tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13618295379207279912024-03-13T06:53:36.127-04:00 Lowered Wings Reflections when I'm still; waiting; watching.
Ezekiel 1:25Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-36558680721158911992013-08-16T10:25:00.003-04:002013-08-16T10:26:43.032-04:00WAIT<br />
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<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="1030965888" href="https://twitter.com/ajpfreedupfilms" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;"><strong class="fullname js-action-profile-name show-popup-with-id" style="color: #0057b3; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">adriene jordan</strong> <span class="username js-action-profile-name" style="color: #999999; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;"><s style="color: #bbbbbb; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="font-weight: normal;">ajpfreedupfilms</b></span></a><small class="time" style="color: #bbbbbb; float: right; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 1px; position: relative;"><a class="tweet-timestamp js-permalink js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ajpfreedupfilms/status/368374107890401280" style="color: #999999; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;" title="10:10 AM - 16 Aug 13"><span class="_timestamp js-short-timestamp js-relative-timestamp" data-long-form="true" data-time="1376662206">11m</span></a></small></div>
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"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" - Psalm 37:23 </div>
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Christian Evangelist and Educator George Mueller noted in the margins of his bible, "And the stops also." ht <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/crosswalk_com" style="color: #0057b3; text-decoration: none;"><s style="color: #669ad1; text-decoration: none;">@</s><b style="color: #0057b3; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">crosswalk_com</b></a></div>
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How true. How true.</div>
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-Still Processing</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-41371251921826082592013-07-31T13:12:00.002-04:002013-07-31T13:50:56.981-04:00DOORS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>N.B. I did not write the following piece but, for the same reason I named this post "DOORS," I am posting it here for you. </o:p></span>Was blown over by the clarity of an issue that often vexes me and perhaps even sabotages "right" choices. Door #1? Door #2 or Door #3 ?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>How many times have you NOT KNOWN which way to go, chosen a way so you <b>can</b> go yet, remained uncertain even while there was ease and unusual favor during the inevitable road blocks of your journey? We all have been there; facing uncertainty but knowing God wanted us to step out of the boat. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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"Where to?" we so frequently ask, all the while, tiptoeing on that rough water.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>This has been my experience causing me to fret and wring my hands, convinced I didn't properly identify the door God had opened for me. This article just assuaged all that accumulated anxiety. That one open door IS God's answer.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>A good friend recently reminded me to not let perfect be the enemy of good. And so I exhort you, let the door currently open to you, although it doesn't <b>appear</b> to be the <b>perfect</b> answer, be <b>God's</b> faithful answer to your faithful prayer.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Read on. You will love this...</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><b>-Still Processing</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"> <a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">Streams in the Desert - July 31</span></a></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">David cared for them with
pure motives; he led them with skill.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Ps
78:72<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When you are doubtful as to
your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him
to shut against you every door but the right one…Meanwhile keep on as you are,
and consider the absence of indication to be the indication of God’s will that
you are on His track…As you go down the long corridor, you will find that He
has preceded you, and locked many doors which you would fain have entered; but
be sure that beyond these there is one which He has left unlocked. Open it and
enter, and you will find yourself face to face with a bend of the river of
opportunity, broader and deeper than anything you had dared to imagine in your
sunniest dreams. Launch forth upon it; it conducts to the open sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">God guides us, often by
circumstances. At one moment the way may seem utterly blocked; and then shortly
afterward some trivial incident occurs, which might not seem much to others,
but which to the keen eye of <a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/">faith</a>
speaks volumes. Sometimes these things are repeated in various ways, in answer
to <a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/">prayer</a>. They are not
haphazard results of chance, but the opening up of circumstances in the
direction in which we would walk. And they begin to multiply as we advance toward
our goal, just as the lights do as we near a populous town, when darting
through the land by night express.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">—F. B. Meyer</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you go to Him to be
guided, He will guide you; but He will not comfort your distrust or half-trust
of Him by showing you the chart of all His purposes concerning you. He will
show you only into a way where, if you go cheerfully and trustfully forward, He
will show you on still farthcr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">—Horace Bushnell</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/streams-in-the-desert-july-31st.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/streams-in-the-desert-july-31st.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-33158735960489719332013-07-12T18:09:00.002-04:002013-07-12T18:23:00.354-04:00AMEN<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So Be It</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"For
all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God
by us." <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 Corinthians 1:20 </span>(KJV)</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That verse is probably the
most puzzling Scripture you’ve ever committed to memory. Why? Because when you’re
left standing on those unfulfilled promises, you start to pepper yourself with questions
shaded by confusion like, "Did God just slip in a 'No,' somewhere before
that ‘yea and amen’ part? Am I standing in the wrong place? Does that Scripture
even apply to me or is it only for all those ‘Super Christians’ out there
who’ve got this walk sorted out?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Take a closer look at the
Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"In Jesus we hear a
resounding 'yes' to all of God’s many promises. This is the reason we say 'Amen' to and through Jesus when giving glory to God."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 Corinthians 1:20 (</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Voice)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Does that mean you will
get everything you ask for as long as you believe so? Perhaps you’ve come
to believe the verse means if you declare your desired answer over and over God
will just capitulate to the answer you’ve been rehearsing. Maybe you’ve begun
to believe that everything you pray for will be greeted by that ever elusive
“yea and amen” if you supplement your prayers with a lengthy fast - water
only - or praise and worship so robust your vocal chords emerge raw or so much
reading of a Bible Commentary, you could paraphrase Marten Luther's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ninety-Five Theses</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That kind of understanding of “yea and amen” only leads to the disillusionment you’re
now experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As cute as the
concept is, God will never be that “genie in a bottle” who wafts up when you
summon Him. No. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"For as many as [are]
promises of God, in him [are] the Yes, and in him the Amen, for glory to God
through us;" </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 Corinthians 1:20 (</span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Young's Literal
Translation)</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Read
that literal translation, again. He never promised you that “YES” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is His response to everything you
request, everything you want, everything you pray for. That’s the rub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Start
with what He has promised <u>as written in the Bible</u>. Then, you won’t pray
in error. In other words, know what to pray for. Your <b>heart’s</b> desires are a good
pace to start. Not your vanities, not your fantasies. </span>Rewind
your prayer tape to give an honest listen to those heavily detailed requests you send up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with
my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides
of my mouth - a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I
try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn’t a
careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and
Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any
yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling?Wasn’t it a clean, strong Yes?
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2
Corinthians 1:17-22 (The Message)</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">God
promises to keep <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HIS</b> word to meet
your needs and many of your wants - in order to complete the good work He began in you
until Jesus returns. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"And
my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ
Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So,
you want to get married?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for
a mate. That’s cool. It’s not good for man to be alone. That’s in the Bible. A
marriage partnership is a good thing but your whacky specifics can lead you to that narrow place of disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Specifics
aren’t bad when they make sense and aren’t fantasies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mate who looks like Clooney with the height of Denzel? A
mate built like Kate Upton with the complexion of Halle Berry? The stock options of Warren
Buffett, credentials of Sheryl Sandberg and skill set of Dr. Ben Carson?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, we frame our prayers with
those kinds of dubious details.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do
you have any of the same to match that mate you want in your life? That’s a
good way to judge if your prayers are just vanity or are somewhat realistic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ok, so you want a nice home. That's cool. What
about that house you’ve walked around seven times? Can you even afford a 5%
down payment on the $2.2m McMansion you've pinned to your PInterest board? How about that 3 bedroom, $850K condo?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let it go. Go pray across town and
start circling that semi-detached you can afford. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unless you’re Mark Batterson trying
to open a coffee house to the glory of God, you most likely will not get an
anonymous $3m to purchase a home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
Pastor Michael Giroux of The City Church DC says, “Plan for the practical and
pray for the miracle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ok, so you want a nice car to get around. Nothing wrong with that. Just stop asking God for a Rolls or that other hand-made, crazy expensive vehicle. Just go buy it. Clearly, you
can afford such a beauty; its upkeep; its gas and the insurance on it. Oh, you
can’t? LET IT GO. Get a Toyota.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">God
promised the following with His "yea and amen" to back it up:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He
would heal you; give you peace; be the banner over you. He promised He would never
leave you; that you have the victory over your enemy and you won’t have to beg
for food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He promised
He would settle the barren woman in her home as the happy mother of children;
that He would be Baal Perazim – God of the breakthrough – and be your Shepherd.
He promised yea and amen to the new mercies you would see every morning and
that the cattle on a thousand hills belong to <b>Him.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He
said, “Yea and Amen” to your righteousness shining forth as the noon day sun; that He will give you a crown of beauty for your ashes and that the valley you are walking through is but a shadow. He promised to
prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies and He said, “Yes
and So Be it” to that tremendous plan, hope and future He has written out for you
next to your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He
promised “Yea” with an affirmation to renew your strength; that living waters flow for
you and that you are the lender not the borrower; that you are the head and
not the tail and that if you obey Him, you will be blessed coming in and going
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stand
on those promises He made - in writing. That is where you get His “yea and amen.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Corrie
Ten Boom said, “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when
God pries your fingers open.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Follow her advice if you want to lay hold of what He means when He says, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">For all the promises of God in him are yea,
and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." </i> AMEN and SO BE IT!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b>-Still Processing</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-6439563987550232182013-07-01T16:13:00.001-04:002013-07-01T16:18:03.558-04:00EXEUNT (HAGAR IV)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The following is a piece I did NOT author. It is the final section to the HAGAR series I posted all of June and today. It is so good, I am still processing it. The good news in this sometimes sad tale is that God is rooting for each player in the drama. There is no Protagonist, no Antagonist, only a good God directing everyone to their best life. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #92cddc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 200%;">
<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Forecast Concerning Ishmael</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10"><span style="color: #92cddc;">http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10</span></a><span style="color: #92cddc;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> In
the strength of the revelation of God received in the desert, Hagar returned to
her mistress and bore Abraham his child. Abraham was 86 years of age <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.16.16"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Genesis 16:16</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">)</span> and then, when he
reached his 100th year <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.21.5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis 21:5</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">),</span> Sarah bore him Isaac.
This means that for over 14 years Hagar and her son lived in the patriarch’s
home with all the tension and feeling there must have been as Sarah daily
looked upon the son of her husband by another woman. After Isaac was born Hagar
and Ishmael began to manifest their jealousy, and when Ishmael began to
maltreat Isaac, Sarah could stand it no longer, and compelled Abraham to cast
out the bondwoman and her child. As Bible names often set forth some feature of
the character or history of those who bore them, so Ishmael meaning “God shall
hear,” was fully understood by Hagar when in the wilderness <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.21.9-Gen.21.21"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis 21:9-21</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">) </span>God heard the moaning of
her broken heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> How
painters and poets have seized upon this pathetic incident of the poor woman
and her boy in the wilderness, thirst-ridden and ready to die! One of the
finest masterpieces adorning the Dresden Gallery is the painting called <i>Hagar
in the Wilderness</i>—and cold is the heart that can gaze upon it without deep
emotion. The boy is pictured on his back, dying with thirst, while his poor but
beautiful mother in an agonizing prayer, “lifted up her voice and wept,”
saying, “Let me not see the death of the child.” Could anything be more
poignant? True, Hagar had “despised Sarah” and “mocked Isaac,” but surely she
had not deserved such cruel treatment as this—death from hunger and thirst in a
barren land!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But
how Hagar’s extremity became God’s opportunity. When the last drop of water had
gone, and Hagar tenderly places her almost dead boy under the shrubs, God heard
the dying cry of the lad, and also the wail of Hagar’s broken heart, for out of
heaven came His voice, “What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not.” Then God opened her
eyes and she saw a well of water, and both she and her boy were saved from
death. Abraham had given Hagar a bottle, but it was soon empty. God gave her a
well, and the lad drank and God was with him, and he grew and became an archer
in the wilderness. The last glimpse we have of Hagar is of her securing a wife
for her son, out of the land of Egypt, her own land <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.21.21"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis 21:21</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">)</span>—the land of idols and
worldliness. Untaught by the piety and instruction of Abraham, and by God’s
mercy to herself, Hagar failed Him in the choice of such a wife for the boy
whom He had blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> The
practical lessons to be learned from the history of Hagar have been fittingly
summarized by Dr. James Crichton in his article on Hagar in <i>The
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</i>—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>The
life and experience of Hagar teach, among other truths, the temptations
incident to a new position; the foolishness of hasty action in times of trial
and difficulty; the care exercised over the lonely by the all-seeing God; the
Divine purpose in the life of everyone, however obscure and friendless; how God
works out His gracious purposes by seemingly harsh methods; and the strength,
comfort and encouragement that ever accompany the hardest experiences of His
children.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It
only remains to be said that Paul uses the story of Hagar as an allegory to
distinguish law from grace <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal.4.21-Gal.4.31"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Galatians 4:21-31</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">).</span> Hagar the bondwoman is
contrasted with Sarah the freewoman, and Ishmael “born after the flesh” with
Isaac “born through promise”; thence freedom and grace appear as the
characteristic qualities of Christianity. Hagar represents the Old Covenant and
Sarah the New Covenant which is superior to the Old with its ordinances. Under
grace all within the household of faith live by faith, and Sarah represents
“the Jerusalem that is above”—“our mother” (rv), which is the free spiritual
city to which all children of the promise even now belong <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil.3.21"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Philippians 3:21</span></span></a></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">).</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-61095123506290409352013-06-21T13:50:00.000-04:002013-06-25T18:02:05.730-04:00UNTENABLE (HAGAR III)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">N.B. All JUNE
posts are excerpts from <i>All the Women of the Bible</i></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10</span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I did NOT author this post.
I am STILL PROCESSING it because the piece is so good! Each time I
read about Hagar, I get angry with Abraham! His choice caused trouble still reverberating generations later. Hagar was the victim of Abraham’s ill-advised
action. She was a mere slave in his household. In other words, she was not an “at-will”
employee who could rebuff Abraham's sexual advances. Hagar was a slave subject to the commands and whims of her owners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I can imagine when her
boss, Sarah, told Hagar to have sex with Abraham, Hagar felt bone crushing pain
- inside. First, because she was being forced to procreate; that with her
boss’s husband and with an old man – Abraham was 76 years old when Ishmael was born!
Then, Hagar had to allow this man, of a strangely different culture than her own
Egyptian one, to father this child she knew could never be her own. She would be
forced to hand the heir over to her frustrated, mean, childless boss,
Sarah. Awful dynamics. They get weirder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I am willing to believe
Hagar held out hope that bearing such indignities, child included, could be assuaged by having a son which, in turn, would give her status within the household and
increased value in the eyes of her owners. Didn’t happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Abraham should have told
Sarah an unequivocal, “No! No, I am not having sex with that woman. God made a
promise to me and I believe Him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">With unwavering
conviction, he should have told his aching wife, Sarah,“I am having that baby with you,
Honey. Hang in there. This thing will happen. And besides that, I don’t want
Hagar involved in our promise, ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But he didn’t refuse
Sarah's anxiety ridden request. He didn’t calm her with words of faith. He did
the dirty with the slave maid and there came Ishmael. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Admittedly, I am foisting
my 21st century, Western sensibilities onto the ancient circumstance. I am blissfully choosing to ignore my familiarity with that practice of old. Still, I
posit that had Abraham “manned up,” held his “manhood” in check, exercised his
godly authority as head of the household refusing his wife’s distraught
request, the painful results we see today would have been
avoided. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hagar, I am sorry you were
forced to play understudy in Abraham and Sarah’s dream. The promise was never
made to you; no role drawn up for you. You had to improvise. I thank God He
delivered you from their nightmare. Read on…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>The Flight of Hagar</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #92cddc;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10"><span style="color: #92cddc;">http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Strife quickly followed
the human arrangement that Sarah had made. Having conceived by Abraham, Hagar
chides the childless Sarah, and the jealousy begotten between these two women
was transplanted to their maternal hearts and penetrated even their children.
Ishmael came to tease and vex Isaac, and discord arose between Abraham and
Sarah. The ill treatment accorded to Hagar by Sarah was not only cruel, but
also irrational. Had Sarah not instigated the wrongdoing that was the cause of
her jealousy? Therefore it was unreasonable for her to lay the blame upon
another. As things were, mistress and maid could scarcely dwell together, so
Hagar fled. Better a flight than a fight! Being compelled to flee was a thing
forbidden to a bondwoman.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Far from home in “the way
to Shur,” the appearance of a calm and gracious angelic messenger from God must
have been a relief to the poor, pregnant fugitive. As Hagar traveled further
from her jealous mistress the Lord was at her heels, and said to her in her
distress, “Return to thy mistress.” Hagar had left her position as handmaid
without notice and without permission, so she must return. Sarah had wronged
her, but she was not permitted to retaliate by doing wrong herself. Two wrongs
do not make a right. It was no easy matter for Hagar to return and submit
herself to Sarah, but it was the only right course, and a divine revelation
helped her to pursue it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>At that renowned well
Hagar met God, and in awe cried, “Thou God seest me.” He had given her counsel,
and although not pleasing to flesh and blood, Hagar took it and went back to
Sarah. Had she persisted in remaining in the desert she might have died in it.
God gave her a promise that although the wrongdoing of her master and mistress
had led her into a false position, yet His favor would rest upon her and she
would have a son who would be the progenitor of a great multitude. The soothing
promise of God was a balm for the wounded spirit of the poor and lowly
handmaid. Though Ishmael, the name God gave Hagar for her coming son, might not
be the Child of Promise as Isaac would be, yet he would be the child of a
promise made to her.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Is it to be wondered at
that she called the well where God spoke to her and revealed the future of her
son “Beth-lahairoi,” meaning, “The well of Him that liveth and seeth me”? It
was there that the veil fell from Hagar’s eyes, and she received the assurance
that she was the object of God’s special care. Dr. Alexander Whyte extols Hagar
for her submission to God in this glowing fashion—<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Hagar, by reason of the
extremity of her sorrow; by reason of the utter desolateness and brokenness of
her heart; and by reason of the sovereign grace and abounding mercy of
God—Hagar, I say, stands out before us in the very foremost rank of faith, and
trust, and experience, and assurance. Hagar, to me, stands out among God’s very
electest saints. Hagar has only one or two who can stand beside her in her
discovery of God, in her nearness to God, in her face-to-face fellowship with
God, in the instructiveness, in the comfort, and in the hopefulness of her so
close communion with God.... The best and the most blessed of them all was not
more or better blessed than was Hagar the polluted outcast on her weeping way
to Shur. The pure in heart shall see God.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><b>- Still Processing</b></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-47773040772010778172013-06-10T14:23:00.001-04:002013-06-21T14:07:25.333-04:00BADBOSS (HAGAR II)<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">N.B. All JUNE
posts are excerpts from <i>All the Women of the Bible</i></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2013/06/10</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I did NOT author this
post. Because the piece is so good, I am STILL PROCESSING it myself. One of the
lessons illustrated here is that even the strongest Believers falter - in their
faith, in their decision-making. Sarah was a godly woman who had seen Yahweh
miraculously perform multiple times in her life. Yet, she stumbled at the
promise she wanted to see fulfilled more than anything else she had ever hoped
for in her life - having a baby with her husband, Abraham. Perhaps growing
tired of the 25 year wait after receiving God's word about having that son or
perhaps trying to comprehend how she could now conceive since she was already
ninety years old, Sarah's despondency catapulted her to the actions you
must read below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b>The Folly of Sarah</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>We have already seen that
Sarah’s folly had its root in unbelief. She was impatient, and wanted the
promised child without delay. Her unbelief became contagious for “Abraham
hearkened unto her voice.” The pious phrases she uttered were worthless. “The
Lord judge” (16:5). She should have appealed for judgment to the Lord before
she took the wrong step. She was a godly woman (Hebrews 11:11), but fell into
the meshes of unbelief. With distrust there came dishonor. She confessed “my wrong,”
but Hagar was the real sufferer, and Sarah’s sin bore bitter fruit, for when
she gave Hagar to Abraham, she originated a rivalry which has run in the
keenest animosity through the ages, and which oceans of blood have not
quenched.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>- Still Processing</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(see <i>HAGAR III</i> for more about the fallout Sarah's act of desperation continues to have on her descendants)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-4389200415516996502013-06-10T13:40:00.002-04:002013-06-10T14:26:50.894-04:00HAGAR I<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>N.B. The posts for all of JUNE are excerpts from <i>All the Women of the Bible</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/today"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/today</span></a><br />
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I did NOT author this post. Because the piece is so good, I am STILL PROCESSING it myself. I want to share with you how El Shaddai cleaned up the mess HAGAR and others made of her life. His redemption intersected at a miracle of mercy and fulfilled promises for Hagar, Sarah and Abraham, in spite of their recklessness. The take-away is Yahweh is good in spite of our folly that can and should be an offense to Him. That point is so poignantly and generously made in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20103&version=VOICE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">Psalm 103 (The Voice)</span></a></div>
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<i><b>"8</b> The Eternal is compassionate and merciful. When we cross all the lines, He is patient with us. When we struggle against Him, He lovingly stays with us—changing, convicting, prodding.<b> 9</b> He will not constantly criticize, nor will He hold a grudge forever. <b>10 </b>Thankfully, God does not punish us for our sins and depravity as we deserve. In His mercy, He tempers justice with peace. <b>11</b> Measure how high heaven is above the earth; God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him. <b>12 </b>You see, God takes all our crimes—our seemingly inexhaustible sins—and removes them. As far as east is from the west, He removes them from us."</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><i>The Woman Who Lost a Bottle But Found a
Well</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Scripture References</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">—</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: cyan; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.16.1-Gen.16.16,Gen.21.9-Gen.21.17,Gen.25.12,Gal.4.24,Gal.4.25">Genesis 16;
21:9-17; 25:12; Galatians 4:24, 25</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>Name Meaning</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">—Hagar, an Egyptian name,
closely resembles the root of the Arabic, flight, familiar to us as the
history of Mohammed, descendant of Hagar. It may be taken as an adaptation of
her original name to the principal circumstances of her life, and understood to
mean, fugitive or immigrant, which Hagar became.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>Family Connections</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">—While the Bible gives us
no record of Hagar’s genealogy, legend has supplied her pedigree, as being the
daughter of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, the same who coveted the possession of
Sarah in vain. This legendary source affirms that the Egyptian princess became
so attached to Sarah that she told her royal father that she would accompany
her when she returned to Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> “What!” cried the king,
“thou wilt be no more than a handmaid to her!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> “Better to be a handmaid
in the tents of Abraham than a princess in this palace,” the daughter replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hagar would not stay
behind and join again in the idolatrous rites of her home, so when Abraham and
Sarah moved on, she went with them. Sarah was an active missionary of the faith
of Jehovah among women, as Abraham was among men, and so Hagar became a convert
to the worship of the true God. While this is a pleasing tradition, the
likelihood is that Hagar was an Egyptian girl-slave whom Sarah secured for her
household while she and Abraham were in Egypt. Hagar bore Abraham his first
son, Ishmael, and thus became the foundress of the Ishmaelites and Arab peoples
from whom came Mohammed, the founder of Islam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If Hagar was a slave girl
then her mistress was legally entitled to do as she pleased with her. Knowing
that it was humanly impossible for her to have children by Abraham, she gave
her handmaid to him, that she might have children by her—a custom consistent
with moral standards prevailing at that time. Abraham reminded Sarah that her
word was law to her own slave and that he had no choice in the matter. Under
Sumero-Babylonian law there is this clause in Hammurabi’s Code—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If she has given a maid to
her husband and she has borne children and afterwards that maid has made
herself equal with her mistress, because she has borne children her mistress
shall not sell her for money, she shall reduce her to bondage and count her
among the female slaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But Sarah ran ahead of God
in giving a Gentile idolater from a pagan country to Abraham to bear the
promised seed. Poor Hagar—she became the helpless victim of Sarah’s scheming!
The whole affair was a sin before God—a sin all three were guilty of. Sarah
distrusted God when she resorted to such a wicked expedient. As a child of
faith, did she not know that God was able to raise up children out of stones
unto Abraham? As for this “friend of God,” in spite of current custom, he
should have stoutly refused Sarah’s scheme and obeyed the law of God, and
believed the divine promise made to him. The attempt to secure the Child of
Promise by Hagar was the result of a lack of faith in God’s omnipotence. Then,
Hagar, although the least free and the least responsible, should not have
yielded to such an unholy alliance merely to gratify any ambition she may have
had. What sorrow, anguish and loneliness Hagar reaped for her compliance in
such a plan to forestall God’s promise of an heir for Abraham (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.15.4,Gen.15.5"><span style="color: #4cffff; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Genesis 15:4, 5</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Although the chapter
recording the unworthy method of trying to fulfill a divine purpose is only a
short one, yet like the shortest verse in the Bible, it is saturated with
tears. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.16.1-Gen.16.16"><span style="color: #4cffff; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Genesis 16</span></a>
is made up of only sixteen verses and with such we have these three features— (see HAGAR II)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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-Still Processing</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-63147648971587550002013-05-15T18:24:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:00:37.880-04:00PROOF II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I Believe What You Said. Now, Will You Prove It?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Haven’t you ever asked God for a fleece? Asked Him to show you a sign that you were on the right path? What about the time you asked Him for that one phone call to light up your screen, that one conversation to happen without your initiation, that one email to be sitting in your box, that one scripture to shimmer on the page before it jumped off the page?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the fleece; the PROOF you’re requesting to confirm your belief. You’re not alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When God promised Abram, a childless nomad, that he would father many nations and own prime land for generations, Abram believed God. He also requested PROOF. Abram wanted to make sure that vision he had invested in was of God. “And the Lord credited it to him as righteousness.” God gladly provided Abram PROOF. Spontaneous combustion consumed the big cow, goat, ram and two pigeons Abram had prepared to sacrifice .<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2015:1-21&version=NIV;VOICE"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis 15: 1-21</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When Moses asked God for PROOF that he had His favor to lead a migrant nation, God gave it to him. You see, even though Moses was sure he heard God tell him he was doing a great job, the problem was the job and his followers were getting tougher and more unruly. Even God didn’t want to be near them. So Moses made a simple request of God - high stakes, though. Moses asked God if he could see His glory. Moses not only got his PROOF at Horeb, he lived to write about it! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2033:13-20&version=NIV;VOICE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Exodus 33: 13-20</span></a> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When the people’s priest, childless Zechariah, freaked out about his chat over incense in the Holy of Holies with the angel Gabriel, Zechariah got schooled during his crisis of faith. Gabriel piled it on. He told Zechariah that his very barren wife, Elizabeth, was going to have a son; that this son would walk in the spirit and power of Elijah (no small thing to Jews who knew Holy Writ) and that said son would prepare nations to receive the awaitedMessiah. Zechariah, a godly descendant from the line of Aaron, wigged out. Why? He had burned incense in that temple many times before and never experienced a conversation with an angel, let alone Gabriel. Zechariah begged for PROOF. He got it. And to protect it, Gabriel put Zechariah’s tongue on lockdown until John the Baptist was born 9 months later.<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Luke%201:5-25&version=NIV;VOICE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 1:5-25</b></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When Mary - the virgin teen ager who kept herself for Joseph, her betrothed - asked angel Gabriel about how she could be pregnant already, without having had sex, she got immediate PROOF that what she had experienced with the angel wasn't a delusion,. As soon as she saw her pregnant older cousin, Elizabeth, Zechariah's baby boy, leaped happily in her womb. Then, the no longer barren Elizabeth, started calling Mary blessed for believing the whole scenario!<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Luke%201:%2039-44%20&version=NIV;VOICE"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Luke 1: 39-44 </span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">More PROOF for Mary assuring her that she had invested her belief in the right thing came when Joseph told her about his dream. It assuaged his reservations about marrying her over being pregnant without him. It was a confirmation she needed.<b> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201:18-25&version=NIV;VOICE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Matthew 1:18-25</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then, there’s Thomas the Apostle also known as "Doubting Thomas." This guy had hung out with Jesus for a good three years, most likely saw everything he did, heard everything he said. Thomas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> lived side by side with the Fulfillment of Prophecy. But when he heard Jesus had fulfilled the resurrection piece. Thomas didn't even consider that all he had hung around for had come to pass. Thomas BOLDLY </span>declared he wasn’t even going to believe Jesus had risen from the dead unless he touched him. He didn't hesitate for a moment to say, "Wow. It finally happened. I believed all this time. I sure would love to see." No, Thomas said he wouldn't believe until he saw. And you know what Jesus gave Thomas the PROOF he demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">any longer. Believe!”</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.</span></i></b></div>
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But Thomas got busted.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i>“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20: 27-29 (NLT)</i></span></b></div>
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You see, Thomas had not invested his faith in what was told him. He didn't even try. He held out until he could see in what he would believe.</div>
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You're request for PROOF from God is not like Thomas' request. Not when you have stood on what you have heard from Him, invested your hope and talent in that vision from Him, memorized those Scriptures about Him and wept day and night during those prayers you've cried out to him. No, your request for PROOF is just what God enjoys so that He can show you His glory before He even gets started showing you His answer!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Isaiah 7:10-11 (NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Lord again spoke to Ahaz: “Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 7:10-11 (NET)</span></span></i></b></i></b><br />
<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></i></b></i></b></div>
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<b><i></i></b></div>
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<b><i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eternal One</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(to Ahaz)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">:</span> Ask for <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">proof,</span> a sign from the Eternal your God. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Go ahead,</span> ask anything, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">anything at all;</span> it can be high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Isaiah 7:10-11 (Voice)</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></i></b></div>
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<b><i></i></b></div>
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<h3 style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</h3>
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<b><i>-Still Processing</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-51413858777349915402013-05-15T16:18:00.000-04:002013-05-16T12:54:26.656-04:00PROOF I<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Evidence: Not for Lawyers Only</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What do a wheat farmer
turned general, a nomad turned land owner, a childless priest turned father of
a son who changes the world and a prince turned nomad have in common? At first
glance, not much. What if you know they’re Gideon, Abraham, Zachariah and
Moses? Can you guess then? If you’re still stumped add Thomas the Apostle and
yourself to the list. Got it, yet? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Everyone on the list,
including you, has asked God for PROOF. <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Proof
</span>that a promise you believe He’s made will come true. <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Proof</span> that a dream you believe He’s
breathed in your heart will come to pass. <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Proof</span>
that all you’re building your faith on is not a misplaced hope, childish
fantasy or dangerous delusion. <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Proof</span>
that you're not standing in the wrong place at the wrong time for the wrong
thing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Still, at the root of your
need for PROOF is a hint of doubt whispering into your belief. It’s ok to admit.
We all experience that gnawing sense of uncertainty that the finances we
thought Jehovah-Jireh had promised just may not come, the house He had us
circle seven times just may be a frivolous desire,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the healthy body Jesus died for just may elude us on this
side, the spouse of our future He told us to stay pure for may be a
fantasy. God gets it. If He gave you those desires, planted them in your heart,
your imagination, you prayer life, your soul and you believe them, He delights in your request for PROOF. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Again
the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether
in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Isaiah 7:10-11
(NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Faith can falter. God
knows so He guarantees His promises. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid
guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word
cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. <b>Hebrews 7:
13-18 (The Message)</b></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Consider Gideon. He requested
PROOF that he had heard right after his in-your -face, one on one with an Angel.
While hiding in a winepress to thrash his wheat, Gideon saw an angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, said angel called him a “mighty
man of valor,” or in other words, brave soldier. That’s probably about the time
Gideon started rehearsing his request for PROOF. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save
Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <b>sending
you?” Pardon me,
my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this
happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told
us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’
But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the </b></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>hand
of Midian”</b></span></i></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike
down all the
Midianites, leaving none alive.”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Made no sense in light of
his current reality. Gideon’s response is understandable – a little astonishment,
a lot of doubt since God’s statement defied Gideon’s reality. From Farmer to
General – overnight - based on an angel sighting and celestial voice. Wouldn’t
you request PROOF that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what you
have just been persuaded to believe is real? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gideon
replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign
that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I come
back and bring my offering and set it before you.” Judges 6:14-18
(NIV)</i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Your humble requests have
probably been close to Gideon’s most likely sounding something like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Pardon me, Lord. Uhmm. I really,
really, really need some PROOF that I am hearing this right. I want to
believe it. In fact, I do believe it. But….what if I am hearing things? Just in
case, can I get a little PROOF?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God quickly gives Gideon
indisputable PROOF. A rock burst into flames then roasted his meal! After
that, Gideon immediately obeyed God. Even though he did it under the cover of night to remain anonymous (he will still grappling with the notion of being made a military strategist), Gideon destroyed Israel’s Asherah
poles. Then, God piled it on. He told Gideon to go fight. Gideon thought that a
little premature. So, Gideon submits his second request for PROOF. God gave it
to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gideon
said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised — look,
I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there
is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know
that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what
happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece
and wrung out the dew — a bowlful of water. Judges 6: 36-38</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then Gideon asked again - a total of three unabashed times Gideon requested PROOF. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what? Three times, God gave it to him. God never balked
and said, “Oh, ye of little faith.” He honored Gideon’s request – to the
smallest detail!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b><i>- Still Processing</i></b></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-17514680611671261082013-04-22T18:39:00.000-04:002013-04-23T09:47:27.676-04:00STAND III<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Earth, Wind
and Fire: Head to the Sky</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You must be living right
if you get picked up in a heaven – bound, multiple horse-powered, fiery ride
that leaves everybody in a whirlwind of your dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah surely was. He got his last ride on a celestial chariot
and broke the sound barrier into eternity! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Elijah had endured for God
in spite of the people in his life that made him wish he were dead. Ever been
there - white knuckling it as you determine to stand in God’s perfect will even
while life lands blow after blow on your hopes and prayers? Remember what
Elijah faced as He walked in God’s perfect will?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This Mighty Man of God first
broke onto the scene in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2017&version=KJV;VOICE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1 Kings 17</span>.</span></a> God appointed Elijah to speak out
against the idolatrous reign of Israel’s duplicitous King Ahab and his wicked
wife, Queen Jezebel. Those two got sick of Elijah doing treasonous things like
withholding rain for three years, showing up with nothing but bad news, calling
them mean names like “Hypocrite” and humiliating their palace employees –
namely the 450 priests in charge of their Baal worship. Jezebel only decided to
slice Elijah to bits when he added insult to royal injury by slaying her devoted,
Baal loving leaders - en masse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, like any reasonable,
miracle working man of God who could raise kids from the dead and summon fire
from heaven, Elijah - the mighty prophet, anointed and favored to withstand the
wrath of Kings and Princes; the powerful man of influence whom angels fed; the fearless traveler who could, on foot, outpace horse drawn chariots
cross country - RAN FOR THE HILLS! Yep, that’s right. He got scared, tossed in
the towel, experienced major suicidal ideation, holed himself up in a cave on
the Mountain of God and fell sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Have you ever told God you
were staying put, snuggled safely under your warm, soft sheets to avoid the
hard-edged, fierce world antagonizing your prayer-filled fight of faith? Have
you occasionally veered from your God gps’d path because it was too painful to
serve those adversarial people not cooperating with you? We all have. And just
like God met Elijah when he was in that cave of despondency, He
goes there with you, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When he [Elijah] arrived <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">at Horeb,</span> he walked into a cave and
rested for the night.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Eternal One</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(to Elijah)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">:</span> Why are you here, Elijah? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What is it that you desire?</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Kings 19: 9 (The Voice)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do you know how Elijah
answered that question folks long to hear from a fairy-tale genie let alone the True and Living God of the Universe? He complained!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He replied, “I have been
very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your
covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.
I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19: 10
(NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yet, God didn't chide Elijah for kvetching and accusing the people to whom he was called
to minister. He gave Elijah a break. Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He will not constantly
criticize, nor will He hold a grudge forever.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thankfully,</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> God does not punish us for our sins and depravity
as we deserve. Psalm 103: 9-10 (The VOICE)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God made a deal with
Elijah. Because He “gets it” when we get in that despondent place,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He has removed our sins as
far from us as the east is from the west.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord is like a father
to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>For he knows how weak we are; he
remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103: 12-14 (NLT)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God showed His
glory to Elijah, anyway, to strengthen his faith; to show Elijah he was right where he was supposed to be. On that same Holy Ground - Mount Horeb - where God revealed Himself to Moses <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33&version=NIV;KJV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">Exodus 33:12-23</span></a>, God showed that even the mightiest wind, earthquake and fire were under His control; something from which Elijah could glean that God is not subject to the creation, but creation to Him; not subject to life - threatening circumstances, but those circumstances to Him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Your circumstances, </span>especially when you are in His perfect will, can be incomprehensibly tough. Still, they are subject to Him. He is not the chaos in which you find yourself , but He is present in that appointed place, with His still, small voice inquiring through those disturbances rocking your world. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Elijah did not watch God's display even though he was in the appointed place. He had to peek out from his cave to respond to God. </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%2019.11-14&version=NIV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">1 Kings 19: 11-15</span></a> </span></u>He had withdrawn instead
of keeping his head to the sky and watching all that earth, wind and fire! When
the glory show was done, God posed the very same question for Elijah, perhaps because Elijah
was in the very same place. And Elijah’s response to God’s second question?
That very same complaint.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And through this breeze</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> a <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">gentle, quiet</span> voice entered into Elijah’s ears. He covered his
face with his cloak and went to the mouth of the cave. Suddenly, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Elijah was surprised</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Eternal One:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Why are you here, Elijah?
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What is it that you desire?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Elijah:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">As you know,</span> all my
passion has been devoted to the Eternal God of <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">heavenly</span> armies. The Israelites have abandoned Your covenant <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">with them,</span> they have torn down <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">every one of</span> Your altars, and they
have executed all who prophesy in Your name by the sword. I am the last <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">remaining prophet,</span> and they now seek
to execute me as well. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">They won’t
stop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Eternal One:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Travel back the same way you traveled here</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 Kings 19:12-15 (The Voice)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Imagine if Elijah, instead of answering God's question, 'What are you doing here?' with a complaint, had said something like, <i><b>"I am standing on your Word, that's what I am doing here! I am counting on you to do through me again, every mighty thing you did before! I see how the rocks and stones themselves worship you! So do I! I refuse to leave this place afraid!"</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Don't stay holed up in melancholy, discouragement and defeat. You miss SO much. Do you want to go back
the way you came? Do you want God to ask you the same question twice because
you are out of position with your first response? At least He asks a second time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is your answer going to be to "What are you doing here?" How about a little declaration of praise and determination? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">No
matter how hard life gets we must STAND. Stand even if it's a faith-threatening storm casting your dreams to the wind; a shaking so fierce it quakes
the foundation of Bible verses on which you are standing; a fire so intense
that your hopes are consumed by disappointment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through
the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you
will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The good news is God sent Elijah back to
complete his tasks - anointing and appointing a few more kings, meeting his
successor Elisha, and prepping for his flight to heaven. Elijah hung in there, eventually took his stand and rode off into the sunset of Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Keep your head to the sky when the earth, wind and fire threaten you. After the show, God's still small voice is there to whisper His love and direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- Still Processing</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-44766881256679582402013-04-18T19:22:00.002-04:002013-04-22T15:00:40.205-04:00STAND II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Earth, Wind and Fire: Electric Universe</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ever tell God, “Just
please, stop. NO MORE!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
slapping the mat of your life in surrender while the latest trial feels like it
has you in a headlock? Trial after trial, tribulation after tribulation does
that to you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not alone.
Consider Elijah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“He
came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might
die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. ‘Take my life; I am no <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>better
than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the bush and <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">fell
asleep.” </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Kings 19: 4-5 (NIV)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He was a Prophet of God
who hit the wall of depression, discouragement and fear even while walking in
obedience. Sound familiar? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God cared about Elijah’s
emotional state so He gave him something to do. He told Elijah to journey to a
mountain to meet Him there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
a forty-day journey that included a climb so God provided Elijah with food and
water before he left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
demonstrates that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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1) God provides what we need to accomplish what He asks us to do</div>
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2) Even while He asks us to continue through the pain – towards Him – He
promises we can make it up that mountain. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“He makes my feet
like the feet of a deer; he causes me to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">stand</span> on<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the
heights.” </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Psalm 18:33 (NIV)</span></i></b></div>
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3) God urges us to that intimate mountaintop experience with Him because it
situates us above the fray of everything assailing us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Elijah made that trip up Mount Horeb but,</div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“There
he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lord
came to him: ‘What are you doing <u>here</u></span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, Elijah?</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"The
Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of
the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Still, Elijah did not exit
the cave. The mighty man of God stayed holed up; withdrawn and isolated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We do the same. Many of us
attend church, sing the praise songs and even read the Bible from the latest
App. But we can stay in a funk. We are rightly expecting to see God’s glory but
worry, angst, and disappointment – all our distraught emotions - fragment us. We retreat from God just when His glory is about to manifest. </span>God didn’t fault Elijah
anymore than He faults us. He showed His glory anyway.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">“Then
a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the
rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in
the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not
in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.</i> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When Elijah heard
it, he pulled
his cloak over his face and went out and
stood at the
mouth of the cave." </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>1 Kings 19: 11-13 (TNIV)</b></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Imagine
what Elijah could have seen, felt and heard had he obeyed God completely. Had
Elijah stood, really taken his STAND on the mountain and not retreated into the cave, He
would have witnessed the holy pyrotechnics of earth, wind and fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Perhaps he would have felt
that wind whip across his face refreshing him, breathing in new life and vigor.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Perhaps those crumbling rocks and the swaying ground beneath him would have forced a stance Elijah never knew his
legs could bear. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i></i></b></div>
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<b><i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">"You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">me; your help has made me great." </span></i></b></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Psalm 18:35 (NIV)</span></i></b></i></b></div>
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<b><i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></i></b></div>
<br />
And what about that
fire?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps he would have felt
its intense purification but never the searing temperatures of its heat. Perhaps his
stand on Holy Ground would have made him witness to a fire that destroyed all the wood, hay and stubble of his life but never consumed him<i>.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“When
the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">stand</span></span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> firm forever.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Proverbs 10:25 (NIV)</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Elijah would not have even
smelled of smoke.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Surely,
Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">favor
as with a shield.” </span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Psalm 5:12 </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(NIV)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>- </i>Still Processing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Earth, Wind and Fire: Don’t Miss the Show!</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The intrepid prophet
Elijah was in God’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">perfect</b> will when
the results of his unquestioning obedience landed him in the middle of a three-year
drought, secreted in a ravine with just a bird to provide his food - no
water and at the city gate asking a desolate widow and her little boy for their last meal. The
kid died not too long after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
then, Elijah’s appreciation of God’s blueprint for his life was hanging on some
very frayed nerves of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then he cried out to the Lord, ‘Lord
my God, have you brought tragedy
even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>die?’”
1 Kings 17:20 (NIV)</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God answered the grieving prophet
and mother only after Elijah labored in prayer. Nothing came easy even while
Elijah was centered in God’s will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then
he stretched himself out on the boy <u>three times and cried </u>out
to the Lord, “‘Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’” 1
Kings 17:21 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do you see any parallels
in your walk? Obedience = circumstances getting tougher? More prayers getting, "No's" and "Not Yets" than the , "Ok, Right Aways?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After that little test of
faith, God’s assignments for Elijah escalated - in difficulty. Elijah went on
to command an audience with an already vexed King Ahab to accuse him of being an idolatrous hypocrite taking his nation to hell in a hand basket. The King pronounced Elijah a troublemaker to the nation. That is treason in our
parlance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On the heels of that tense
encounter, God used Elijah to display His displeasure with King Ahab’s executive
decisions by having the bold prophet humiliate then slaughter 450 priests in the service of Queen Jezebel. By then, the Evil Queen had had it
with Elijah’s unsolicited opinions. She put a contract out on his life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That was the last straw
for Elijah. God’s perfect will or not, Elijah’s nerve snapped. He reacted like
a deer in headlights and bolted! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Have you ever watched your
situation go from bad to worse when you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">know</b>
you are in God’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">perfect</b> will? When circumstances seem to get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">more </b>daunting, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">more</b> painful, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">more</b> impossible as you gladly obey God? When plausible outcomes are so terrifying that fear suffocates you even while His affirmation abounds? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">During those times you may
just feel like Elijah felt and want to move from being an Elijah, which means “my
God is Jehovah,” to Elij-<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i-Quit</span></b>! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Frequently, God stretches
you rubber band thin when you’re precisely where He wants you. Before offering any
substantive relief, He may demand of you something akin to having to climb a
mountain in the midst of debilitating exhaustion and dismay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Consider this. When Elijah
let God in on just how tired, hungry and <b>suicidal</b> he was, God’s solution was thin
on the coddling comfort. Besides proffering the minimal bread, water and a nap,
God told Elijah to take a trip - forty days and nights - to a mountain – to
climb it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Who
may live on your holy mountain? </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The one whose walk is
blameless, who does what is righteous, who
speaks the truth from their heart…Whoever does these things will
never be shaken.” Psalm 15:1-5 (NIV)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God had something wonderful in store up on that mountain for His blameless prophet. You see, </span>God hadn’t sent Elijah to just any mountain. God sent Elijah to Mount Horeb - the
very same mountain upon which He revealed Himself to Moses some five hundred years
earlier. Elijah obeys – sort of. He hides out in a cave on that mountain and misses God's tremendous display of Earth, Wind and Fire (see STAND II). </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">God is urging you toward that same mountain top experience. He tells you as He told Elijah to keep going. You can! Keep going so that you can STAND on that mountain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Will you continue your walk in spite of the dismay, discouragement and weariness? Will you climb your mountain of yet one more arduous challenge in order to STAND and see His glory? Or will you give up and miss the show?</span></div>
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<b><i>
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<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></i></b></div>
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<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Now then, STAND still and
see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!” </span></i></b></i></b><br />
<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></i></b>
<b><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></i></b>
<b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>-</i> Still Processing</span></span></b></b></div>
<b><i>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-4613873436518958142013-03-21T11:49:00.003-04:002013-03-29T04:18:27.881-04:00SPRING<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
‘<b><i>Tis
the Season</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Doug Larson, the popular
Writer and Editor for the Green Bay Press-Gazette perfectly characterized the
most vibrant time of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Spring is when you feel
like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This Wisconsin born and
bred Columnist appreciated the joy of turning the corner on a harsh winter even
while it still clipped at his heels. Larson’s humorous optimism - and a whistle
- catapulted his senses into appreciative overdrive. Cold toes? Who cares?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Larson could see the sun
climbing higher in the sky, feel the temperature grow warmer on his skin and
notice new life burst forth around him. So do I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“The flowers are springing
up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills
the air.” Song of Solomon 2:12 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the nation’s capital,
Spring is the first time of the year when the sight of riotous clusters of pink
cherry blossoms, the scent wafting from their newly opened blooms and the
tickle of their petals brushing my cheek intersect to make me want to
whistle! The breeze is slightly cool enough to put me in a pale, yellow
cardigan but the sun is high enough to promise another 65 degree day on the
Potomac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So it is in your life.
Spring sighs that your hibernation in God’s winter of preparation is over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“They set out from the city
of Rameses <u>in early spring</u> - on the fifteenth day of the first month -
on the morning after the first Passover celebration. The people of Israel left
defiantly, in full view of all the Egyptians.” Numbers 33:3 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spring is your time to
launch - prepared and ready to face the world of His promises to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“On this day in early
spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free.” Exodus 13:4 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spring is your time to begin
the journey of Ruth. That was the tenacious, young widow’s season to sojourn
from Moab to Bethlehem; from loss to new life. It was spring when Ruth
entered her Promise Land of barley then Boaz!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“So Naomi returned from
Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They
arrived in Bethlehem <u>in late </u>spring, at the beginning of the barley
harvest.“ Ruth 1:22 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Your spring 2013 is the
fulfillment of God’s silent, deep, hidden and sometimes harsh winter of
preparation in your life. It shall hold the beginning of a riotous, colorful
burst of His glory overtaking you! He tells you that you are,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“...the spring crocus
blooming on the Sharon Plain, the lily of the valley. Like a lily among
thistles is my darling among young women.” Song of Solomon 2:1-2 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spring 2013, He exchanges your ashes for beauty. Restoration!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Ask the Lord for rain in
the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so
every field becomes a lush pasture.” Zechariah 10:1 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spring 2013, He moves you from mourning to joy. A lush pasture? Come on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“The Sovereign Lord will
show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His
righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up
everywhere.” Isaiah 61:11 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spring 2013, He enrobes you in justice and a garment of praise to replace the despair!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Look, the winter is past,
and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of
singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. The
fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.
Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” Solomon 2: 11-13 (NLT)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The snow of your winter -
the one that blanketed a life He was slowly and steadily nurturing under its
bitter chill - has melted. Just a little slush in your shoe - already
melting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s not unusual to see a
crocus peek its eager, spring bloom through a little wintry slush. Spring
2013, thawing with promise, will land you in Doug Larson's shoes - whistling on your way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- Still Processing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2013/03/whispers-of-spring-turning-my-heart-towards-jesus/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Make sure to click onto this encouraging blog: FAITH BARISTA</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dauo_lvfYQs/UUsr4QRyUtI/AAAAAAAAAAM/BTt00PGVuqw/s1600/Krokusse_im_Schnee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dauo_lvfYQs/UUsr4QRyUtI/AAAAAAAAAAM/BTt00PGVuqw/s320/Krokusse_im_Schnee.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-84362281408382849352013-03-14T14:38:00.001-04:002013-03-14T16:33:57.337-04:00FOLLOW<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You’re in the Lead<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here
is a handful of definitions we Americans use to explain <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">FOLLOW</i> </b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;">To engage in as
a calling or way of life<b>:</b> pursue <wheat-growing is generally <i>followed</i>
here><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To watch steadily <<i>followed</i> the flight of the ball></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follow</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And
the Brits explain <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">FOLLOW</i></b> like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">G</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">o or come after (a person or
thing proceeding ahead)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;">Move or travel
behind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;">Treat as a
teacher or guide <<i>those who seek to follow Jesus Christ><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/follow?q=follow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/follow?q=follow</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Both definitions support the suggestion that God, in fact, follows <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u>us</u></i></b>!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that we are exemplary leaders whom
He imitates or to whom He subjects Himself. He follows us because, in the
freedom He has granted us, we stray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need Him to follow us with His arm of salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I
was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my
name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” Isaiah 65:1 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This verse assures us that God follows those who
don’t realize it, request it or deserve it. It’s a great Scripture to stand on
when you’re praying for someone who has no interest, whatsoever, in the Lord.
According to His word, He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>will</u></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>follow</u></b> that one for whom you
are laboring in prayer since He desires that no one perish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Remember John
15:1<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">6?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You did not choose Me. I chose you, and I orchestrated all
of this so that you would be sent out and bear great and perpetual fruit. As
you do this, anything you ask the Father in My name will be done.” (Voice)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Our Father is committed to following us, no matter
what. And He will be kind as He pursues. It is effective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“…the goodness of God leads you to repentance." Romans
2: 4 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This clearly suggests that the person who needs to
repent is out of fellowship; out of step; not following <b><i><u>Him</u></i></b>. Therefore, the Lord
will follow to forgive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife
again, even though she<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>commits
adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves
Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship
them.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>and five bushels of barley and a
measure of wine.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">” Hosea 3: 1-3 (NLT)</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hosea 3
is a metaphor for His compassionate pursuit of us even when we are egregiously
offensive! Look at how Hosea rewarded his wife, Gomer. He gave her another
chance. He made her feel safe and forgiven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>God is doing the same for you. He doesn't give up.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Psalm 23 </span>(KJV)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As He
follows you, so shall His goodness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">All of the following
blessings will be yours—in fact, they’ll chase after you—if you’ll listen to
what He tells you.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Deuteronomy </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">28:2 </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Voice)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">He's pursuing and watching us steadily. His picture should be next to "FOLLOW" in both Merriam's and the Oxford Dictionary!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">-Still Processing</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/about-faithbarista/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">Click here to read one of my favorite blogs, FAITH BARISTA</span></a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-2022693938104287572013-03-12T10:42:00.001-04:002015-08-12T11:40:48.403-04:00SPEED Part II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Father, Can
You Move Any Slower?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Part II<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Remember in John 11 when Lazarus
was on his deathbed and his sisters, Mary and Martha, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">immediately </b>sent word to Jesus, Lazarus’ BFF?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That was about </span>S P E E D. The ladies were convinced timing was important; their timing. An urgent word to Jesus would surely result in His speedy
arrival to heal their brother. His immediate intervention would spare Lazarus the
inevitable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus’ response to their urgent request? Nope. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He said, ‘This sickness
will not end in death. It has happened so that it will bring honor to God. And
the Son of God will be honored by it also.’” John 11:4 (NLV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then, not only did Jesus
skip the ladies’ request, He skipped town!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Jesus <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">dearly</span>
loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. However, after receiving this news, He waited
two more days where He was.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>And then
he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John 11: 5-7 </span>(VOICE & NIV)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus’ actions shook the
ladies’ faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In His absence, Lazarus<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
did </b>die! Their belief that a quick touch from Jesus would bring Lazarus back from the edge was turned on its head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Are you in a season of
your life where a prayer about a critical situation has gone unanswered? Where
you’ve slipped past that deadline when God had just enough time to remedy the dilemma? Are you in the place where the whole thing evaporated into nothing - loss or defeat staring back at you now?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> God hasn't shown </span>up, has He?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But, think on this. Dial back to the moment <b>before </b>your "Lazarus" passed; when Almighty God assured you that the current frustrating or hopeless situation wasn’t the <b>end </b>of your situation? Stand on His
word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Look at John 11: 4, again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not <u>end</u> in death.’”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus didn’t say Lazarus
wouldn’t <b>die</b>. His subtext was that Lazarus’ death was part of an ongoing
process leading to a miraculous, unbelievable, grand answer that would glorify
God in an unimaginable way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So don’t give up like Lazarus’
sister, Mary, did in light of her devastating outcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"On his arrival, Jesus
found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha
heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, <u>but Mary stayed at
home</u>." John 11: 17, 20 (NIV)</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This same Mary who was a
“Believer;” who had curled up at Jesus’ feet one evening, to the consternation
of Martha, her busy sister; who had washed those same feet with her perfumed
hair. This same Mary gave up her hope in Jesus after her brother died and had
been buried four days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But her disappointment makes sense, doesn't it? What was there left to believe for? </span>Why not stay in the house mourning
her loss - sad, isolated, disappointed and angry? Jesus had let her down.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you
believe, you will see the glory of God?’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up
and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always
hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they
may believe that you sent me.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud
voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out.” John 11: 40-44 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thanks to Martha coaxing her sister, Mary, out of the house; out of her depression, Mary got to see Jesus keep His word. <o:p></o:p></span>A Resurrection!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Your loss is a part of God’s
life renewing process. The loss will not <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">end </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">in
death. Speed isn’t what you need. Just believe what, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus
told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will
live, even after dying. Everyone
who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. </i></b></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you believe this,
Martha?'" </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b><i>John 11:25-26 (NLT)</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b>DO YOU?</b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">-Still Processing</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-33903541142953509722013-03-01T06:42:00.002-05:002013-03-12T10:32:24.379-04:00SPEED Part I<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Father, Can You Move Any Slower?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Part I</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hate it when I get in God’s way. Don’t mean
to. It’s just that when I think He’s moving too slowly in the lane of my life, I
change lanes. I’m looking for movement, action, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fast</i></b> action. I want
speedy help, speedy answers, speedy change, speedy resolutions. Speed. Just.
Give. Me. Speed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do you ever find yourself changing lanes on
God? Jumping ahead of Him because He’s moseying along like the proverbial
“Sunday Driver;” taking His own sweet time to reveal His answer to your prayer.
He’s just not moving at that rapid pace you prefer. Speed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But once you complete that aggressive lane
change, do you whisper, <i>“Am I coming up short on patience with God? Or trust in
Him? Or do I simply lack <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">both</b>? Is
one, perhaps, predicated on the other?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Let’s see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When you’re in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“10 or Less”</i> line at Whole Foods, do you suss out the folks ahead to
determine if there really are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“10 or
Less”</i> in their cart? Speed. How about when you arrive at the doctor’s
office early enough to sign in, grab a magazine and read it cover to cover with
5 minutes to spare, then start to fidget if you haven’t been called within 3
minutes of your scheduled time? Speed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I won’t even get into how you begin to feel
at your <u>regularly scheduled</u> hair appointment at which the Stylist regularly
runs late. Speed. Still, your need for speed at these moments does not require
you exercise any measure of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>trust</i> </b>that your turn
will come. You know it will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But with God, it’s different. Our patience
with Him is predicated on our trust in Him. Here’s why:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1) He repeatedly promises to guide us in the
lane of our life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>your paths.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Proverbs 3:6 </span>(NKJV)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2) He promises He will lead us while
instructing us with no mention of any measure of speed while He does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“This is what the Lord, your Defender, the Holy One
of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God. I teach you what is best for you. I
lead you where you should go.”<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 48:17(GW)</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In fact, He tells us He is going to deliver
us first, and then direct us. This is a slow proposition if you think about
from what He is delivering us. So, we are left to trust Him that during this <b><i>s</i></b><i><b>-L-O-w </b></i> time of no visible change, He will show up to show off! Patience = Trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“In [His] unfailing love [He] will lead the people
[He has] redeemed. In [His] strength [He] will guide them...” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Exodus 15:13 </span>(NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God was
not only delivering the Jews from the physical shackles of slavery in Egypt but from its emotional,
spiritual and economic ravages, as well. He wanted them to be whole; free of
the cumulative effects that life had on their group psyche. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This band of
Hebrews was not schooled as military experts trained to strategize and win the battles
they would have encountered had the Lord allowed them a direct and speedy
trip to their Promise Land. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Isn’t this the same for us? If He speeds us along, we won't have time to prepare to successfully live in our Promise! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the
people go, that God did not lead them <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">by</span>
way of the land of the Philistines, although that <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> near; for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their
minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So God led the people around <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">by</span> way of the wilderness of the Red
Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of
Egypt.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Exodus 13:17-18 </span>(NKJV)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He deliberately slowed their journey. He
wanted to train them, equip them and cultivate recovery time from the brokenness
of life in Egypt. No changing lanes to hurry it up. No jumping ahead of time.
No speed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He is doing the exact same thing for you,
right now, in what seems like the slowest time E-V-E-R. It is. Just stay in your lane!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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-Still Processing</div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></i></b><!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-56545871406813167472013-02-20T23:50:00.002-05:002013-02-22T00:01:25.984-05:00UNRESTRAINED<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<b><i>Loosen Up!</i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you know when you’re most
irresistible to God? When you surrender to Him. Unrestrained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“… offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Romans 12:1</span> (TNIV)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Paul means your life,
yourself, your being. Try it during your prayer time with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When you’re pursuing God,
dampen the distractions racing through your mind. He knows they are there. You
know they are there but quiet them into captivity so you can worship your
Father in spirit and in truth. Be unrestrained – like King David. Remember when
he busted a move?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the
Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel were bringing
up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2 Samuel 6:14,15
(TNIV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Picture this - a <b>King </b>- jumping,
leaping, singing and twirling before <b><i>his </i></b>King perhaps even stumbling
a time or two among some 30,000 others as they carried the Ark into Jerusalem. David’s
jubilation roiled inside him like fire shut up in his
bones! It came out. Unrestrained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">God beckons you to come to
Him like that, with a confidence that liberates.</span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 4:16</span> (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">David clearly didn’t have a
distracting thought in his head. He didn’t give a fat rat’s fanny about others’
opinion of how he worshipped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">His moves may have been
worse than Elaine’s in the now classic, hilarious Seinfeld episode </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY_DF2Af3LM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY_DF2Af3LM</a></span> or more awkward than Jon Stewart doing the “Harlem Shake” which, by the way,
the Chinese are calling the “Loser Dance.” <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdUtPhsDUso&feature=youtu.be"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdUtPhsDUso&feature=youtu.be</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But David didn’t care.
Neither did God. The King of Kings loved it. And not because of David’s
physical expressions. God loved David’s heart. It was a good one. Even when David
was but a young shepherd about to be chosen King, God explained why to Samuel:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“God<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is
visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1 Samuel 16:7 (CEB)</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now as King, David followed
God’s presence. Unrestrained. His wife held him in contempt for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When Michal,
the daughter of Saul, looked out the window and saw King David leaping and
dancing before the Eternal <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">without
thought for how he looked,</span> she hated him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 Samuel 6:16 </span>(VOICE)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wow. Then, she <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>told</u></b> David, her husband and King, what she thought of him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“The king of Israel made a big name for
himself today!” she said. “He exposed himself like a fool in the sight of the
servant women of his officials!” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2
Samuel 6:20 </span>(GNT)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">David
just didn’t care. He let nothing sidetrack his full surrender during that
sacred moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Then David danced before the Lord with all <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">his</span> might…” 2 Samuel 6:14 (KJV) <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Remember the last time you
danced with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>all your might</u></b>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t choreographed. Those feelings
stirring up your insides were too much to restrain. You didn’t care that the
music was too loud; that you were a sweaty mess; that you had run out of breath
and had even bounced off a few others. Wasn't pretty but you got
your dance on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Your heart was in the right place. </span>Unrestrained. God
loves that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He is not looking for your
physical prowess or exertion. He’s not looking at how coordinated you are or
even if your body moves. He simply is looking at the place from where your worship emanates. Your heart. He loves when you give it to Him. Unrestrained.
Just know, that kind of unfettered joy could shake out in a limb or two!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Still Processing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-42666508398191753772013-02-16T08:55:00.001-05:002013-03-13T15:21:44.013-04:00IRRESISTIBLE Part II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You Are
Irresistible to God<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Part II<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mary - Lazarus’ and Martha’s
sister – pursued Jesus. She got it right. She quietly sat at Jesus’ feet. Now,
that’s close because in Eastern cultures, women didn’t so easily mix with the
men. Can you imagine her following His every gesture, drinking in each word He
spoke, understanding every little joke He made and relaxing in His kind eyes? Mary
sat close enough to study this man, to feel His kindness, to remember Him. God
loves that. Irresistible.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mary’s action was unaffected
and absent any preoccupation with her own busy thoughts. She just “hung out” with
Jesus in simple, content admiration. Try it. Irresistible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Let us go
right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our
guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hebrews 10:22</span> (NLT)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mary’s
sincere heart kept her turned towards Jesus. To her sister Martha’s vexation,
Mary’s thoughts weren’t on </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">what others
in the room thought of her, what the guests needed, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">what </span>she needed, what she wanted, what she should have been doing,
what He should have been doing for her, how unhappy she was, how slowly He was
acting on her behalf… Need I go on? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mary
wasn’t multi-tasking during her “Quiet Time.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She quieted herself. She was just doing, “Mary.” You can do
the same. That’s irresistible to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor
to those who are humble.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs
3:34 (GNT)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus loves that. W<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">hen Martha (for the sake of this piece, I’m
imagining Martha as Big Sis - Type A: driven, in control, bossy, super
organized) complained that Little Sis was a Slacker, Jesus assured Martha that
Little Sis’ choice was better.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“<b>Meanwhile Martha was
anxious about all the hospitality arrangements.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Martha <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(interrupting
Jesus)</span>: Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all
the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus: Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and
concerned about a million details, but really, only one thing matters. Mary has
chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 10:40-42 (The Voice)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You
can do the same. Quiet yourself. At His feet. Still your thoughts. Just sit. He loves that. Irresistible. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">-Still Processing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Click the link below to check out one of my favorite blogs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.faithbarista.com/join-faith-barista-jam-thursdays/%22%20target=%22blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.faithbarista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FaithBarista_FreshJamBadge_Stacked2.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E">Faith Barista by Bonnie Gray</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-43005219058150576042013-02-15T12:45:00.000-05:002013-02-28T16:08:24.060-05:00IRRESISTIBLE Part I<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You Are
Irresistible to God<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Part I<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This morning, did you hear God whisper into
your vulnerable, tender soul that you are irresistible to Him? Did you know
that last night He sang His goodness and mercy over you? Did you smile as He
chuckled about how much He enjoys the moments you snuggle up to Him singing
loudly, off key and crying up a runny nosed mess?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Draw
near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 (ESV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our Father loves any and every moment with
you. All of them. But you may be asking, “How can that be when I know during
much of my “Quiet Time,” my mind is shouting out what I want, what I’m certain
I need, what I’m missing and what deadlines He’s missing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You’re not alone. We all live in that
occasional disconnect you’re now experiencing when you carve out special time
to connect with Him, to declare your awe of Him while simultaneously fending
off the onslaught of your own cacophonies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sure, your internal voice is loud but His
favor is that through all your bluster, earthquakes and fire, He speaks. It’s
a still, small voice firmly whispering, “My Child, you are irresistible to
me.” So don’t stop chasing Him down. He will connect with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Come, all you who are
thirsty, come to the waters…Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and
you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen,
that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you.” Isaiah
55: 1-3 (TNIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God doesn’t require you to steady your
thoughts into laser beam focus or approach Him with a still, small voice.
That’s His to do. He knows you are like grass that will soon wither, whose
spirit is willing but whose flesh is weak. Who does what you don't want to do
and don't do what you want to do. He knows your "Quiet Time"
with Him can't be perfectly quiet, perfectly focused, perfectly timed. It just
has To Be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"I will give you hidden treasures and wealth tucked away in secret
places; I will reveal them to you. Then you will know that I am the Eternal,
the God of Israel, who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:3 (The Voice)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus is wooing you. You are
irresistible to Him. Look what He promises you if you just stay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>“Are you tired? Worn out?
Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your
life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with
me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything
heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely
and lightly.” Matthew 11:27-30 (MSG)</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
- Still ProcessingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361829537920727991.post-12898216701730027452013-02-07T10:23:00.001-05:002013-02-28T16:08:36.002-05:00ONE LOVE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">ONE
LOVE: Can You Feel It?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’m willing to bet that if
you’re like any one of my girlfriends or me, the first thing that happens when
you see or hear the word <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOVE</b>, you<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> feel</i></b>
something - something strong. You<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> feel</i></b> emotions so powerful they can
evoke a memory of the time you experienced those <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feelings</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or didn’t. Either way, we quickly
associate <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOVE</b> with emotions. They
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, what happens inside
when you see or hear the words <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b>?
This time, I’ll bet a feeling doesn’t sweep over you as much as a person comes
to mind. Or doesn’t. And that reaction is to God’s advantage. Why? Because He
wants to be the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b> you
immediately recollect; the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b>
you intimately know as the constant in your life that never changes - unlike a
feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You’re sighing about now
saying you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">know</b> God isn’t a feeling.
Yet how often have you stood through praise and worship quietly whispering to
your soul, “I just don’t <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">feel</b>
anything?” Or listened to your Pastor’s voice coming from the pulpit drowned
out by your own inner one despairing with, “I just don’t <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">feel</b> this.” And how about the times you’ve wept aloud in the Throne
Room telling Him you just don’t<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> feel</b>
like He loves you as one disappointment after another stacks up on the shelf of
your life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">God, your Creator, wants to
be known by you. He wants to be your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE
LOVE</b>. And if you let Him, He will woo you to places where you experience
Him as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b> who’s always
patient, always kind. Instead of being a warm, fuzzy feeling, He will
demonstrate Himself as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b>
who isn’t failing you even while everything you hoped for is crashing in on
you. He is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b> always
persevering on your behalf. He is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE
LOVE</b> who can promise that when you call on Him, He will be found by you
with plans to give you hope and a future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a promise to you, not a feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">During these last few days leading up
to Valentine’s Day, we were bombarded with everything to suggest love is a
feeling - from the idealized and romantic to the passionate and sexy. Some of
us heard a song that made us tear up, opened a card that made us smile, held a
bouquet that took our breath away or even tasted chocolate that made us swoon.
Yet, those feelings, evoked by the familiar gestures of Valentine’s Day may
have already changed, adjusted and even faded until next year. But there is a
Blessed Assurance in our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b>
Jesus who won’t change.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>He loves
with an everlasting love that was, is and always will be constant. He is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b> and offers <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ONE LOVE</b> that doesn’t shift or
vacillate. He promises that He is the same today, yesterday and forever. So is
His love. Now, that is something you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">can<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> feel</i></b> good about! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
-Still Processing</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
Be sure to check out Bonnie Gray's blog:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.faithbarista.com/join-faith-barista-jam-thursdays/%22%20target=%22blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.faithbarista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FaithBarista_FreshJamBadge_Stacked2.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E">Faith Barista's Jam With Me Thurdays</a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4