector, a provider of food and shelter, and he makes sure that all stay close and are not lost. The sheep come to depend on the shepherd for everything, and he provides it for them because he cares what happens to them. They are valuable to him. <br />
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In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience. He had spent his early years caring for sheep.<br />
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You may recall that in the book of Samuel, before David was involved in the altercation with Goliath, he was caring for his father’s sheep. David and his ancestors knew sheep and their ways. Now he pictures himself as a sheep.<br />
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The comparison between man and a sheep is not foreign to us. Isaiah 53:6 tells us that, “We like sheep have gone astray.” And Jesus also saw people as sheep. In Matt. 9:36, “he was moved with compassion on (the people), because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”<br />
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David pictures himself as a sheep, but this sheep has a great shepherd. What does the New Testament says about this shepherd?<br />
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• John 10, verse 11, tells us, “He is the Good Shepherd who died for us.”<br />
• Hebrews 13:20, reminds us, “He is the Great Shepherd who is risen for us.”<br />
• And, 1 Peter 5:4 acknowledges that, “He is the Chief Shepherd who is coming for us.”<br />
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<strong>Verses 1-5 show us how the Shepherd provides for His sheep.</strong><br />
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Now that David has established that the Lord is his Shepherd, he says, “I shall not want.” Not just, “I do not want” -- but “I shall not want!”<br />
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It is thought that David penned these words in the last years of his life. He had vast riches, but he knew what it meant to want. He wasn’t talking about material gain, but things that matter. He knew that sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. These are things that man needs as well.<br />
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David was at a point in his life that he did not want because he had learned that God is enough. He provides us with everything we need. What an awesome God we serve!<br />
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In Verse 2, David shows us what the Shepherd provides the sheep. It reads, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” This speaks of good food and rest. There are many verses in the Bible that give a feeling of comfort and peace, but this one seems to go beyond that by showing a picture of heaven on earth.<br />
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As you read those words you can almost picture that pasture, with its lush green grass. Grass so soft you could lie down in it and watch the marshmallow clouds float by. The still waters bring to mind a pond in the middle of that pasture. You can imagine sitting next to it, and putting your hand into the water. It is so cool and refreshing.<br />
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Sheep love to eat tender green shoots of grass, and they need rest just as we do. They will also only drink from still water, because they are afraid of running water. There can be a stream nearby, but a sheep will not drink from it. Sheep instinctively know that if they get into a running spring that the water will weigh down their wool and they could drown.<br />
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Also, note that the verse says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…” The sheep don’t necessarily want to rest. They may want to scamper around the pasture a while, but the shepherd knows they will need rest for the journey that lies ahead. So he makes them lie down and rest by the still waters.<br />
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Don’t you know that God sometimes has to make us lie down? How many of you know what I’m talking about? We all have our moments when we refuse to slow down. Our schedules get so crazy that we push ourselves to the max. <br />
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If we won’t slow down, I want you to know, that God will make us lie down. He might do it in the form of a health scare, or an interruption in our employment. But, if we don’t take the time out to rest, God will certainly make us.<br />
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A shepherd provides his sheep with food, rest and still water because he doesn’t want a bunch of undernourished, stressed out, thirsty sheep. He wants them to remain at peace; or they may begin to wander and become lost.<br />
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Our Shepherd wants us to experience comfort and peace as well. When we let Him take care of us we have no worries. It is when we wander off on our own, and try to fend for ourselves, that we run into problems. The food doesn’t taste as good. The water tastes more bitter than sweet. We find it difficult to rest. And, we can become weighed down and drown in the rushing river of life. <br />
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Next, David tells us in Verse 3, “He restoreth my soul...” Webster’s dictionary defines the word “restore” as, “to bring back to or put back into a former or original state.”<br />
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You know sheep aren't the smartest animals in the animal kingdom, so left to themselves sheep often wander off, get lost, and open themselves up to all kinds of danger. A good shepherd will climb mountains and search valleys, until he finds a lost sheep, and brings it back home with much celebration.<br />
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Our Shepherd is no different.<br />
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There are times when all of us are not the brightest crayon in the box. We wander off the "right paths" too. We get spiritually lost, and we expose ourselves to all kinds of danger. At the very least we get distracted by the thorns and holes we encounter along our journey to the point that we miss the turn. We go left when we should have turned right.<br />
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But, there is one Good Shepherd who will go in search of us when we go astray. He too will restore us to the fold with much rejoicing. It is God’s nature to restore that which is lost. <br />
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Now that the sheep has been restored, it is time to move again. The shepherd has mapped out their grazing for the day. He may take the sheep back over the same range, or to a new grazing ground. The sheep do not worry, because the shepherd’s guidance has been good in the past and they have faith in the future because they know he has their well-being in mind.<br />
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Sheep are known to be obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead them in the right places and in the right ways. Our Shepherd is not telling us to go these paths alone. He leads us down these paths. He guides us along the way. Turn to your neighbor and tell her, “He guides us.”<br />
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Then, He doesn’t lead us down just any path. In Verse 3 David writes, “He leadeth me in paths of righteousness...”<br />
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What does that mean? It means walking in uprightness and right standing with God.<br />
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When a person is counted as being righteous by faith, he is regarded as a righteous person or accepted as a righteous person by God because of his faith. Being righteous before God is not an achievement; it is a relationship. <br />
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A shepherd also has a special relationship with his sheep. The sheep trust him and follow him down the path because they have faith in him. It is important for the sheep to follow the shepherd. After all, he is the one that knows where they are going.<br />
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When we allow our Shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. However, when we choose to sin, we go our own way, and we cannot blame God for the problems we run up against.<br />
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Our Shepherd knows the “green pastures” that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following Him obediently. Rebelling against the Shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the Shepherd’s way. <br />
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Verse 3 teaches us that the Shepherd leads us down these paths, “…for his name’s sake.” He doesn’t do it just for the sheep’s sake. The Shepherd does not work for the sheep. It’s not all about us. It is all about God’s glory. It is to the honor of our great Shepherd that we should be a holy people, walking down the path of righteousness. <br />
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<strong>Now as we travel down this path that our Shepherd has laid out for us, we are lead to a valley.</strong><br />
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In Verse 4 David penned the words, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me...”<br />
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It is important to notice that the word “though” means “even though,” or you could say “despite the fact that.”<br />
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Even though I walk through the valley… Did you see the assurance right at the beginning of that verse?<br />
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Even though -- no matter what I may be facing -- no matter what may lie ahead – even though I’m going to walk through this valley… What? I will fear no evil… Why? I will fear no evil, because God is with me.<br />
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Now look at that verse again. This verse doesn’t just read, “…through the valley of death,” it reads, “…through the valley of the shadow of death.”<br />
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Think about this for a moment. Has a shadow ever hurt anyone? If you try and touch a shadow you find it has no substance. So many folks are running from shadows; things that have no substance. <br />
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• They are afraid of the shadow of the unknown.<br />
• They are afraid of the shadow of what has happened.<br />
• And, they are afraid of the shadow of what may happen. <br />
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They are afraid to travel further because they are afraid of the shadows. But, think about this for a moment -- there are only shadows where there is light. There are only shadows where there is light. Know that Christ is the Light. We need not fear the shadows, because Christ is right there lighting the way.<br />
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Next David writes, “…thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” A shepherd uses his rod for protection against anything that might try to harm the sheep, and he uses his staff to guide the sheep. God doesn’t run away when our enemies threaten to devour us. It’s comforting to know that God defends us, and guides us in the right direction that will keep us out of harms way.<br />
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Once we have made it through the valley, David tells us, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” For the longest time, whenever I read this passage I thought about a great feast laid out on a long table – sort of like in those movies about King Henry VIII. I imagined that God had prepared that great feast for me, and my enemies could only sit by and watch as I dined on all that good food. How many of you have thought something similar?<br />
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But as I studied this text, I learned David had something quite different in mind. <br />
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Remember that David is talking about shepherds and sheep. You wouldn’t normally see a sheep sitting at a table. Would you?<br />
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The sheep are constantly moving. They have moved from the home ranch, passed through the valley, and now they are moving up the mountain toward the high ranges, to the table, or the tableland as it is called. A tableland is a broad level elevated area. We are more familiar with the term mesa or plateau. <br />
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A shepherd, before moving the sheep to the tableland, would go out and survey the land to see what had happened over the previous winter. He had to know where the water was running. He had to know if any pools had formed. What kind of growth was beginning to show? He would check for poisonous weeds, and dens of predators, like wolves and such.<br />
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He would prepare the table, or the tableland, for the sheep. The sheep thrive on this table because of the love and care of the shepherd.<br />
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David has illustrated for us how our Shepherd leads us into higher places and a more advanced stage of experience, righteousness and holiness. In John 14:2, Jesus tells us, “…I go to prepare a place for you.” We have nothing to fear because the Shepherd has prepared a table for us. <br />
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Throughout this Psalm, the leading thought is that of the shepherd’s love and care for his sheep -- God’s love and care for us. Now the day draws to a close and the sheep head home.<br />
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<strong>David tells us in Verse 5 that, “Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over...” What does this mean?</strong><br />
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As the sheep return home the shepherd stands at the gate. He carefully inspects each sheep as they pass one by one before him into the fenced enclosure. He has a supply of ointments that he uses to doctor on the sheep who may have a scrapped knee or been scratched by thorns. If one is simply worn out and exhausted, he anoints its face and head in oil.<br />
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Then the shepherd takes a cup and dips it into a large stone jar of water. It is brought out – never half full but always overflowing. The weary sheep is allowed to drink until refreshed. That is what David meant when he said, “My cup runneth over.”<br />
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For us the meaning of this message is simple. In the Book of John, Chapter 10, Jesus tells us, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture … I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me.”<br />
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Once we accept Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Shepherd, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit. This anointing heals and refreshes us.<br />
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Then we are permitted to drink from the cup that is overflowing – the water that Jesus told the Samaritan woman about at the well. In John 4:14 He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” We can say his mercies and goodness are such that our cup overflows, all our needs are fully supplied.<br />
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Yes, we can see why David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...”<br />
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What a wonderful thought – goodness and mercy following me all my life. They follow me:<br />
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• On the good days as well as the bad<br />
• During the work week and on the weekend<br />
• On rainy days as well as bright sunny days<br />
• While I’m young and when I’m old<br />
• When I’m feeling good or completely worn out<br />
• They shall follow me three hundred and sixty five days a year.<br />
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Charles Spurgeon said that goodness supplies our needs, while mercy blots out our sin. He called them the twin guardian angels at our back and beck.<br />
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<strong>Finally, Verse 6 prepares us for Eternity.</strong><br />
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The sheep has come full circle -- past the green pastures and still waters, through the valley, up into the tablelands, and now he has returned to the home ranch. The sheep is content, happy and at peace. Can you say the same?<br />
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In this final verse David writes, “…I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”<br />
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What does “forever” mean? It means “without end.” It means continuing to eternity. We are promised that we will dwell in God’s house from now until forever. What more do you want?<br />
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What about your forever? Are you prepared for eternity? <br />
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So, exactly what does all of this mean to you and me? Looking at the full picture we find, we have provision and protection in the form of the Lord Jesus who is our Shepherd. We have peace, rest, renewing of spirit, mind and body. We have relaxation, food and drink that never go away. We have protection from our enemies and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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Not only is the Lord involved in your life, He is also caring for you. We are to give Him our concerns, worries, and cares. God wants us to enjoy His peace and rest. He will walk with us through whatever it is we are going through at the time. We need not fear the shadows or our enemies.<br />
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You know … some people sit down and make long lists of goals they want to accomplish in their life. They may want to be rich – successful – famous -- or all of the above. But, I want you to try and achieve a higher goal – a goal that will last not just a lifetime, but an eternity.<br />
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Write this down as the number one goal on your list – “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”<br />
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It’s not a hard goal to achieve. David was a powerful king, but he knew that God was enough. So make the decision to change not just your life, but change your forever. Those green pastures and still waters can be yours if you just make it up in your mind today to start following the Shepherd.<br />
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May God Bless You!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-78282812570916972112010-01-09T16:46:00.001-05:002010-01-09T16:47:14.458-05:00Living Righteous In an Unrighteous World<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,</em></strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)</em></strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We live in a world full of unrighteousness.<br />
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People today have put the love of money before the love of God. Tricked out cars, electronic gadgets, and celebrities have become the idols of today. Many people do not think twice before using the Lord’s name in vain. To some Sunday has become just another day of the week. Many do not respect themselves; much less honor their parents. Murder is rampant. Adultery and stealing are rarely blinked at. And, it seems everyone wants something that belongs to someone else.<br />
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So, is it possible to live righteous in an unrighteous world?<br />
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Daniel did it. The Bible tells us that the prophet Daniel was just a teenager when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem and took him captive. The Babylonians were idol worshippers, but Daniel was determined to live by God’s law. He was educated at the king’s court, but he refused to defile himself by doing anything that was against God’s will. Daniel’s enemies tried to destroy him because he refused to stop praying to God, but God‘s grace protected Daniel and his enemies were destroyed instead. Daniel was a man who lived out his commitment to God during very troubled times, and his devotion to God brought him protection, favor, promotion, authority and prosperity.<br />
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Abraham did it. Abraham was raised up in a family of idolaters. God singled him out and told him to leave his family behind. God knew that Abraham could not continue among his people because he would be in danger of being contaminated by their sin. The Lord promised Abraham that He would make him the father of many nations. God made this promise despite the fact that Abraham had no children at the time, in spite of the fact that he was an old man, and despite the fact that his wife was past childbearing years. Abraham believed God’s Word, and he remained faithful and obedient to the Lord. His reward was that all that the Lord had promised came true and a nation was born. <br />
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Moses did it. Moses was born a Hebrew. His mother saved him from death by placing him in a basket and putting it in the river. He was found by the daughter of Pharaoh, who adopted him, and raised him in the house of Pharaoh. He lived among the idol worshipping Egyptians; but he never forgot where he came from. He fled Egypt, only to return a man of God. He was commissioned as leader of the Israelites, secured the deliverance of his people, and led them out of Egypt. He overcame the complaints, disobedience, and idolatrous acts of his people. He remained stead fast to the mission God had presented him with, and even though he never stepped foot in the Promised Land, he was found worthy to be present with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-8)<br />
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Jeremiah did it. Jeremiah was a prophet during a time when most of the people of Jerusalem had stopped worshipping God. He spent his life seeking to turn the Jewish people back to the Lord, but his repeated warnings of inevitable judgment were met with severe opposition, persecution and imprisonment. He prophesized that the Babylonians would take over the city, but his people thanked him by throwing him into prison. Even after the prophecy came true, Jeremiah remained dedicated to God, and his passionate love for God and His people never diminished.<br />
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Paul and Silas did it. They were persecuted, beaten, and cast into prison. However, even in the mist of their adversity, they prayed and sang praises to God. When an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, the doors of the prison opened, and the chains that bound the prisoners fell to the ground. Paul and Silas were free, but rather than running off like the rest of the prisoners did, they remained and brought salvation to the jailer and his family.<br />
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So, is it possible to live righteous in the midst of unrighteousness? The answer is yes.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Noah too was a man who lived a righteous life in an unrighteous world. Noah lived in a time when the whole earth was filled with violence and corruption; not unlike today. So, how was Noah able to live righteous in light of the condition of his world? Noah did it by being courageous, just and perfect, faithful, full of godly fear, and by being obedient. Let’s take a moment and look at the life of Noah.<br />
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Noah was born into a world full of evil. Genesis 6:5 reads that, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The evil of man grieved the Lord, and in His grief He decided to destroy every living thing from the face of the earth. But, Genesis 6:8 reads, “… Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”<br />
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Noah was a righteous man, and it was that righteousness that moved God to change his mind about destroying all life from the planet. Instead God decided to just start over. So He commanded Noah to build an ark to save himself, his family, and enough of each living thing to repopulate the world.<br />
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Can you imagine what must have been running through Noah’s mind when God told him that He was going to destroy every living thing on earth, except those who entered the ark? What a burden Noah carried. It was a burden he would carry for a very long time. It took Noah a 120 years to build the ark, and during that time he had to live with the knowledge that everyone he spoke to had a death sentence on their life. <br />
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But that is where his courage, his ability to be just and perfect, his faithfulness, his godly fear, and his obedience came in. Noah knew that he had no choice but to do everything that the Lord commanded. <br />
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<strong>Noah was a man of courage.</strong><br />
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Noah was courageous because he was able to withstand the fear of knowing that God planned to destroy all living things on the earth. Noah was courageous because he took on the enormous challenge of building a seafaring vessel on dry land. Noah was courageous because he stood alone against the world and continued to preach on even though the people turned deaf ears to his pleadings and continued in their evil ways.<br />
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Noah was a man who stood alone against the world. This meant that he had to stand against his own family as well. It is hard enough to go against the mainstream, but to go against one’s own family is even harder. Noah’s wife, sons, and daughter-in-laws were saved, but the rest of Noah’s family perished. Perhaps they thought of Noah as the crazy relative or as a religious fanatic. Unfortunately too many people today are following their family members into wickedness.<br />
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Noah was courageous because the odds did not stop him. He spoke boldly in God’s name even though the people ignored him. Noah preached 120 years without a single convert. That takes a lot of courage.<br />
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However, Noah to his eternal credit did not become discouraged nor did he begin to doubt the message. Noah kept sowing the seed, even though it fell only on hard ground.<br />
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There are many people today who attempt to walk righteous, but instead become discouraged. But, Galatians 6:9 tells us, “… let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”<br />
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We all need to be more courageous like Noah. He preached righteousness, he taught truth, and he defend the faith. We need to learn how to sow the seed, and not worry about the results. We need to just do our part and let God take care of the rest. In the midst of wickedness, we must do as Noah did. <br />
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<strong>Noah was just and perfect.</strong><br />
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Genesis 6:9 reads, “… Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”<br />
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To be just means that Noah conformed to an ethical or moral standard. In other words, he just did what was right. It would have been easy for him to bend the rules now and then. In fact, no one in his day would have probably even noticed. However, if Noah had not walked right then God would have had no reason to spare mankind. The prophet Habakkuk taught that “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). <br />
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Scripture reads that Noah was perfect. The word “perfect” means to be entirely in accord with truth and fact. He knew that the Lord planned to send judgment on the people and he told them so. He did not try to sugar coat things to maintain his status or popularity. He said what needed to be said, which was the truth.<br />
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And, just like his great-grandfather Enoch, Noah “walked with God.” He separated himself from the wickedness of the rest of the people and followed the Lord.<br />
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<strong>Noah lived by faith.</strong><br />
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If Noah had not been a man of action, he would not have been a man of faith.<br />
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Note the words of Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Notice that Noah “moved” with godly fear and “prepared” an ark. It was not enough for Noah to simply believe that God would destroy every living thing off the face of the earth. Noah had to prove he believed by building the ark.<br />
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Many other men and women of the Bible have shown such an example. A young David went to battle against the giant Goliath because he had faith that God would deliver him. The woman with an issue of blood believed that to be healed all she had to do was touch Jesus’ garment. And, Queen Esther showed her faith by risking her life and going before the king to plea for the lives of her people.<br />
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Faith must obey. Through the example of Noah we see that faith involves works of obedience. Faith does not depend on works, but it involves works. Faith does not involve any kind of works, but works of obedience; and certainly the building of the ark was a work of great faith and obedience. No man was ever blessed on account of his faith until that faith manifested itself in acts of obedience.<br />
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<strong>Noah had godly fear.</strong><br />
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Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear …” Godly fear is another thing that motivated Noah to obey. Noah was a man who knew the majesty of God, and knew He was to be reverenced in godly fear.<br />
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Noah believed God completely. Noah knew that if God said it’s going to rain you had better buy an umbrella. The great Gospel communicator Charles Spurgeons said, “You can not have faith in the promise unless you are prepared to have faith in the threatening ….“ If Noah had not believed the threat, he would not have prepared an ark.<br />
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To be godly means to love God, to be a follower of God, and to emulate God. To have godly fear means to have respect and reverence for God. It means being unwilling to do anything that would cause God to be displeased. Psalm 111:10 reads, “The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments] his praise endureth for ever.”<br />
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<strong>Noah was obedient.</strong><br />
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Obedience is the one word that best describes the life of Noah. One can not be courageous, just and perfect, faithful, and have godly fear unless they are obedient.<br />
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God told Noah to build an ark and gave him exact dimensions and a list of materials to be used.<br />
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<ul><li>Noah was told to make an ark, so he made an ark … not a house.</li>
<li>It was to be made of gopher wood and he made it of gopher wood … not of walnut.</li>
<li>It was to be 300 cubits long and Noah made it 300 cubits long … not 100 cubits long.</li>
<li>Noah was to bring by sevens every clean beast into the ark, and by twos every unclean beast into the ark, and that is just what he did.</li>
</ul>Noah did not go off and follow his own plan. Noah followed God’s plan.<br />
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Genesis 7:5 reads, “… Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.” Noah obeyed thus becoming God’s instrument in saving mankind from total destruction by the Flood. God gave Noah a pattern and he obeyed - plain and simple. Why can’t we be more like Noah?<br />
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What would have happened to Noah’s ark had he not obeyed God’s instructions? It probably would have sank and man might have perished.<br />
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Scripture clearly illustrates what happens when you do not follow God’s instructions.<br />
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<ul><li>Adam and Eve ignored God’s instructions and they were thrown out of the garden.</li>
<li>Abraham deviated from God’s instructions and the result was Ishmael.</li>
<li>Moses forfeited his privilege to bring the people into the Promised Land because he did not follow God’s instructions concerning the water from the rock.</li>
</ul>Noah was saved through his obedience ... as will we.<br />
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So what does all this mean for us?<br />
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Today, we as Christians are modern day Noahs. We have been given the dimensions and materials to be used in the present day ark of safety -- the Church. We have been instructed on how the Church is to be constructed. We have been told what the Church is to be made of, and we have been shown how to take care of it. If we do not build the Church according to God’s pattern, it too will sink!<br />
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Matthew 24:27 reads, “For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.“<br />
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We all know that Jesus is coming. Just as Noah prepared for the coming of the Flood, it is our responsibility to prepare for the coming of Jesus.<br />
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Things are no different today than Noah’s day. The world is full of all kinds of evil. Just read today’s newspaper or watch the news on television to read and hear plenty of examples of the evil of man. <br />
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Jesus is coming people, and we must sow the same seed that Noah sowed … the seed of salvation. If we sow the seed, then God will do the rest.<br />
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Noah is an example we should emulate. We too should be courageous, right and perfect, faithful, full of godly fear, and obedient.<br />
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Let us all strive to be more like Noah, and we too can live righteous in an unrighteous world.<br />
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May God bless you.Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-21698779936223810342010-01-03T09:36:00.002-05:002010-01-03T09:39:10.970-05:00What If? Why Not?<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:31-33)</strong></em><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We have seen the close of another year … another decade.<br />
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The year 2009 was definitely a year of change. The United States saw Barack Obama sworn in as its first African-American president. We bid farewell to Michael Jackson, Ted Kennedy, David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Patrick Swayze, and even the charismatic Oral Roberts. Countries braced themselves for the bird flu epidemic and the H1N1 pandemic. Soldiers fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, the world slowly began to recover from the greatest financial collapse since the Great Depression.<br />
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It may have been a year of difficulty for you as well. Perhaps you were one of the thousands who lost their job or even their home due to the economic conditions of today. Maybe your doctor diagnosed you with a serious illness, or you lost a loved one to death, divorce or desertion. Perhaps you struggled with an addiction, or saw someone you love suffer from one. You may have been the victim of a crime committed against you, or perhaps you are paying the consequences for a mistake you made.<br />
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Last year was certainly a year of change and difficulty, but now we have reached a New Year … a year of new possibilities … a year of new beginnings.<br />
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I have two words for this New Year. Those two words are: <strong>“What If?”</strong><br />
<a name='more'></a>Those two words may have made you tremble in 2009, but in 2010 let’s make them words of adventure and faith.<br />
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<strong>“What If” This Is The Year of New Beginnings?</strong><br />
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The Bible records two new beginnings for the early Church. They are contained within Acts 2 and Acts 4.<br />
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Acts 2 records the Day of Pentecost. On this day the apostles and a great number of believers had gathered together. Suddenly the sound of a mighty wind was heard and fiery tongues appeared and rested on each of the individuals. The people were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began speaking in languages that were not their own.<br />
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The word got out about what had happened and others came to see for themselves. Some were amazed, while others believed the individuals were simply drunk. However, Peter stood boldly before them all and told them that the people were not drunk, but rather this was a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy by the prophet Joel, which spoke of the signs and miracles that would occur before the return of Christ. <br />
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Yes, it was a new day for the Church. Prior to this day, the Holy Spirit did not live inside the believer. Rather He would come upon a chosen individual. It was a temporary, external condition subject to removal.<br />
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However, on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit began to dwell within each believer. This “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is a permanent condition and happens but once for each and every person who accepts Christ as his or her personal Savior. <br />
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Following the events of Pentecost, the Church began to grow quickly. Acts 4 records how the Apostles Peter and John taught and preached to a great number of people about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Because of their teachings at least five thousand men, and countless women and children, turned their lives over to Christ. What a great beginning for the Church.<br />
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Now think of this … “what if” this is the year of new beginnings for you?<br />
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• What if this is the year you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior (Acts 16:31)?<br />
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• What if this is the year you confess your sins and rededicate your life (1 John 1:9)?<br />
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• What if this is the year you stop looking back and begin looking up to Jesus (Heb 12:2)?<br />
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<strong>What If this is the Year Your Prayers Are Answered?</strong><br />
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Peter and John’s work of converting the thousands was not without consequence. The leaders of the area were upset by the teachings of the apostles. They took Peter and John into custody and brought them before the Jewish leaders. They demanded to know by what power and authority the two taught.<br />
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Peter boldly stood up to the leaders and told them that they taught in “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” The leaders, not knowing what to do, threatened the two and finally released them.<br />
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Peter and John rejoined their group and reported to them everything that had happened. They began to pray and lift up their voices to the Lord. Then according to Acts 4:31, “when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together …”<br />
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Prayer is a powerful thing. It has a way of changing things. What if this is the year that your prayers are answered?<br />
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• What if this is the year your children get right with God?<br />
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• What if this is the year your spouse comes to Christ?<br />
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• What if this is the year you conquer your negative attitude?<br />
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• What if this is the year you get your bills paid?<br />
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• What if this is the year God restores your health … your marriage?<br />
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<strong>What if this is the Year of Revival in Your Church?</strong><br />
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Not only did the place where the apostles and their party were gathered shake, but Acts 4:31 also records that “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”<br />
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The group of believers began working together with a singular purpose. The apostles preached about the resurrection of Jesus with all authority and boldness. Those who owned houses and land sold them and gave the money to the apostles to be distributed to everyone who was in need. Everyone was working as one for the glory of God’s kingdom.<br />
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Are the people in your church working as one? Is everyone working with one purpose? Are your leaders preaching and teaching with power and authority? Or, is your church in need of a revival?<br />
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“Revival” is a misunderstood word. Some believe that revival is merely for the unsaved. However, revival is designed for the saved.<br />
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According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word “revival” means, “an act or instance of reviving,” “the state of being revived,” or “a renewed attention to or interest in something.”<br />
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Sometimes our spiritual walk needs to be revived. Many times we find ourselves just going through the motions of worship instead of focusing on true worship. Rather than work together for the glory of God’s kingdom we start working independently.<br />
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Does this sound familiar? Is your church in need of a revival? <br />
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• A revival would make this a year of forgiveness.<br />
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• A revival would make this a year of sharing.<br />
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• A revival would make this a year of reconciliation.<br />
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• A revival would make this the year when all barriers fall.<br />
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<strong>What if this is the Year of Evangelism?</strong><br />
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Not only did the apostles and believers begin working together, but Acts 4:33 also tells us that, “with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”<br />
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There is a great lack in churches today. Many people walk through the doors of the church just thinking about themselves. They want to hear a good message, be entertained by the choir, and walk out feeling good about how faithful they were to go to church and give a few of their hard earned dollars.<br />
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The problem with this attitude is that the church does not exist merely to entertain us and make us feel good. It’s not all about us … it’s about the Lord! We should not just leave soul saving to the preacher. It is our responsibility as believers to help in the work of bringing people to Christ.<br />
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So, how long has it been since you made an effort to win a soul? What if this is the year that you concentrate on witnessing and winning souls for Christ. Many people have been saved by hearing the simple, honest words of a friend.<br />
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Yes, this could be your year of new beginnings. This could be the year that your prayers are answered. This could be the year your church undergoes a revival. This could be the year that you get off the pew and join your fellow believers in evangelizing to the world.<br />
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In conclusion, I want you to consider two more words. Those words are: “Why Not?”<br />
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• Why not make this a year of new beginnings.<br />
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• Why not make this a year of prayer.<br />
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• Why not assist your church in bringing souls to Christ?<br />
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How can you go wrong by turning your life around and living for the Lord? It is amazing how your life will change when you allow yourself to stop concentrating on yourself for once and start working for God’s kingdom.<br />
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If you say it’s impossible, then I will say that you are wrong. All these good things can happen in your life. Luke 1:37 reads that “With God nothing shall be impossible.”<br />
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Yes, last year was a year of change and difficulty, but now it is time to move on to new possibilities … new beginnings.<br />
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Let faith remove the limits you have placed on your life and begin to claim all that God wants to give you.<br />
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May God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-8147373728224103952009-12-23T22:06:00.002-05:002009-12-23T22:11:03.273-05:00The Wise Men Who Missed The Savior<div style="text-align: center;"><em>“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:1-12)</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the story of the wise men that traveled from the east to Jerusalem in search of the Christ child. It is a favorite subject of many Christmas sermons, children’s plays, and holiday television specials.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">According to the story:<br />
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• The wise men followed a star in the sky – a star known as the Star of Bethlehem.<br />
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• They first went to Jerusalem to ask where the “King of the Jews” had been born.<br />
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• They were secretly brought before King Herod who questioned them thoroughly about their quest.<br />
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• King Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem in search of the child, and he requested they tell him of the child’s whereabouts.<br />
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• The wise men found the young Savior, and they presented him with three gifts -- gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.<br />
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• The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod.<br />
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Yes, we know about these famous wise men that traveled from the east in search of the Savior. However, there is another group of wise men who did not go to Bethlehem in search of the Christ child. In fact, these wise men missed the Savior all together.<br />
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<strong>First, I want you to know that King Herod’s wise men knew the location where the Christ child was to be born, but they did not believe the Lord had come.</strong><br />
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When King Herod heard that there were foreigners asking about the birth of a King, he called several wise men together to advise him about the birth of the child. According to Scripture, these wise men consisted of the chief priests and scribes of Jerusalem.<br />
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This group of wise men knew a lot of things. They knew the location where the Christ child was to be born; they were very knowledgeable about Scripture and the prophecy about the birth of a Messiah; and they knew that the Messiah was to rule over the Jewish people. However, as we are about to learn, knowledge is useless without action.<br />
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For the benefit of those who do not know what the word Messiah means, it literally means “the Anointed King.” It refers to someone who is divinely chosen. Most Christians use the term Christ when referring to the Messiah, which we refer to as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<br />
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When King Herod called together the chief priests and scribes, he demanded they tell him where the child would be born. They did not hesitate in their answer to the king because Christ’s birth had been prophesized over 700 years before.<br />
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These wise men were very familiar with that prophesy and were able to tell the king that the child was to be born “in Bethlehem of Judea.”<br />
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Bethlehem is located about five miles south of Jerusalem, and has long been a place of biblical importance. You bible scholars out there may remember from the book of Genesis that Jacob’s wife Rachel died in Bethlehem after giving birth to Benjamin. Today, Rachel’s Tomb is an important Jewish holy site, and is located at the entrance of Bethlehem.<br />
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You may also recall from the book of Ruth the beautiful love story between Ruth, the humble Moabite believer, and Boaz, the wealthy landowner. Their romance also took place in Bethlehem.<br />
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Finally, you may remember that it was the town of Bethlehem that God led the prophet Samuel to in order to find a new king for the nation of Israel. It was in that small village where Samuel found a young sheepherder by the name of David.<br />
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I want you to know that King Herod’s wise men knew the location where the Christ child was to be born, but they missed the incarnation. They knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, but they were blind to the signs that He had been born in Bethlehem. <br />
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In fact, these so called wise men of Jerusalem would always doubt Jesus’ deity. Even when a grownup Jesus performed all kinds of miracles right before their eyes, they doubted He was the true Savior.<br />
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These men knew and believed that the Messiah would come, but they just could not accept the fact that He had come and that Jesus was that person.<br />
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Today, there are so many people like King Herod’s wise men.<br />
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• They give Jesus credit for being a good man.<br />
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• They acclaim Him as being a great teacher.<br />
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• They talk about His wonderful philosophy of life.<br />
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• They speak of Him as a great prophet.<br />
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However, all of these people stop short of receiving His gift of salvation. The facts about Jesus are right in front of them, but they just do not connect the facts with the person. They believe Jesus existed only as a man, and they do not accept Jesus as their Redeemer. They too miss the Savior.<br />
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<strong>Second, I want you to know that these wise men knew the Scriptures, but they did not believe the prophecy was really happening.</strong><br />
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The reason King Herod’s wise men knew where the Messiah was to be born was because they knew Scripture. <br />
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When King Herod asked the chief priests and scribes where the Christ child was to be born, they immediately went to the Scriptures for the answer. They knew the right place to go to find the answer to life’s questions. They just didn’t apply the answers.<br />
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These men were well acquainted with the book of Micah, which prophesized of the birth of the Messiah. <br />
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You can find the book of Micah in the Old Testament, tucked in between the books of Jonah and Nahum. <br />
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Micah was a prophet who was born in the Southern Kingdom of Judah some 700 years before the birth of Christ. His ministry lasted some 50 years, and spanned the reign of three kings of Judah: Jotham (joe-thumb), Ahaz (A-haz), and Hezekiah.<br />
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There are a total of three prophecies contained within the book of Micah. In the first prophecy, Micah predicted the Assyrian invasion, which occurred during his lifetime. Assyria first invaded the northern part of Israel, and carried the people back to Assyria. Later they would invade parts of the southern part of Israel, but Jerusalem remained standing.<br />
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In the second prophecy, Micah predicted Israel’s Babylonian captivity, which would not happen for over a hundred years. The Babylonians would destroy the southern kingdom of Israel, to include Jerusalem. They too carried away the people, but the people were later allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem.<br />
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In the third prophecy, he predicted the birth of Christ, which would not occur until 700 years later.<br />
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The prophecy of the birth of Christ is not only Micah’s best-known passage, but is also the central promise of his book. Micah 5:2 reads, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, (ef-rawth-thaw) though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”<br />
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Ephrathah was a district within the small village of Bethlehem. Scholars believe that Micah mentioned Ephrathah specifically because there was another Bethlehem located in the north, and he didn’t want people confused as to which Bethlehem he was referring to.<br />
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Yes, King Herod’s wise men knew Scripture and they knew about the prophecy. They had the biblical answer … but they still missed the Savior.<br />
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It is important for us to understand that we can know a great deal about the Bible and still be lost. We can know what the Bible says about love, forgiveness, faithfulness, repentance, or salvation, but we have to apply these things in our daily lives for them to mean anything. We have to put that knowledge into action, or that knowledge is of no value.<br />
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<strong>Third, I want you to know that King Herod’s wise men knew Christ was destined to rule, but they would not let Him rule them.</strong><br />
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Once King Herod discovered that the wise men from the east had ignored his request that they tell him where the Christ child was located he grew very angry. Herod ordered the death of every child under the age of two who lived in Bethlehem and the coastal areas.<br />
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God already knew what was in King Herod’s heart. So He sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to warn him that the king planned on destroying Jesus. When Joseph awoke from the dream he immediately took Mary and Jesus to Egypt where they lived until Herod’s death.<br />
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The king’s wise men knew that it was possible the Messiah could be among those murdered by the king’s men. However, there is no biblical record that any of the king’s wise men attempted to stop the killing. As far as they were concerned the child rumored to be the Messiah was gone, along with any chance that He would rule over them.<br />
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What they didn’t know is that the Messiah lived, and that He would return again. As Jesus’ began His ministry rumors began to be spread that He was the Messiah. However, once again Jerusalem’s wise men closed their eyes to the signs that Jesus was the Christ.<br />
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Instead they would be a constant thorn in Jesus’ side. They would question, challenge, and plot against Him throughout His ministry.<br />
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We can find numerous examples of this in Scripture. For instance, during one event the scribes thought that Jesus had blasphemed because He forgave a sick man of his sins. Another time, the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. They also accused Jesus of being in league with Satan because He had the ability to cast out devils.<br />
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Not only were these men thorns in Jesus’ side, but they would help bring thorns to Jesus’ brow. These men rejected Jesus. They discussed how they might have Him killed. They conspired with Judas Iscariot against Him. They had Jesus arrested. They pressured the Roman authorities to have Jesus crucified. And, finally, they mocked Jesus as He hung on the cross.<br />
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So much for calling them “wise men.”<br />
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Yes, King Herod’s men knew the location of the birth place of the Messiah; they knew Scripture and the prophecy; and they knew that the Messiah was to rule over them. They had all that knowledge, but they never knew Jesus.<br />
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Today we are faced with another prophecy; this one coming out of the book of Revelation. God saw fit to give the Apostle John a vision of the future; a vision of the return of our Savior.<br />
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Many people have heard that Jesus will return again, and most Christians believe this will truly happen. It is one of the corner stones of our faith. Jesus Himself said that when we see certain signs we will know that the time of His return is near. In the book of Matthew He said:<br />
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• There will appear “the sign of the Son of man in heaven.”<br />
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• We will “see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”<br />
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• “And, he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet.”<br />
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Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” <br />
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King Herod’s wise men knew that Micah’s prophecy foretold the birth of the Messiah, but they were not ready when Jesus came, and they missed the Savior.<br />
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We too have been given a prophecy that foretells of the return of the Messiah. Will you be ready? Or, will you too miss the Savior?<br />
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Many people have heard about Jesus, but they do not act. They have heard that Jesus will return, but they do nothing.<br />
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It is important that we understand that just knowing Jesus will return is not enough. We must act on that knowledge, or we too will miss the Savior. We must seek Him out and make Him ruler over our lives.<br />
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So, why didn’t King Herod’s wise men hurry to Bethlehem to find Christ?<br />
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Why didn’t these wise men go with the wise men from the east to find this child, if they knew that the Messiah was supposed to be born in Bethlehem?<br />
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Perhaps these wise men were uninterested. They may have heard the news, but simply went back to business as usual. Even today some people are simply uninterested in making Jesus a part of their lives.<br />
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Or, maybe these wise men had good intentions on checking out the story to see if the Christ child really had been born, but they got busy with their present life and forgot. So many people in our society are so busy they don’t even take the time to come to think about Jesus, much less come to church.<br />
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Or, perhaps these wise men feared being ridiculed by the other scribes and priests. They may not have been able to handle the fallout if the rumor was proven to be false. There are people today who do not come to Christ because they are afraid of what their friends or family might say.<br />
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Or, perhaps King Herod’s wise men did not go with the wise men from the east out of fear for their life. They may have thought that if they went to seek the child that King Herod would suspect them of being a trader and possible kill them. After all, how safe could they be since King Herod had already had several members of his own family executed because he was afraid they wanted to take his throne.<br />
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What we need to know today is that “wise men risk all to seek and find the Savior.” The wise men from the east traveled a long ways to find Jesus. However, to them it was worth the effort.<br />
<br />
Now, I want to ask you, “How wise are you?”<br />
<br />
Are you willing to make the effort and seek the King?<br />
<br />
Are you willing to use the knowledge you have about the Savior and take the necessary steps to accept Jesus in your life?<br />
<br />
Yes, these wise men knew a lot of things. They knew the location where the Messiah was to be born; they were very knowledgeable about Scripture and the prophecy; and they knew that a Messiah would come and rule. But they stopped there and totally missed the Savior.<br />
<br />
This holiday season, don’t be like King Herod’s wise men and miss the Savior. Open up your heart and let Him in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>(Marking The Path will not be updated during the weekend of Christmas, but will return January 2, 2010. May God bless you and your family during this Christmas season and in the coming year.)</em>Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-2353758396551912112009-12-13T09:09:00.003-05:002009-12-13T09:13:11.906-05:00Fear Not, Joseph<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20)</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of us have experienced fear at one time or another. Some of us are afraid of lightening storms. Others are afraid of heights. Then there are those who fear taking tests, public speaking, and some even fear bees.<br />
</div><br />
The Bible contains many instances of people who feared one thing or another. However, in many of these instances God told them to “fear not.” Here are some “fear nots” of Christmas.<br />
<br />
First there is a “fear not” for Zacharias. You may recall that Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth wanted to have children, but Elizabeth had been unable to get pregnant and they were now both up in age. Luke 1:13 tells us that God sent an angel to him and “the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”<br />
<br />
There is a “fear not” for Mary who was told that she would bear a child even though she had not known a man. Luke 1:30 reads, “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”<br />
<br />
And, there is a “fear not” for the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields the night of Jesus’ birth … “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)<br />
<br />
Know that Joseph also needed a “fear not.”<br />
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Everything in Joseph’s life had been going well for him. He was engaged to the girl of his dreams. They were making plans for their future. In his eyes life couldn’t get any better.<br />
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But then, he discovered that Mary was with child, and he knew he wasn’t the father. He instantly believed that the woman he loved and planned to spend the rest of his life with had betrayed him. Suddenly his world came crashing down around him. Instead of being excited for the future, be became full of fear.<br />
<br />
There are times in our life when we too become fearful like Joseph. We become fearful when we’ve been let down, when we worry about public opinion, and during times of mental anguish. Today I am going to share some “fear nots” for times when we feel like Joseph.<br />
<a name='more'></a><strong>Here is a “Fear Not” for Times When We’ve Been Let Down.</strong><br />
<br />
When Joseph heard that Mary was pregnant, he concluded that Mary had been immoral, that she had broken her vows to him.<br />
<br />
We often come to the wrong conclusions about what’s going on in life. For instance, when someone doesn’t speak to us, we think they’re mad at us. When we see a married person talking with someone other then their spouse, we think they’re having an affair. When someone is talking with the law, we think they did something wrong. No wonder Jesus warned us against judging others (Matthew 7:1).<br />
<br />
What Joseph didn’t know is that while he was worrying about what Mary did and what was going to happen, God was working out a wonderful plan for his life.<br />
<br />
What Joseph didn’t know is that Mary had not been unfaithful to him. She had not broken her vow to him. Instead, she was chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah.<br />
<br />
It had been prophesied long before that the Messiah was to be born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 reads, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”<br />
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What Joseph had thought was sinful was actually sacred. He just didn’t have all the facts.<br />
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Sometimes we worry too much about what other people are doing. We need to remember that God is in control. If someone is doing something wrong then God will handle it. Psalm 37 tells us to, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” Instead it tells us we should, “Trust in the LORD, and do good … Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:1-4)<br />
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Instead of worrying about what other people are doing wrong, we all need to pay more attention to what we are doing. To quote a well known saying, “Sweep around your own front door, before you try to sweep around mine.”<br />
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<strong>Next, There is a “Fear Not” for Time When We Worry About Public Opinion.</strong><br />
<br />
We learn from Scripture that after Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant that he was not willing to make Mary a public example. Joseph feared what others would do when the facts were known. After all, in those days, if a girl got pregnant before marriage she could be stoned to death. Joseph didn’t want Mary to be destroyed for her supposed sin. <br />
<br />
Joseph was allowing public opinion to shape his future. What Joseph needed to remember was that our responsibility is to do what God wants us to do. The fear of public opinion can keep us from receiving God’s best. Proverbs 29:25 warns us, “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” But that same proverb also tells us, “whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”<br />
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People who live their life according to God’s will do not need to fear public reaction. If you know you are doing what God wants you to do than don’t worry about what other people think or say. People are going to talk whether you are doing right or doing wrong. Just put your trust in the Lord and He shall make you safe.<br />
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Are you afraid to surrender to Christ for fear of what others will say or do? Are you afraid people will stop inviting you to their parties if they find out you are going to church? Are you afraid people will make fun of you and start calling you a “Jesus freak” if you turn your life over to the Lord? Are you afraid that people will ridicule you if they find out you would rather go to church than go with them to Wal-Mart on Sunday morning? Well, fear not! Put your trust in Jesus and He’ll calm your fears.<br />
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<strong>Finally, There is a “Fear Not” for Times of Mental Anguish.</strong><br />
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You can just imagine that this situation must have tormented Joseph. Matthew 1:20 reads, “But while he thought on these things …” Imagine Joseph’s state of mind during this emotional crisis. He must have felt as though he would go out of his mind.<br />
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To Joseph it looked like Mary had betrayed him … it looked like the people would harm her if they found out … and it looked like his future with Mary was over. Instead his fears were based solely on a “look like” situation.<br />
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We know that Joseph’s anxiety was without foundation. What he thought would bring death instead brought deliverance. What he thought would ruin Mary’s name instead immortalized it. He thought that people would call Mary bad, but instead, to this very day they call her blessed.<br />
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Many of our fears are groundless as well. We don’t enter relationships because we fear we will be hurt. We only do things our friends approve of because we fear they will talk about us or stop being our friends if we do otherwise. We constantly worry about what will happen to our future if we get sick, lose our job, or if the economy does not recover quickly. <br />
<br />
We imagine all kinds of bad things will happen. However, we need to learn how to “fear not.” Instead, we need to exchange our fears for faith.<br />
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Are you in need of a “fear not” today? If so, remember that God will meet you in your fears, just as he met Joseph. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares on the One who cares for us. Remember that Jesus told us, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)<br />
<br />
So the next time you feel as though you have been let down, or you begin worrying about what other people are saying, or you start to feel anxious about anything, remember to “fear not.” Fear not because the Lord is always in control.<br />
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May God bless you.<br />
<em><br />
</em>Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-15958185565147967762009-12-05T19:20:00.001-05:002009-12-05T19:21:03.412-05:00Why a Manger Instead of a Palace?<div style="text-align: center;"><em>“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Every now and then we hear a story about a mother giving birth in an unusual place. Some of these events have even made the news.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• There was a woman in San Antonio who gave birth to her baby at a BBQ restaurant<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• There was a woman in New York who gave birth while her cab was stuck in traffic at a tunnel toll booth.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• And, there was a Utah woman who gave birth to her baby in the bathroom of a local Wal-Mart. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">By our standards the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ in a room designated for keeping livestock could be considered an unusual birth, and might even initiate a call to Child Protective Services.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But, have you ever wondered why Christ was laid in a manger, rather than in the comfort of a cradle in a palace? The answer can be found in three words: rejection, redemption, and reachability.<br />
</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>You should know that the manger perfectly pictures Jesus’ rejection.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever tried to book a hotel in a town that was hosting a large sporting event or convention, and found it difficult to find a room? I have. I have tried to make reservations at a hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, when there was a big sporting event going on, and I found that many of the rooms had been booked up far in advance.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A similar thing happened during the time that Jesus was to be born. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A census was ordered that required the people to return to their ancestral towns to register. This meant that a lot of people had to find a place to stay until their business was taken care of.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Some people were able to find a place to lay their head at the home of a relative. However, those who did not have family living in that town, or their homes were too full, were forced to seek lodging at an inn or some other establishment that rented out rooms.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was no different for Joseph and Mary. They had to leave their home in Nazareth and travel about 90 miles south to Bethlehem, to register for the census. They didn’t have cars, trains or planes back then to whisk them to their destination and back.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For most people the only way of traveling was on foot or donkey back. Foot travelers could average about 16 miles a day. Under normal circumstances Mary and Joseph’s trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have taken at least five days. However, with Mary being heavy with child, that trip could well have taken two weeks or more.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It didn’t matter that Mary was pregnant and close to her time to deliver. She couldn’t get a doctor’s note to excuse them from participating in the census. There was no post office where they could mail in their census form. There was no World Wide Web they could use to email their response – no cell phones they could use to text message. Joseph and Mary had to physically go to Bethlehem to fulfill the requirements of the census or be in violation of Caesar’s order.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately when they arrived in Bethlehem they were unable to find a place to stay. Some Bible scholars have speculated that Joseph and Mary may have sought to stay with relatives, only to find the house full. Then finding no room in the inn the young couple resorted to the shelter of a cave used for keeping animals. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This was the beginning of Jesus’ rejection. Instead of lying in a warm bed with his mother at his side, he was placed in a manger, a simple cattle trough, which served as his cradle. In those days, mangers were usually carved from stone and were used to hold food for animals. Jesus was laid in that manger because there was no room for him elsewhere.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Luke 2:7 tells us that “there was not room for them in the inn.” However, I’m sure there was room for business in that inn. I’m sure there was room for pleasure in that inn. I’m sure there was room for those with wealth in that inn.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, many people are like that inn. They make room for work. They make room for going out and having a good time. They make room for other people in their lives. They make room for everything else in their lives, but they don’t make room for a newborn child who was sent to save the world – who was sent to save them.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, Jesus knew rejection. In fact, the book of John provides us with an amazing rejection message…<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” (John 1:10)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And, the world still rejects Jesus today.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Next, you should know that the manger perfectly pictures Jesus’ redemption.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Luke 2:8 tells us that during the time of Christ’s birth, there were shepherds that were in fields nearby guarding their flocks. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and brought them “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,” and told them, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Notice that the angel said “unto you is born.” The angel was announcing that Jesus belonged to them, just as He belongs to us.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next the angel gave the shepherds two signs. They would find:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• And, He would be lying in a manger.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Some believe that the swaddling clothes represent the fact that Jesus was born of flesh.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was the custom in those days to wrap a newborn in strips of cloth, or as they were called “swaddling clothes.” It was commonly believed that this was essential for the infants to develop proper posture.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus was made of flesh and would grow and develop just like every other child of that day. The swaddling clothes remind us of the great humility of our Lord in leaving His preexistent glory and becoming a human being for our sakes. Without having done so He could not have died for our sins.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The fact that Jesus was laid in a manger, in a room meant for keeping animals, shows his birth set him apart. Back in those days sacrificial lambs were set apart from the other lambs. These lambs were to be spotless and without defect, just as Jesus too was spotless and without defect. The lamb was to be used for sacrifice in the Passover, and served as a sin offering. The lamb was set apart for a purpose. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Why was Jesus born in a room designated for keeping livestock? What better place for a Lamb to be born than among other lambs.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As Christians, we identify Jesus as the Lamb of God. We first heard that reference given by John the Baptist in John 1:29. While John was baptizing the people he saw Jesus coming towards him. John publicly identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John knew that Jesus was the suffering servant mentioned in Isaiah 53:7 and 12, who was to be “led as a lamb to the slaughter” and who would bare “the sins of many.”<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When we think of the manger we must not forget the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice provided our redemption.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Redemption is the purchase back of something that has been lost. Christ's blood was the payment for our deliverance from the servitude of sin and from its consequence. The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Christ did not save us by his doctrine.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nor did he save us by his example.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus saved us with his precious blood.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">How can we fail to rejoice, having been freed from the bondage of sin and the fear of death?<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Finally, you should know that the manger perfectly pictures Jesus’ reachability</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The first announcement of the birth of Christ was to common shepherds. Jesus could have been born in a palace, and had the entire kingdom worshiping him the night of his birth. But instead he was born in a place set aside for livestock, with shepherds as his first worshippers.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">By being born in that humble place He showed that he was available to all – from the lowliest shepherd, to the mightiest king. It is fitting that our Lord said, "Let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant." (Luke 22:26) <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Would Jesus have been so available to us if He had been born in a palace?<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If Jesus had been born in a palace He would have been kept away from the world. Guards would have prevented ordinary men from coming to see Him. Only the rich and connected people would have had a chance to worship Him.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jesus made Himself reachable! Not only was he reachable at His birth, he was reachable during his ministry. Even though he knew he was the Son of God, he did not stay hidden in a temple or live as a recluse, only making special appearances every once in a while. He went out amongst the people. He spoke to them. He touched them. He healed them. He was available.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even at his darkest hour, as he hung from the cross, Jesus made himself available to a thief hanging on the cross next to Him.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is not a complicated message. Jesus chose where he would be born, he chose the manger instead of a palace, and he receives all who come to him. He received:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• The shepherds<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• The wise men<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• John the Baptist<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• The fishermen<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• The sick and afflicted<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">• And, Jesus will receive us.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">He’ll receive us because he loves us. However, to be saved you must receive him back. You do this by admitting that you are a sinner; believing that Jesus is God’s son; confessing your sins and asking Jesus into your heart.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, the next time you think about the birth of Jesus remember those three words: rejection, redemption and reachability.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, the manager perfectly pictures Jesus’ rejection. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The manger perfectly pictures His redemption. He was the lamb led to slaughter and who bore the sins of many.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And, the manger perfectly pictures Jesus’ reachability. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you have done in your life. Jesus accepts us as we are. In John 6:37, Jesus tells us that, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, let us return to the manger … that humble place … the place where Jesus first received us.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When you think of it, it makes perfect sense that Jesus should be placed in a manger -- a container used for the purpose of being filled with food that sustains life. After all, hasn't he been called the Bread of Life?<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">May God bless you.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-86404768616897720792009-11-22T10:02:00.001-05:002009-11-22T10:03:34.781-05:00Thankful For What?<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“Praise the LORD, O my soul,</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>And forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)</strong></em><br />
</div><br />
This upcoming Thursday the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a day typically celebrated with family and friends. Many will watch the famed Macy’s Day Parade on television, or they will watch football later in the day. Some will see loved ones they haven’t seen for a long time. Most will enjoy a gut-busting meal of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. <br />
<br />
During the meal, many families take the time to share with one another what they are most thankful for. Unfortunately, there are too many people who never take the time to think about what they are thankful for, much less say a prayer of thanks before the meal.<br />
<br />
Our scripture verse today comes from a psalm written by King David. Some call Psalm 103 David’s great “Song of Thanksgiving.” In it he encourages himself to give thanks for daily blessings and he reminds himself of the many benefits God has given him.<br />
<br />
The Pilgrims also remembered God’s benefits. They arrived November 11, 1620, on the rocky coast of Cape Cod. They came to the New World to seek a place to worship in freedom. Little did they know of the struggles they would experience. They suffered many hardships the first winter, including the death of many of them. However, in spite of all their many problems, they are credited with established the first Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
David and the Pilgrims had learned to be thankful for the blessings and benefits God had given them. The question for today is, “For what should we be thankful?”<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong>The Essentials of Life</strong><br />
<br />
First of all, we should be thankful for the essentials of life.<br />
<br />
The Apostle Paul knew all about being thankful for the essentials of life. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”<br />
<br />
Having food should make us thankful.<br />
<br />
The Pilgrims came to this country and learned right away that it was not going to be easy to survive. They had little to eat that first winter, but with the help of the native people most of them survived. Suffering near starvation, and a having a good harvest that next year, taught the Pilgrims to be thankful.<br />
<br />
Having enough to eat is cause for thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
According to figures by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one billion people throughout the world suffer from hunger. That number has increased mostly due to the global financial crisis.<br />
<br />
Having adequate clothing should also make us thankful.<br />
<br />
Winter finds many people cold and insufficiently protected. Statistics published by Globalissues.org indicate that over 3 billion people worldwide live on less than $2.50 a day. Those of us who are comfortably clothed are a privileged few.<br />
<br />
What other essentials do we take for granted? How about clean water, electricity, proper sanitation, a soft bed to sleep in, and easy access to health care. Need I say more? <br />
<br />
Let’s focus on what we have instead of what we want – and be thankful for it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Everything in Life</strong><br />
<br />
Secondly, we should be thankful for everything in life.<br />
<br />
In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds them to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).<br />
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Yes, we will experience good days and bad days in our life, but we must always remember to thank God regardless of what we are going through. That means we are to thank God …<br />
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• When we have enough money to pay our bills … and when we don’t.<br />
• When we have a home we can call our own … and when a disaster takes it from us.<br />
• When we wake up feeling great … and when we wake up hurting.<br />
• When we have children … and when we have none.<br />
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Know that God has a reason for allowing us to experience the good and bad of this life. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “All things work together for the good of those who love God.”<br />
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We need to learn to be thankful for God’s weather, whatever it may be. Although we experience the storms of life, and sometimes feel as though we are being tossed to and fro, we need to be thankful for God’s promises that meet us in life’s storms. Hebrew 13:5 reminds us of His promise to never leave us, nor forsake us.<br />
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We need to be thankful that we know the One who holds the future and can rest in His care. Even when it seems like the whole world is coming down around us, we should remember that Our loving Father has the whole world in His hands.<br />
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We need to be thankful that there is a design in our difficulties. Romans 5:3 tells us that trouble teaches us patient trust in the Lord. And, problems large and small are intended to make us more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).<br />
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Most importantly we need to learn to be thankful for trouble that has not come our way. God spares us many heartaches of which we are unaware. Many people can attest to being saved just in the nick of time from having a serious accident of one kind or another.<br />
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<strong>Eternal Life</strong><br />
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Thirdly, we should be thankful for eternal life.<br />
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Paul exclaims, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)<br />
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God’s grace should make us thankful.<br />
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Romans 3:10-23 reminds us that we are all sinners, undeserving of salvation. Know that it is through the gift of God’s grace that we are saved and receive eternal life.<br />
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We are reminded in John 3:16 that “We who were without hope have been assured that we’ll never perish.” The assurance of eternal life should make us thankful every day (1 John 5:12-13). Just imagine how hopeless life would be without that promise.<br />
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Yes, David encouraged himself to give thanks for his daily blessings, and we should too. We should be thankful for the essentials of life; we should be thankful for everything in life; and, we should be thankful for eternal life. <br />
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Revelations 7:11 tells us that all “Christians will be thankful in heaven.” So let’s start rehearsing heaven’s Song of Thanksgiving. After all, a thankful heart will make our time on earth more heavenly.<br />
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Let me close with these thought provoking words:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>EVERYDAY THANKSGIVING</strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">toast is burned and tempers are short, and my children are so loud,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and wish my circumstances were not so modest,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you, Lord, for life.<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">(From Our Daily Bread, February 20, 1994)<br />
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<strong>I want to thank the Lord for each of you who has taken the time to stop by and read my blog. May God bless you and may you have a very happy Thanksgiving! </strong>Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-50430727062357321912009-11-14T11:52:00.002-05:002009-11-14T11:54:31.340-05:00The Hem of His Garment<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>And had suffered many things of many physicians,</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind,</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>(Mark 5:25-28)</strong></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you believe that faith heals?<br />
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In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians, 99% of doctors questioned believe a relationship exists between faith and physical healing.<br />
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Doctors’ faith in faith was also supported by a California study on the effect of prayer on people recovering from heart problems. About 200 heart patients were assigned to Christians who prayed for them, while an equal number, a control group, received no known prayers. Neither group knew about the prayers, yet those who received prayer developed half the complications that were experienced by those in the control group.<br />
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A similar study by the Dartmouth Medical School examined the effect of prayer on healing when the patients prayed for themselves. The death rate six months after bypass surgery was 9 percent for the general population but only 5 percent for those who prayed for their own healing. The study also indicated that none of the deeply religious patients died during the period of the study (The Associated Press, quoted in “Religion in the News,” Signs of the Times, March 1997, p. 4).<br />
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The Bible gives us many examples of how faith heals, however there is one in particular that stands out.<br />
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In the book of Mark, chapter 5, we learn of a woman who was in great distress. She was a woman who risked everything to find a cure to a seemingly incurable disease. This is the story of her desperation, determination, deliverance, and declaration.<br />
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From the text we learn that Jesus had just returned from a journey. He was welcomed back by a great crowd of people who had expected his return. A man named Jairus, who was the ruler of the synagogue, came to Jesus and pleaded with him to come to his house because his only daughter was at the point of death.<br />
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Jesus does not hesitate. He immediately starts towards the house of Jairus. The people follow him, and the crowd is so thick that they push up against him. Suddenly a woman comes up behind Jesus and touches his garment.<br />
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<strong>Her Story of Desperation</strong><br />
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So what is so special about this woman that her story has been preserved throughout the ages? After all, she was just one of many people who were in the crowd that day.<br />
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In verse 25 and 26, we learn that this woman is physically, financially, and spiritually desperate. She has been sick for 12 long years, she had suffered greatly from the treatment she received from all of the doctors she had gone to, she had spent all of her money, and she was growing worse.<br />
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This woman was physically desperate. She was chronically ill. Her health was gone. None of the doctors she had been to could cure her. She was getting sicker. It is certain that each and every day she woke up desperate to be rid of her affliction. She could not live a normal life because she was consumed by her illness and her need to be rid of it. On top of that her illness classified her as an “unclean” person. People would avoid her because according to the law of that day contact with her could make them unclean as well.<br />
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Financially she was desperate. She had become poor by spending all she had on doctors. You can imagine that she was probably the target of every snake oil salesman around. Verse 26 reads that she had suffered many things of many physicians. The reason she was getting worse might have been traced to some of the so-called cures she was buying from those doctors. In biblical times healing practices often involved the use of amulets and charms, bloodletting, magical spells, incantations, and even exorcisms.<br />
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Granted, her situation was difficult, but it was not unusual. You may know someone in a similar circumstance today. Someone who is sick all of the time, who goes from doctor to doctor and never seems to get better. However, the worst aspect of this woman’s situation was the fact that she was spiritually desperate as well.<br />
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In those days there was a belief that disease was divine punishment and therefore a mark of sin. Her condition, according to the religious law of her day, made her ritually unclean and it barred her from all religious services. This meant she was cut off from the most important activities of the her people. She could not enter the temple courts. Nor could she participate in any of the annual feasts. Her illness had separated her from God.<br />
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<strong>Her Story of Determination</strong><br />
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Verse 27 tells us of this woman’s determination. She had spent all of her money, did everything she could do on her own to be cured, but in the end she was still sick.<br />
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She had heard about Jesus. She had heard about this man and all of the miracles he had performed. She had heard about all of the people he had cured. If she could just get close to him she knew she could be healed too.<br />
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There were plenty of things that could have discouraged her from coming to Jesus that day. The great crowd of people surrounding him might have discouraged her. It was probably very difficult for her to squeeze through the crowd. After all, he had the following of a modern day pop star.<br />
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Another thing that could have discouraged her from coming to Jesus was the importance of his mission. Jairus had just begged Jesus to come to his house to help his daughter who was dying. Did this woman dare do anything that might delay Jesus in getting to that girl? Certainly the life of a child was more important than hers?<br />
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Finally, the woman’s own appearance could have discouraged her from coming to Jesus. She was probably pale and poor looking from her illness. She may have even feared being recognized by one of the people in the crowd as being an unclean person. A woman in her condition had no business mixing in the crowd, much less reaching out to touch a man.<br />
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However, something inside of her pushed her that day and drove her forward. She was determined to be healed regardless of the consequences. Mark 5:28 gives us her thoughts, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”<br />
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In those days there was a popular belief that a person’s dignity and power extended to what he wore. She believed with all of her heart that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes she would be healed. That belief is what gave her the strength to press through to Jesus. The scriptures tell us she, “came in the press behind and touched his garment.”<br />
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<strong>Her Story of Deliverance</strong><br />
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It was this woman’s determination that led to her deliverance, and her deliverance came from contact with Jesus. Verse 34 tells us that her touch of his garment was the touch of faith.<br />
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Now remember that there was a large crowd around Jesus. Verse 31 reads that the people thronged him. In other words there were so many people that they were physically being pushed up against Jesus. But, it was only this one woman’s touch, one motivated by faith that stopped Jesus in his tracks.<br />
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When the woman touched Jesus’ garment he asked, “Who touched me?”<br />
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The disciples seemed to express annoyance that Jesus would ask such a question considering the fact that there was a great crowd all about Jesus and any one of them could have touched him. They may have even concerned that this delay might prevent Jesus from being able to save Jairus’ daughter.<br />
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What they did not understand is that when the woman touched Jesus he became immediately aware that God had exercised his power through Jesus. This woman’s faith moved Jesus and he did not want to let her get away unnoticed. He wanted her to know that it was not his cloak that healed her, but her faith.<br />
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This is a lesson he felt was important for her and for others. That is why he asked out loud, “Who touched me?” He could have simply gone to the woman and quietly whispered in her ear that it was her faith that healed her, but he wanted others to benefit from her example.<br />
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That is how Jesus works in our life. When we take the time to reach out to Jesus he does not simply walk away. Instead he takes the time to let us know he cares, and many times he uses our faithfulness as an example to others.<br />
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<strong>Her Declaration</strong><br />
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Finally, it was her deliverance that led to her declaration. Upon being discovered the woman fell to her knees before Jesus. She was afraid and trembling as she confessed that she was the one who touched him.<br />
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Notice her simple testimony. She told why she had touched Jesus and how she was healed immediately. The fact that she admitted touching Jesus indicates that she not only cared about her physical health, but she wanted to be right with Jesus himself. Her faith, not the grasp of her hand, brought restoration to her. So powerful was her testimony that we still hear her story today.<br />
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And, what was Jesus’ response? He was full of gentleness and compassion towards her as he told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”<br />
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As I read this woman’s story I cannot help but think that she is a picture of all people. We all have problems. These problems do not have to be limited to health issues, but may include additions, financial difficulties, troubled relationships, or one of many things that steal our peace.<br />
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Some of our problems may start out small. We may try to fix them on our own, but the problem just gets bigger. Then we go to the “so called” experts seeking a solution. However, many times we find our problem has just gotten bigger and our wallets have gotten lighter. Why does it seem that it is only when we are at our lowest point that we think of going to God for help?<br />
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We must remember our frailty as humans and know that there are many things (even in today’s world) that only God can fix. No amount of money can guarantee health and comfort, just as no amount of money can buy happiness. Only Jesus can provide the security and wholeness that we seek.<br />
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We can buy pills to ease our pain. Drink to forget our troubles. We can buy material things in an attempt to divert our minds from our woes. But in the end we are still left with our pain and our problems, unless we seek help from the One True Healer.<br />
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Just as the woman’s uncleanliness separated her from God, our sin separates us from God. Rather than take our problems to him we take them to other people. We complain to our friends about our situations. We convince ourselves that we will eventually get our act together. We tell ourselves that our problems are too small to bother God .<br />
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Or, our problems might make us feel unclean. We may feel people are avoiding us, as if somehow contact with us could cause problems for them as well.<br />
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Don’t be like the rest of the people who were in the crowd that day. They pressed up against Jesus, but never really touched him. Christ is so available to us, but even today many do not reach out to him.<br />
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Instead, we need to be more like that woman. She was desperate, but full of determination. Her determination led to her deliverance. Her deliverance led to her declaration. We need to follow her example and reach out and touch Jesus. She reached out to Jesus and he responded.<br />
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Know that things will be different as soon as you press through the crowd and touch Him. He knows the things that you feel. He is listening for the faintest cry from any of His lost lambs. He will meet your every need and send you away in peace.<br />
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Faith does heal. Just don’t be afraid to touch the hem of His garment.<br />
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God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680596110399390551.post-83700688807737026332009-11-08T17:59:00.003-05:002009-11-08T18:06:38.726-05:00Multiplied Bread<div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:9</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There once was a man who fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down.<br />
</div>The man yelled, "Is anyone up there?"<br />
"I’m here. I’m the Lord. Do you believe me?"<br />
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."<br />
"That's all right; if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."<br />
There was a moment of silence, and then the man asked, "Is anyone else up there?" <br />
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How many of us are like that man? God is right there just waiting to lift us out of our troubles and we pull our hand away. What it comes down to is faith. Do we really believe that God can help us when we have problems?<br />
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The biblical account of the feeding of the five thousand with the multiplied bread and fishes is an example of how God came through when there was a seemingly impossible problem. This is more than just a story about a miracle. It is actually part of a great lesson on the Bread of Life.<br />
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Besides Jesus, there are three people specifically mentioned in connection with this event. There is Philip, Andrew, and a boy who gave his lunch. We can learn a lesson from the way that each of these people handled the problem of how to feed so many people.<br />
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First there was Philip.<br />
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<strong>Philip was the man who figured on the least.</strong><br />
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What do we know about Philip? Philip was a Jew and a native of Bethsaida, which is located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist, who preached in the wilderness about the coming Messiah.<br />
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Philip worked as a fisherman, but left that life behind when Jesus found him and asked him to become his disciple. Philip was a man of great faith, and he wanted nothing more than to serve God.<br />
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In John 6, we learn about one particular day where a great multitude of people began following Jesus. Jesus was healing the sick and the people were amazed by the miracles which he performed. Jesus led his disciples up on a mountainside and the crowd followed.<br />
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Five thousand plus people gathered to listen to Jesus, and as the crowd drew near Jesus began to think in very practical terms about feeding the crowd. So, Jesus directed a question to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"<br />
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Talk about an overwhelming situation. How do you feed 5000 people?<br />
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Have you ever faced a situation that was overwhelming? Or, a problem so difficult or complex that resolving it seemed impossible?<br />
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Most of us have. It doesn’t matter how old or how young we are. We all face overwhelming and stressful situations in our life.<br />
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• Maybe the stack of bills on your desk keeps growing and growing.<br />
• Perhaps you are waiting to hear from your doctor about some test results.<br />
• The company you work may have just laid off several workers and you fear you will be next.<br />
• Or, you’re having trouble with an addition. <br />
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Our lives are full of experiences that at times seem overwhelming and beyond our capacity to handle.<br />
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Notice how Jesus saw the problem before Philip did. Jesus saw a need. The people were hungry and needed food. Know that nothing takes Jesus by surprise. <br />
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When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed the people he was actually testing Philip. Jesus knew Philip to be a business-minded person. He knew Philip would think only about the cost of feeding the people. However, Jesus’ plan was to show Philip that he should exercise faith in the Lord for his provisions and not depend entirely on earthly means.<br />
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Figuring on the least, Philip answered Jesus, “"Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:7). Philip had looked the situation over, and was basically saying, “It’s hopeless. Nothing can be done.” To Phillip the problem seemed impossible.<br />
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Is that really a bad approach to an overwhelming situation? It’s practical. It’s realistic. It did seem like a hopeless situation.<br />
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No, Philip’s approach was not a very good one because he did nothing to change the situation. When we believe that nothing can be done, then the situation does indeed become hopeless.<br />
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As we experience problems at home or work, the best way to insure that there will be no improvement or resolution to our situation is to sit back with Philip and say it’s hopeless … nothing can be done.<br />
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• The bills are stacking up, but you go out and buy a new television on credit.<br />
• The doctor says your health problems will improve if you lose weight, but you say you don’t have time to exercise.<br />
• Your company is letting people go, but you can’t seem to get to work on time.<br />
• You know you have a drinking problem, but you don’t want to get help.<br />
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It is good to be realistic and practical, but you have to have more than that.<br />
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In this situation all Philip could do was focus on the problem.<br />
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• They had a huge crowd of over 5000 people.<br />
• They were far away from the nearest town.<br />
• The people were hungry.<br />
• And, they didn’t have the money to feed all those people.<br />
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Many people see only problems and constantly focus on them. Just focusing on our problems does nothing to solve the situation, and it can lead to physical problems such as anxiety attacks, ulcers and even depression.<br />
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Philip should have focused instead on the power of God. After all, he had previously witnessed Jesus perform a similar miracle when He turned water into wine during a wedding. Philip should have said, “Lord, you can perform a miracle like you did at the wedding!” But he didn’t. Instead he said to Jesus that they didn’t have enough money.<br />
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Most of us live far below our potential, because we just focus on our problems. We lack the faith to believe that like that bread, God can take us as we are, and make us more than we can imagine.<br />
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Now we come to Andrew.<br />
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<strong>Andrew was the man who was finding for the Lord.</strong><br />
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Who was Andrew? Andrew was also a Jew and from Bethsaida. His father, Zebedee, ran a successful fishing business which employed, among others, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter.<br />
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Andrew seems to have thought more about matters of the soul than about fishing, for he left his fishing nets to follow John the Baptist. However, after John proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God, Andrew began to follow Jesus. Andrew is best known for his ministry of bringing men to Christ.<br />
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Some people are always fretting over problems, while others are finding possibilities. Andrew was a finder. Right after coming to Jesus, the first thing he did was find his brother Simon Peter and he brought him to Jesus. Often those who are newly converted are the best at finding followers for Christ.<br />
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Were you ever a finder? Do you remember the last time you were a finder?<br />
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• Do you remember the last time you found time to be alone with God?<br />
• Do you remember the last time you found the solution to a problem by referring to God’s Word?<br />
• Do you remember the last time you found someone for Christ?<br />
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While Andrew may not have an answer to the problem of how they were going to feed all those people, he was willing to find a solution. He was the one who found the boy with the five small barley loaves and two small fish.<br />
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However, even though Andrew found the boy, he asks in a realistic tone to Jesus, “how far will they go among so many?”<br />
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How far they will go depends on whose hands they are in.<br />
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• It was God who provided a continual supply of manna to the Israelites as they made their way to the Promised Land?<br />
• It was God who provided endless meal and oil to a widow because she was obedient and gave her last scrap of food to Elijah?<br />
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There is a big difference between Philip’s approach and Andrew’s approach to this problem.<br />
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Andrew takes a realistic approach like Philip. He knows he is facing a difficult situation. However, unlike Philip, he does not give up. He takes the time to find an answer to the problem. He finds a boy with some food.<br />
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<strong>The lad was the one who gave all he had.</strong><br />
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Scripture does not tell us what the boy’s name is. We are not told anything about his parentage. All we know about him is that he was one of many people in the crowd that day that had come to see Jesus. The difference is that he brought his lunch.<br />
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When Andrew looks around to see if there is anyone who can help, the only person he finds among the 5000 people is this small boy … with his lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish. Andrew brings the boy to Jesus, and the boy willingly gives his all to Jesus.<br />
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Philip, Andrew and the boy each had something of value in their approach towards handling this difficult situation. Philip was realistic. Andrew looked for a solution. The boy gave all he had towards the solution.<br />
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Anytime we face an overwhelming situation our approach should include a little of all three approaches.<br />
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The bills may be piling up. The doctor may have just given you some bad news. You may have just been laid off. Maybe you fell off the wagon. These are all serious problems. You can’t pretend they aren’t there. You need acknowledge them in a realistic way like Philip.<br />
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However, you can’t stop there. Next you need to shift into Andrew mode. You can’t just say things are hopeless. You have to be willing to find a solution to your problem. At times you must also be willing to look to someone else for help.<br />
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Then you need to do what that little boy with the lunch did. You need to be willing to give all you have to resolving the situation. If the bills are piling up, then stop making unnecessary bills. If you lose your job, don’t wait until your unemployment runs out to look for a job. Start looking right away.<br />
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Yes, it is important to be realistic about our problems, to seek a solution to them, and to be willing to give everything you have to solve the problem. However, when all is said and done we need to remember that there are some problems that require more than earthly means to be resolved. Some problems can only be solved with the aid of bread. I’m talking about the Bread of Life … Jesus Christ.<br />
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John 6, verse 10, tells us that, “Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down,’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.” Not only was Jesus able to feed the crowd, but afterwards he all of the leftovers collected. A total of twelve baskets were filled with the remaining bread. <br />
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The next day Jesus fed the crowd more than just physical bread; he fed them spiritual bread. Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)<br />
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Jesus had successfully shown Philip that he should exercise faith in the Lord for his provisions and not depend entirely on earthly means. It is a lesson that all of us should learn.<br />
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• When the bills are piling up and you don’t know what to do – put your faith in Jesus.<br />
• When you doctor has told you that you have a serious illness – put your faith in Jesus.<br />
• When your job is gone – put your faith in Jesus.<br />
• When the whole world seems to be coming down on your head – put your faith in Jesus.<br />
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How are you looking at your situation? Are you like Philip, only focusing on the problem? Are you trying to find the possibilities like Andrew? Or, perhaps you just need to turn the whole thing over to Jesus like that little boy.<br />
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Don’t be afraid to accept God’s help when your situation makes you feel like you’re just hanging from a branch on the side of a cliff. He’s reaching out to you. Just know that you can’t lose by reaching out to Him. <br />
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God bless you!Dr. T.L. Sanderferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124763982852466171noreply@blogger.com8