tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36661356390474532732024-03-12T17:20:13.004-07:00Women of WarrenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-25712720615529353602014-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-05T08:00:07.132-07:00 May 6 Get REal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Get Real: Overcoming Worry</strong></div>
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Worry consumes, depletes, distracts and defeats. Worry robs our joy. But, we all do it. So how do we overcome the worry and fear that seems to paralyze us? Last week we looked at some of the root causes of worry. Worry is sin. It is unbelief and a lack of trust and confidence in God. Worry is reliance upon self, instead of trusting the Almighty, all-sufficient, all-powerful God, Creator and Sustainer of all things! Today let's look at some practical steps we can take to replace our spirit of worry and find some freedom and peace.</div>
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"Worry flows out of a distorted or incomplete view of God's nature and character." (Elyse Fitzpatrick)</div>
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Let's remind ourselves of the biblical definition for worry and then look at <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5-7&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5-7&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 5:5-7</a> for some practical ways we can overcome worry and release ourselves from its bondage and stranglehold:</div>
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<em>Anxiety - "merimna"-to be drawn in different directions; to be thoughtful, anxiety about things pertaining to this earthly life.</em></div>
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<em>Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. </em><span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: medium;" style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: small;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5-7&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5-7&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 5:5-7</a></strong></span></div>
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With this passage in mind, I want to share with you some practical ways you can begin to defeat that spirit of worry that is consuming your life and energies. I tend to be a worrier, but over the years I've seen God do some amazing work in my life in this area. These practical steps have been instrumental in helping me. I hope they encourage you.</div>
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Worry can so quickly consume and paralyze us, it's like a fire in my life at times. It blazes out of control very quickly and so, like we all learned in elementary school, I find I need to stop, drop and roll to put it out. Well sort of...just go with me on this one.</div>
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<strong>1. STOP: Tell yourself to STOP!</strong></div>
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Stop the distraction that is dividing and disrupting your thought life. When in worry mode, we need to mentally and verbally tell ourselves to STOP. I find it helpful to just tell myself to "Stop It!"and I often do that aloud!</div>
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Don't let yourself continue down the spiral. Recognize you are trusting in the flesh/self instead of God. You have elevated your thoughts to a god-like position, trusting in your own strength and abilities. We've got to stop that worry cycle from continuing its downward tailspin. If we don't, it becomes a vortex that sucks us down and paralyzes us. It consumes and depletes our energy and strength. It can make us fearful and anxious over future events that may or may not ever happen. I call these "vain imaginings" (and most of mine, never come to pass!) Worry consumes and depletes our energy and strength. Worry robs us of joy. So let's STOP IT!</div>
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<strong>2. DROP: Pray! Acknowledge and confess your worry as sin.</strong></div>
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A6&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A6&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 5:6</a></strong> tells us to humble ourselves under God's might hand.</div>
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Humble - tapeinoō - to make low; to lower or depress; of one's soul, bring down one's pride, to have a modest opinion of one's self, to behave in an unassuming manner, devoid of all haughtiness.</div>
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In humility, we drop to our knees (literally or figuratively), we acknowledge and confess before God that this anxious thought that is consuming us is sin. When we humble ourselves, we assume a posture of surrender. We are no longer trying to control things. We are willing to lower ourselves to a position where we accept God's sovereignty in our lives and trust in His strength, rather than relying on our own. Knowing that He is for us and that He is working to conform us more each day to the image of Christ Jesus.</div>
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Humbling ourselves before God will in turn shift our focus, which is exactly what we need! We need focus our gaze upon the Lord Jesus Christ.</div>
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<strong>3. THROW: Release the worry. Throw it off. Cast it aside.</strong></div>
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 5:5</a> </strong>tells us to cast our cares upon him, for he cares for us.</div>
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Cast - epiripto- to throw upon, place upon, to give up to.</div>
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When that worrying thought assails us, we need to throw it off and give it up to God. This is the time we need to rehearse God's attributes. Remind yourself of who God is. Then, renew your mind with truth. Cast off worry and replace it with the truth of who God is and what He has done. It's helpful to think the worry through, in a productive manner, by asking some questions:</div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Is this something I can control or do something about? If so, then what can I do?</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Is this something out of my control? If so, then release it into God's hands and rest in His provision and protection.</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">Is this something out of my control, but a situation in which God is calling me to pray for someone and release them into His care?</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;">What does this worry reveal about my heart? Is this an area where I am not trusting or relying upon God? </li>
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I find it helpful to declare God's praises and remind myself of truth from His word by speaking it aloud and praying it back to Him. (You've probably noticed I talk to myself a lot! But hey, it works!)</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;"><strong>4. GO: Remind yourself of God's truth and MOVE ON!</strong></span></div>
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A6&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A6&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 5:6 </a></strong>tells us that God will lift us up in due time and<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A10&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A10&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(227, 92, 138) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">5:10</a></strong> tells us that at the right time, God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us.</div>
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<strong>Renew </strong>your mind with the truths of God's Word. <strong>Rehearse</strong>His attributes and character. <strong>Remind</strong> yourself of how you have seen God's faithfulness in the past. Then, <strong>Rest</strong> in Him!</div>
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Don't remain stuck, waiting for worry to hit you again. Move on, go forward, resting and trusting our God, who is the Heart-Knower, Almighty, Faithful, Eternal, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! <strong> GO</strong> about your day. When that worrisome or anxious thought creeps up again repeat the process beginning with <strong>STOP!</strong></div>
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<em>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</em> <strong>Philippians 4:4-7</strong></div>
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<strong><strong><strong><strong><em><strong></strong></em></strong></strong></strong></strong><br />
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
</strong></em></strong></strong></strong></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-78886505970023554352014-04-28T07:00:00.000-07:002014-04-28T07:00:05.810-07:00April 28 Get Real<br />
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><b>Get Real: Getting to the Root of Worry!</b></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">Are you a worrier? Do you tend to fixate on a problem or situation to the point of distraction or anxiety? Do you find yourself stuck in the past, rehearsing and reliving mistakes or difficulties? Do you find yourself obsessed with future events and outcomes? Do you wake in the middle of the night thinking on a situation from your day that you can't seem to shake? Are you often gripped by a paralyzing fear? Do you tend to have a fearful "what if" mentality? Yep, you might be a worrier!</span></div>
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<strong>Worry! It's all-consuming. It's exhausting! Many times it seems we can't escape its stranglehold on our thoughts and lives. </strong></div>
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Take a look at the biblical definition for worry:</div>
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<strong>anxiety/worry </strong>- <strong>merimna</strong> - anxiety, care that brings disruption to the personality and the mind. From 3307 merizō - to divide to separate into parts, cut into pieces to divide into parties, i.e. be split into factions - through the idea of distraction, care anxiety.)</div>
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<strong>Worry at its root is a heart issue</strong>. It's rooted in unbelief and doubt about God's nature and character and it reveals what we truly treasure (<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A34&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A34&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 12:34</a>). Worry in essence is saying we don't believe or trust God to handle this area of our lives. It's sin. What we truly treasure controls our hearts and our hearts control our behavior. When we feel we are at risk of losing what we treasure, we tend to worry.</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;"><strong>In Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:25-34</a> </strong></span>we find Jesus addressing this issue of worry in our lives. <strong>Jesus poses </strong><span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;"><strong>FIVE QUESTIONS</strong></span><strong> to His listeners in this passage</strong>. These questions struck me as I studied and I realized they each reveal an area of our hearts that can be fertile soil for worry to take root and grow. Let's take look at some of the heart issues behind our worrying:</div>
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<strong>#1 - Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:25b</a></strong></div>
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<strong>Priority and Purpose!</strong> When Jesus speaks of life in this passage he is referring to the life of our inner man -that which drives us, our affections, desires and passions. Do you live for a purpose higher than food and clothing (earthly/material things)? I believe this question addresses the areas purpose and priorities in life. If our priorities and purpose are things of this world, i.e. position, power, success, happiness, then when those are at risk of being compromised, we worry.</div>
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<strong>#2 - Are you not of more value than they? Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A26&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A26&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:26b</a></strong></div>
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<strong>Identity!</strong> Where do you find your value and worth? What is the foundation for your identity? Is it in performance, the approval and perception of others, or your past? Again when these are at risk of being devalued, we will worry.</div>
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<strong>#3 - And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A27&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A27&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:27</a></strong></div>
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<strong>Control!</strong> How can our worry affect even a single hour of our lives? We cannot control all things in life. In fact, God calls us to live out of control, in total dependence upon Him! When we feel we are losing control in an area of our life we treasure, then we will worry.</div>
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<strong>#4 - And why are you anxious about clothing? Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A28&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A28&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:28</a></strong></div>
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<strong>Appearance and Perceptions!</strong> Do you place value on how you look and what others think of you? Are you living to impress the world with your lifestyle? Again when these are at risk or when our value of them is out of balance, we will tend to worry.</div>
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<strong>#5 - But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?Matthew <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A30&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A30&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">6:30</a></strong></div>
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<strong>little faith - oligopistos </strong>- lacking confidence (in Christ), trusting too little.</div>
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<strong>Unbelief!</strong> Jesus sums it all up for us, "O you of little faith". It's all about where we are placing our trust. Do we really believe and trust God? Our worry at its root reveals areas of our hearts where we don't truly trust and believe God. It's when we have climbed up on the throne of our hearts in an attempt to control life.</div>
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<strong>Here are a couple more questions for you to ponder: <span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;">What do you truly treasure? Who or what is ruling in the kingdom of your heart?</span><span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;">Do you expend as much energy and effort over your spiritual heart condition as you do worrying and being anxious about your physical or earthly condition?</span></strong> (Whether it be provision, relationships, comfort, convenience, etc...)</div>
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For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, <strong>that those who live might no longer live for themselves</strong> but for him who for their sake died and was raised. <span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+corinthians+5%3A14-15&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+corinthians+5%3A14-15&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a></strong></span></div>
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Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. <span _mce_style="color: #89c506;" style="color: #89c506;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A13-15&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A13-15&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">James 4:13-15</a></strong></span></div>
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<strong>Worry divides, distracts and distorts our thinking</strong>. So we need a re-alignment in our thinking. Our focus is naturally drawn to the temporal/the world/the flesh and we need a renewed mind and spirit to refocus us.<strong>Defeating worry is about daily feeding your soul on the promises and truths of God's Word</strong>. </div>
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Create in me a clean heart, OGod, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. <span _mce_style="color: #89c506; font-size: medium; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #89c506; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A10-12&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #89c506; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A10-12&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(137, 197, 6) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 51:10-12</a></strong></span></div>
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There's quite a bit here to digest and ponder about worry in our lives. So for now, I'll leave you to it. I'll be back next week with more truths from God's Word and practical steps you can take to overcome worry in your life.</div>
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<strong><strong><strong><strong><em><strong><span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</strong></em></strong></strong></strong></strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
</strong></em></strong></strong></strong></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-62939191387274386222014-04-22T09:53:00.000-07:002014-04-22T09:55:12.049-07:00April 21, 2014<br />
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: 14pt;" style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Get Real: Finding True Strength</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Where do you find strength when you're running on empty?</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">How do you handle the pressures of life that create stress and frustration and leave you feeling weary and worn? </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I tend to be pretty independent, a self-starter, a go-getter and therefore often find myself trying to "do it all" and "be it all".</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I like to be in control. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I don't always find it easy to ask for help. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">But when I try to operate in my own strength and do it all I end up frazzled, frustrated, overwhelmed and exhausted. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">It's that Super Woman Syndrome!</span></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">For I am about to fall,</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">and my pain is constantly with me.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></em><em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 38:17</span></strong></em></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">For troubles without number have surrounded me;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">They are more than the hairs of my head,</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></em><em _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">and my courage leaves me.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Lord, be pleased to </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="DA" style="color: #323232;">deliver me;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">hurry to help me, Lord. </span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="PT" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 40:12-13</span></strong></em></li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">But God does not call me to try to "do it all", "be it all", and operate in my own strength. When I do, I end up echoing the cry of the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years, "<i>But now our strength is dried up..." </i>(<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers11%3A6&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00d7fb; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers11%3A6&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 215, 251) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Numbers 11:6</a>)</span></div>
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<li><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><em>My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my portion forever. </em></span><strong _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <div _mce_style="display: inline !important;" class="_mce_tagged_br" style="display: inline !important;">
<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 73:26</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">My heart and my flesh often fail. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I take on too much. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I try to solve everyone's problems. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I try to fix situations and relationships and maintain control and order in my life...And it's exhausting! </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">And it's all because I am operating in my own strength instead of relying on God's power and strength in my life. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Perhaps your strength is failing, not because you can't learn to let go, but because life's circumstances are like a tidal wave that just keeps washing over you. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">You just can't seem to get your head above the water long enough to breathe!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><strong>Where we do find REAL strength, encouragement and comfort when we're overloaded, overwhelmed, operating in our own limited strength?</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="color: #ec57bd;" style="color: #ec57bd;">#1</span><span _mce_style="color: #ec57bd;" style="color: #ec57bd;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #ec57bd;" style="color: #ec57bd;">We Find Strength in God's Word:</span></strong></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. </em></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><strong>-Romans 15:4 </strong></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></li>
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<li _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">My soul melts away for sorrow;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">strengthen me according to your word. </span></em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">-</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 119:28</span></strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></li>
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<li _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">The grass withers, the flower fades,</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">but the word of our God will stand forever. </span></em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Isaiah 40:8</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I will walk about in freedom,</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">for I have sought out your precepts. </span></em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">-</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 119:45 (NIV)</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">Hebrews 4:12</span></strong></li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">His Word provides eternal encouragement. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">His Word is powerful and energizing. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">His Word is living and active and renews and restores my weary heart and soul. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">In His Word, I find real strength!</span></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="color: #ee60bf;" style="color: #ee60bf;">#2 We Find Strength in Prayer</span><span _mce_style="color: #ee60bf;" style="color: #ee60bf;">:</span></strong></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">With my voice I cry out to the Lord;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I pour out my complaint before him;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I tell my trouble before him.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">When my spirit faints within me,</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">you know my way! </span></em><strong _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 142:1-3</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Trust in him at all times, O people;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">pour out your heart before him;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="NL" style="color: #323232;">God is</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="DA" style="color: #323232;"><em>a refuge for us. Selah.</em> <strong> - </strong></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="PT" style="color: #323232;"><strong>Psalm 62:8</strong></span></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Out of my distress I called on the Lord;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">the Lord answered me and set me free. </span></em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 118:5</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>Pray without ceasing. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- 1</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Thessalonians 5:17</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Hebrews 4:16</span></strong></li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Prayer is our refuge. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">We can pour out our hearts to God at any moment, in any place. He hears our cry. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">He knows our heart. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">He instructs us to prayer without ceasing.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, living ever to make intercession for us. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">(<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+6%3A19-20&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00d7fb;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+6%3A19-20&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 215, 251) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Hebrews 6:19-20</a>)</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 11pt;">We may draw near and find grace to help in our time of need. Prayer is our sanctuary.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #ee60bf;" style="color: #ee60bf;"><strong>#3 We Find Strength in His Presence:</strong></span></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Seek the Lord and his strength;</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">seek his presence continually. </span></em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 105:4</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>Be still, and know that I am God.</em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> - </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="PT" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 46:10</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Matthew 11:28-30</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>Blessed are those whose strength is in you. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 84:5</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>For the Lord will not forsake his people.</em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> - </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 94:14</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>He is our help</em>. </span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 94:17</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>His steadfast love upholds us. </em></span><strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 94:18</span></strong></li>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" class="Default" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><em>He is our stronghold and rock of refuge.<strong> - </strong></em></span><strong _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Psalm 94:22</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></strong></li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">In God's presence we find strength and joy. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">He has given us His Spirit as our helper, comforter and teacher.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> (<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14-16&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00d7fb; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14-16&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 215, 251) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">John 14-16</a>). </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">In His presence we find peace and joy. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">We need to constantly seek Him because we all have that independent nature about us that wants to do it on our own! </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">God has created us to live dependent upon Him because only in His presence will we find the strength, joy, peace and contentment we are seeking.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;"><em>The Lord is everlasting God,</em></span></div>
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<em> the Creator of the ends of the earth.</em></div>
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<em> He does not faint or grow weary;</em></div>
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<em> He gives power to the faint,</em></div>
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<em> and to him who has might he increases strength.</em></div>
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<em> Even youths shall faint and be weary,</em></div>
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<em> and young men shall fall exhausted;</em></div>
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<em> but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; </em></div>
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<em>they shall walk and not faint. </em></div>
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<strong><em>- Isaiah 40:28-31</em></strong></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Are you running on empty? </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Are you at the end of your rope? </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Are you in need of a refuge and some refueling?</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Find REAL strength in His Word, in prayer and in His presence! </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">He is always there...waiting for us to run to Him and cry out for help.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-89430743827632172862014-04-14T11:29:00.001-07:002014-04-14T11:30:15.081-07:00April 14, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><img _mce_src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs194/1102117926124/img/1238.jpg" border="0" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1238" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs194/1102117926124/img/1238.jpg" vspace="5" width="372" /> </i></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: 14pt;" style="color: #e35c8a; font-size: 14pt;"><b><b>Get Real: The Freedom of Surrender</b></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 15px;" style="font-size: 15px;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Now the Lordis the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</span><span _mce_style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"> </span>-<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A17&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A17&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">2 Corinthians 3:17</a><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> (NIV)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;">The Flesh</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232; font-weight: normal;" style="color: #323232; font-weight: normal;"> My flesh lashes out in anger.</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></div>
<div _mce_style="color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh has road rage.</span></div>
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<span> </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">My flesh is impatient with others when I</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">'</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">m in a hurry.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh yells at my children.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh sees interruptions as obstacles.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh seeks its own way.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh wants praise.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh likes to overeat.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh complains about circumstances.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh is not grateful.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh likes to boast.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh criticizes others.</span></div>
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<span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh judges others</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">' </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">weaknesses.</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh always wants to be right.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh does not accept constructive criticism.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> My flesh is selfish.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">We deal with our flesh and its desires on a daily basis, in every aspect of our lives. </span><span _mce_style="font-weight: normal; font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">The flesh is constantly ready to rear its ugly head and demand, </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">"</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I deserve it my way</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">" </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">and </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">"</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">I have rights!"</span></span></div>
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<i><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for m</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">e<i>.</i><b>Galatians 2:20</b></span></i></div>
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<i>For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. </i></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;" style="color: #323232; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Philippians 1:21</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">According to Galatians 2:20 and Philippians 1:21, we are to no longer live for the flesh, but surrendered to Christ Jesus. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232; font-weight: normal; font-size: medium;" style="color: #323232; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Take a look at this list, composed by<i> Elisabeth Elliot, </i>of some of our rights that need to be surrendered. And she includes Scriptures to back it up!</span></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to take revenge - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A19-20&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A19-20&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Romans 12:19-20</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to have a comfortable, secure home - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A57-58&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A57-58&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 9:57-58</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to spend money however we please - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-21&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-21&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Matthew 6:19-21</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to hate an enemy - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A43-48&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A43-48&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Matthew 5:43-48</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to be honored and served - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A42-47&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A42-47&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Mark 10:42-47</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to understand God<span lang="FR">'</span>s plan before we obey - <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A8&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A8&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Hebrews 11:8</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to hold a grudge <span>- </span><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A13&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A13&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Colossians 3:13</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to "fit into" society<span> - </span><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Romans 12:2</a>, <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations+1%3A10&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations+1%3A10&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Gal 1:10</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to do whatever feels good <span>- </span><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations+5%3A16-17&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations+5%3A16-17&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Gal 5:16-17</a>, </b><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A2&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A2&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Peter 4:2</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to complain<span> - </span><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A14&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A14&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Philippians 2:14</a>, <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thesalonians+5%3A18&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thesalonians+5%3A18&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">1 Thes 5:18</a></b></li>
<li _mce_style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;">The right to put self first <span>- </span><b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A3-4&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A3-4&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Philippians 2:3-4</a></b></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;"><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">OUCH! </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">There is no getting around that daily battle of dealing with our flesh. But we are not left without help. </span></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">Jesus promised when he left earth that He would not leave His followers without help. You can read more about the Holy Spirit</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">'</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">s coming to dwell in believers after Jesus</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">' </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">resurrection in <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A1-41&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A1-41&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Acts 2:1-41</a></b>. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;">The Spirit</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">According to <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A26&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A26&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">John 14:26</a>, the Holy Spirit is our Helper/Advocate/</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="DA" style="color: #323232;">Comforter</span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">. </span><span _mce_style="color: #323232; font-weight: normal; font-size: medium;" style="color: #323232; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Take a look at the biblical word definition for Holy Spirit as used in the New Testament: </span></div>
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<i><i><b><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">parakletos</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">"</span></b></i>- <i>an intercessor, consoler, advocate; summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid; one who pleads another'</i></i><i><i>s cause, an intercessor; of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom. </i></i><i><i>(Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary)</i></i></div>
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<i>In the Greek writers, used of a legal advisor, pleader, proxy, or advocate, one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another. Christ designates the Holy Spirit as Paraclete (<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A16%29&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A16%29&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">John 14:16</a>), and calls Him</i><i><span>"</span>a</i><span><i>́</i></span><i><span lang="ES-TRAD">llos</span>", another, which means another of equal quality. The Holy Spirit is called a Parakletos because He undertakes Christ's office in the world while Christ is not in the world as the God-Man in bodily form.</i> (Complete Word Studies Dictionary, AMG Publishers)</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;">So what is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">The above definitions give us some insight, but take a look at </span><span _mce_style="color: #00caee;" style="color: #00caee;"><b><a _mce_href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/ogyYKoCiNXjBv1pL.pdf" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/ogyYKoCiNXjBv1pL.pdf" linktype="document" ref="ACCOUNT.DOCUMENT.1255" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" title="undefined" track="on">this short list</a> </b></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">from Scripture that describes the Holy Spirit in us and be encouraged! </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>"</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>The Spirit brings liberty. The Spirit transforms us into the image of our beloved Lord, as we behold His glory. The Spirit indwells these common earthen vessels. The Spirit brings us into situations of death where the life of Christ might be manifested so clearly that others might see and desire Jesus. The Spirit sustains us in these momentary light afflictions and, thus, produces an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. And the Spirit enables us to look beyond the temporal to the eternal.</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>"</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;">(Kay Arthur)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;">So what is our part in the flesh/Spirit battle?</span></div>
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In <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-11&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-11&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">John 15:1-11</a></b> and <b><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A16&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A16&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Galatians 5:16</a> </b>we are given instruction as to our part in battling the flesh. Our part is to abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit. </div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e35c8a;" style="color: #e35c8a;">What does it mean to walk in the Spirit ?</span></div>
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Walking in the Spirit is our willingness to recognize the flesh in action and then to surrender our will to God<span>'</span>s will. It<span>'</span>s about remaining in constant communion with Jesus through the Word and prayer. It<span>'</span>s about realizing all the Spirit does for us and in us and living out that reality on a daily basis. It<span>'</span>s bowing the heart and bending the knee to the lordship of Jesus in our lives, asking for His help and guidance. It<span>'</span>s a daily choice we make.</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #323232;" color="#323232" style="color: #323232;"><i> </i></span><span _mce_style="font-weight: normal; font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>Every time your flesh, or mine, crosses the will of God, and we choose to bow the head and surrender to the will of God, our will is crucified, and Christ is exalted as Lord.</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i> </i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>I go to the cross every time my will contradicts the will of God, and I say </i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>"</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>no</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>" </i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>to my will, and I say </i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>"</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>yes</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>" </i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>to the will of God. I bow my head. I choose to surrender. I have chosen the pathway of the cross. That</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" lang="FR" style="color: #323232;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"><i>s where surrender takes us.</i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232;" style="color: #323232;"> </span></i></span><span _mce_style="color: #323232; font-weight: normal; font-size: medium;" style="color: #323232; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>(Nancy Leigh DeMoss)</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: medium; color: #323232;" style="color: #323232; font-size: small;"><strong><i>Be encouraged, we have the power and strength needed to battle our flesh!</i></strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-68562577432568587452014-04-14T11:19:00.002-07:002014-04-14T11:20:12.143-07:00April 7, 2014<br />
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<span><b>Get Real: Living in True Freedom!</b></span></div>
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<b>Read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A5-14&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+17%3A5-14&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Jeremiah 17:5-14</a>.</b></div>
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<span>In Jeremiah 17:5-14 we find a contrast between the person who trusts and depends on the flesh for strength and the one who trusts in the Lord for his strength. Where we place our trust and where we find our strength affects so many aspects of our lives, including the sense of freedom and joy we experience.</span></div>
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<span><b>Look at some of the contrasts between the one who trusts in man/flesh and the one who trusts in the Lord from this passage:</b></span></div>
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<span><b>Trusting/depending upon the</b></span><span lang="DA"><b> flesh:</b></span></div>
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<li><span>Cursed</span></li>
<li><span>Heart turned away from God</span></li>
<li><span>Does not prosper/bear fruit</span></li>
<li><span>Dwells in a parched place/a desert</span><span> </span></li>
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<span><b>Trusting/depending upon the Lord:</b></span></div>
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<li><span>Blessed</span></li>
<li><span>Does not fear</span></li>
<li><span>No worries</span></li>
<li><span>Never fails to bear fruit</span></li>
<li><span>Dwells by the water</span> </li>
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<span>We all have an independent nature about us that wants to have it </span><span>"</span><span>our way</span><span>"</span><span>and to control circumstances and people in our lives as we see fit</span><span>...</span><span>Scripture refers to it as our</span><span>"</span><span>flesh</span><span>"</span><span>.</span></div>
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<span>The enemy loves to keep us independent and operating in our own strength</span><span>...</span><span>our flesh. There are many tactics he employs to keep us focused on our self-sufficiency. <b>I</b></span><span><b>'</b></span><span><b>d like to focus on a few that we tend to struggle with as women:</b></span></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><b>Control</b></span><span>-</span><span>The need to control keeps us very focused on self and the flesh. Attempts to control people and situations brings about stress and anxiety in our lives. It fosters broken relationships and discord and leaves us frazzled, frustrated and worn out. This need to control often manifests itself in perfectionism in our lives.</span><span> </span></li>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><b>Busyness</b></span><span>-</span><span>When our lives are filled and overwhelmed with activity we find it hard, or even impossible, to take the time needed to be in God</span><span lang="FR">'</span><span>s presence and His Word. But God</span><span>'</span><span>s Word r</span><span lang="FR">eveal</span><span>s our true heart</span><span lang="FR">'</span><span lang="ES-TRAD">s condition</span><span>. It is in taking the time to</span><span>"</span><span>be</span><span>"</span><span>in His presence and attuned to His Word that He not only reveals issues of our hearts, but deals with those issues so that we can reflect Jesus more. But sometimes it</span><span>'</span><span>s easier to stay busy than to deal with our heart issues. Busyness also feeds that Super Woman Syndrome in us that says we can do it all, have it all and control it all!</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #de419a;" style="color: #de419a;"><b>God calls us to live dependent upon Him. </b></span><span>Our God is the only one who is Sovereign over all things. He is omniscient</span><span>...</span><span>He knows all things and see all things at once. He is not defined by time or space. He is omnipresent</span><span>...</span><span>He is everywhere. He is omnipotent</span><span>...</span><span>He is all powerful and in control of all things. His wisdom is far beyond anything we could ever fathom. He is Creator, so he knows what is best for His creation.</span></div>
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<span>And although the idea of being able to do what we want, when we want, and the way we want sounds appealing and like freedom, it really just puts us in bondage!<b>Because, plainly put, any attempt to live independent from God is sin.</b></span></div>
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<span>We have been deceived into believing the lie that we can do it all, have it all, and control it all. We have been deceived into believing that if we can</span><span>'</span><span>t keep it all together and do it perfectly, then we have somehow failed. We don</span><span>'</span><span>t like to feel weak and incapable of handling life</span><span>'</span><span>s circumstances. </span> </div>
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<span><b>But here is what God</b></span><span><b>'</b></span><span><b>s Word has to say about weakness and being out of control:</b></span></div>
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<span><i>But he said to me, </i></span><span><i>"</i></span><span><i>My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.</i></span><span><i>" </i></span><span><i>Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. </i></span></div>
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<span><i><i><b>2 Corinthians 12:9-10</b></i></i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 15px;" style="font-size: 15px;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e14c9c;" style="color: #e14c9c;"><b>We are strongest in our weakness</b></span><span> because this drives us to the feet of Jesus, where we find true strength. Our part is to daily surrender to Jesus </span><span>- </span><span>to run to Him for refuge and strength when we are weak. To run to Him when we are in need of wisdom and guidance. To wait patiently in His presence when we feel the need to </span><span>"</span><span>fix</span><span>" </span><span>or</span><span>"</span><span>control</span><span>"</span><span>things in life.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e14c9c;" style="color: #e14c9c;"><b>We are strongest in our weakness</b></span><span> because it helps us to realize and live out the truth that our true identity is not found in doing it </span><span>"</span><span>our way</span><span>"</span><span>or trying to control situations and people. Our true identity is based on who we are in Christ Jesus and this is where we find true freedom. We are most satisfied and fulfilled in life when we live dependent upon Him and seek to bring Him glory to Him in all we do.</span></div>
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<span><b>So what do we do when we find ourselves operating in the </b></span><span><b>"</b></span><span><b>flesh</b></span><span><b>"</b></span><span><b>and trying to be Super Woman</b></span><span>? </span></div>
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<span>Here</span><span>'</span><span>s a starting place:</span></div>
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<span><i>Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive </i></span><span><i>mercy and find grace to help in time of need.</i></span><span> <b>Hebrews 4:16</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #e14c9c;" style="color: #e14c9c;"><b>In our weakness we can be confident.</b></span><span> I know it sounds like a contradiction. But when we acknowledge our weakness and need and then run confidently to the place where we know can find strength, that is true confidence. Our confidence no longer rests in our strength or abilities, but in Christ! Our weakness and God</span><span>'</span><span>s strength form an unbeatable combination.</span></div>
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<span>Personally, I have found in my walk with the Lord the more I</span><span>'</span><span>ve been willing to lay it down and run to Jesus, to admit I</span><span>'</span><span>m weak and in need of help from Him, the more confident I</span><span>'</span><span>ve become as a woman. The need to be perfect and win the approval of others has decreased in my life as God has used my surrender to build me up in Christ Jesus. Because it is in Christ where I find my true identity and where my need for significance, acceptance and security are all fulfilled.</span></div>
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<span><i>"</i></span><span><i>God can achieve his purpose either through the absence of human power and </i></span><span><i>resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them. All through history God has chosen</i></span><span><i>and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on him made possible the </i></span><span><i>unique display of his power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they </i></span><span><i>renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.</i></span><span><i>" </i></span><span><b><i>Oswald Chambers</i></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #df4b98;" style="color: #df4b98;">Has this need to control everyone and everything in your life been robbing you of joy and peace or ruining your relationships? Do you find yourself frazzled and frustrated?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #df4b98;" style="color: #df4b98;">As others see your life and your priorities, who do they see as the source of your identity and sufficiency?</span></div>
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<span><b><b>If you are tired and worn out trying to control it all, be it all and do it all, then run to Jesus! Be willing to die to self and bow before the throne of Jesus where you will find grace, mercy, strength and the help to carry you through it all!</b></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-17921164802405266472014-03-31T12:29:00.002-07:002014-03-31T12:29:45.389-07:00March 31, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><b><b>Get OUT of the Expectation Trap!</b></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Expectations! We all have them and when our expectations collide with our reality, that's what I call Expectality! Sometimes it can be good. Better than we expected, but very often it's an explosion in our lives that robs our joy and peace and ruins relationships! So how do we get out of this expectation trap? Some people say we should just not have expectations and then we won't be disappointed. But I think that tends to be a bit fatalistic. That attitude often robs us of growth in our life and the joys God has planned for us. He has purpose for even the hard places in our lives, even in our disappointed longings and expectations. God has wired with a sense of expectancy. It's all about where we are choosing to place our expectations and how we choose to respond to those that are unmet.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">We looked earlier this week at some observations on how our expectations can affect life and some of those root causes. Today I'd like to share some practical steps we can take to get out, to find some freedom from our expectations so they are not ruling our lives, robbing us of joy and ruining our relationships.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><b>We can choose how we will respond to our unfulfilled and disappointed longings!</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">We can choose to let our expectations and circumstances define us, or we can choose to surrender them to Jesus and trust Him!<b> </b>As long as we cling tightly to our "thing", it will keep us in bondage and we will keep digging empty cisterns that will never satisfy our thirsty hearts and souls.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">I've found these principles throughout God's Word, but for today let's look at<b> <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+5%3A1-3&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+5%3A1-3&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 5:1-3</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and <b>wait in expectation</b>. (Psalm 5:1-3 NIV) </i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. (Psalm 5:1-3 ESV)</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: #e248c2;" style="color: #e248c2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><b># 1</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: #e248c2;" style="color: #e248c2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> <b>POUR OUT</b></span></div>
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<span><i><span _mce_style="font-style: normal; font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal;">Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you</span><span _mce_style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;" color="#262626" face="Helvetica" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">...</span><span _mce_style="font-style: normal; font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">The first thing we notice about the Psalmist is that he is crying out to God. He's pouring His heart out! We need to follow his lead. Cry out to God, pour your heart out and tell Him exactly what you're feeling and thinking. The thing is, He already knows what we are thinking and feeling. But it deepens our intimacy with Jesus when we're willing to make Him our refuge. When we are willing to Get Real with God!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">It's about emptying our hearts and surrendering that "thing" to Jesus. I think it's also an important part of grieving the loss. We've allowed this "thing" to occupy space in our hearts and heads and when we realize that it's something we need to surrender, it is a loss. So pour out your heart! Acknowledge your disappointment. Acknowledge that you've been seeking happiness and satisfaction in life by trying to fill the empty places in your heart and life with things other than Jesus. I have found that God has used those disappointed longings to draw me closer to Him and fill me with things beyond my wildest expectations!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">The ESV translation uses the wording<b> "prepare a sacrifice"</b> and I think we will all agree that sometimes we feel that sacrifice of laying our expectations and deepest longings down at the feet of Jesus. It's good! He is our safe place. And once we can come to the point of emptying and surrender, He will fill that empty place with His love, peace, joy and hope.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>But I enter Your house by the abundance of Your faithful love; I bow down toward Your holy temple in reverential awe of You</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">. Psalm 5:7 (HCSB)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">At some point we have to be willing to step out in faith and trust God. Trust His purpose and plan for our life. Trust can be hard for many of us, especially if we've been hurt in the past. But our God is faithful! Often we find it hard to trust God because we are basing that trust solely on our experiences in life, rather than on the character and nature of God. We see and think with finite minds. We can't see the big picture. His thoughts are greater than ours and His ways are greater than ours. And yes, we live in a world of sin that hurts and disappoints, but God is good! He is a safe place! We can trust Him!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">But trust begins with relationship and getting to know someone. We need our minds constantly renewed with the living water of the Word of God and by His Spirit. This is where we will come to know the character and nature of who God is. I find it helpful whenever I'm reading the Word to make notes of what I learn from that passage about who God is. This has built my faith tremendously, especially through the stories of the people in the Bible as God has revealed himself to them.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Rehearsing God's character and attributes on a regular basis has been so helpful to me in building my faith and helping me to step out when I feel myself wanting to hold back and hold on tightly.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Be willing to step out in faith and trust God's plan for your life. Trust Him to fill those empty places in your heart and life that expectations have been robbing.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10 (NIV)</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: #e248c2;" style="color: #e248c2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">#3 <b>LOOK OUT</b> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Psalm 5:3 (HCSB)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">The psalmist finds himself looking out and watching expectantly.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">In the original language the word in Psalm 5:3 for<b> wait </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><b _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"></b></span></div>
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<b _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="color: black;"><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><b>expectantly/watch</b></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"> means <i>to look out or about, watch closely, with the primary idea of inclining, bending forward in order to view. </i></span></b></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">Remember in our last discussion on expectations that our first observation was, this earth is not our home. We are just passing through for a time. It's helpful to keep an eternal perspective in dealing with expectations. God has given us much good to enjoy here on earth, but it is not the source of our ultimate joy. We will never be fully satisfied until heaven. Keep bending forward and leaning hard into Jesus. Keep looking out beyond the here and now to eternity. We absolutely cannot fathom all that God has for us in eternity! We will be awed and amazed!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"> 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"> Colossians 3:1-4</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">. Psalm 5:11 (HCSB)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">The psalmist ends praising God and proclaiming His goodness. Praise and giving thanks is an important part of letting go of the hold expectations have on us. Praise brings us directly into God's presence. Things look different. Life feels different. It's a place of peace and joy regardless of the circumstances swirling around us! Keeping a list of things we are thankful for in this life is so helpful in keeping our perspective looking upward. And an attitude of gratitude and praise will transform an expectality collision into a place of peace, joy and contentment. Praise changes our attitude and outlook!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">. Ephesians 3:20-21</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">I find music that proclaims the excellencies of God's character and ways so helpful when I'm in one of those ruts of disappointment, discouragement or discontentment caused by unmet or unfulfilled expectations and longings.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">So rejoice! Dance! Sing! Get your praise party on!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;"><i>"With hearts of renewed love, minds with fresh wisdom, and hands of energized compassion, we choose to trust God to turn every moment of every day into something beautiful. 'Jesus Christ...a real, living, mighty Savior, able to save me now.' (quote from Catherine Booth) This kind of relationship with Jesus transforms us...one day, one conversation, one moment at a time</i></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-family: Helvetica;">!" Clinton, Julie, Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-53466661764908700312014-03-27T06:07:00.001-07:002014-03-27T06:07:47.716-07:00March 24, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Get Real: Expectations! </strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Do you have some dreams, desires and expectations that have yet to be fulfilled? Are there disappointed longings in your life? Is there a specific request you have been waiting patiently on God to answer?</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"> Is there something you are groaning and yearning for? Do you feel like a plane in a holding pattern...circling...waiting to land?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Have your unfulfilled expectations and waiting bred the dreaded 3 D's? </b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Discontentment. Disappointment. Discouragement.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">We've all had disappointments in life - circumstances and people have let us down. I've certainly had my share. There are things I have struggled with for years, circumstances and relationships that I'd hope would change or improve. <b>So what are we supposed to do with all these disappointed longings? Are they normal? Is there something wrong with us?</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">This week I'd like to share with you some observations from life and God's Word regarding our expectations and longings that have been unfulfilled or have disappointed us. I hope these will encourage you as you take a look at the expectations in your life.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#1 Our deepest longings that can't be satisfied are very normal.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">T</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">his earth is not our home. We will never be completely satisfied with this world. We will not know complete satisfaction until heaven. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i>And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For whohopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. </i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">We often find ourselves frustrated and discontent and always looking for more because we're more concerned about "feeling" better in the here and now rather than finding God. We want God to make things better. We want satisfaction! And the world tells us we deserve it. But that's not real truth! </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">If we can remember that this earth and its treasures were never meant to fill those empty places in our hearts and souls, then we will find ourselves on the path to greater peace, joy and contentment in life. And we can't even begin to fathom or imagine what God has in store for us in eternity!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#2 We have an enemy.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">The enemy likes to get us doubting God's goodness and plan for our life. It's been his tactic from the beginning. He loves when we are discontent with God's plans and the good we have or discouraged by the circumstances of life. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i> Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. -</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">1 Peter 5:7-9</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#3 We don't like disappointment and want to relieve the pain so we tend seek satisfaction elsewhere.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i>For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"> -Jeremiah 2:13</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">God's people found themselves in bondage and Jeremiah explains there were two reasons. They had forsaken God, the living water and instead dug their own cisterns, broken ones that could not hold living water. They had become impatient and dissatisfied with God's ways. They had chosen to make their own way. They attempted to manipulate outcomes and sought to bring about the happiness they felt they deserved. But in the end they found themselves in bondage -alone, thirsty and empty.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Cistern: </b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">The definition by Webster gives us clear meaning: <i>an artificial reservoir for storing liquids, especially water</i>. Often in OT times the empty ones were used as prisons.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">Cisterns are just our attempts to fill those empty places in our lives with things that aren't real, that don't satisfy. Instead of expending our energy on filling our own cisterns, we need to allow our thirst to drive us to the feet of Jesus.<b>A cistern is anything we turn to for safety, security or satisfaction in our lives apart from Jesus</b>. We often end up digging ourselves into bondage, imprisoned by our own expectations and desires. We dig cisterns when we try to manipulate circumstances to meet our needs and desires. We dig cisterns when we become impatient with the waiting and try to fix the problem or alleviate the pain in our own strength.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Let's get real!</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"> L<b>et's face reality. Disappointment is part of life. There will be pain in this life. What we need to realize and embrace is that it is okay to feel disappointment. </b>It's a great opportunity for growth. If we will allow ourselves to "feel" the disappointment, to process it, grieve over it, and then trust God to fill that place with His presence, we will be stronger and more satisfied.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">God calls us to come to the well of living water and drink deeply. His Word is living water that will satisfy our thirsty souls. Jesus is the living water who will satisfy our deepest longings. Without the constant renewal of the fresh water of God's Word, we will continue to be thirsty and empty.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#4 We don't like to wait, so we begin to believe the lie instead of trusting Truth. </b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Wait -</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i>to remain inactive or stay in <b>one spot</b> until something anticipated occurs; to be in a state of readiness.</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">(American Heritage Dictionary)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">I love that definition of waiting in <b>"one spot". </b>Sometimes that "one spot" can be a rut, a place where we find ourselves stuck. It's a place where we allow the discouragement, discontentment or disappointment to define us. We believe the lie that we deserve more and we should be completely satisfied here on earth. But the truth is, there is a "one spot" that is the perfect place to plant ourselves -a place where we can experience joy, peace and contentment. <b>That "one spot" is God's presence. It's sweet. It's secure. It's satisfying. We need to let those longings drive us into Jesus' presence. </b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">The original word for <b>wait</b> conveys the idea of binding or twisting, like that of a rope. God's Word calls us to wait upon Him -to bind ourselves to Him, to cling to Him, to seek refuge while we wait in His presence. Waiting can be a very good thing! Check out these verses for some encouragement on waiting: <b>Psalm 27:14, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 62:5, Psalm 130:5, Isaiah 26:8, Lamentations 3:24-25, Isaiah 40:31.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#5 </b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>We need a heart check-up and maybe even a complete overhaul.</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">Often that disappointment, discouragement and discontent will take root and bring about bitterness, anger and envy in our lives. What we are cultivating in our hearts, minds, and souls is critical. What are you planting? What is taking root? What needs to be weeded out? I need a heart realignment so that my longings and desires are aligned with God's desires and will for my life. <b> Perhaps He is using this circumstance, unfulfilled desire or expectation to detach me from the things of the world so that I might attach myself to Him in a deeper way.</b> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">If we will allow God to work, he will reveal the places in our hearts, that "thing" that's not right. That "thing" that doesn't align with His will. But we have to spend time in the Word, at the feet of Jesus, in order for this to happen. And this is not an easy process! Digging out roots and weeds in our hearts is painful. Sometimes we'd just prefer to ignore those hard places in our hearts -to pretend they don't exist. But what the enemy loves to keep hidden in darkness, Jesus longs to bring to the light so He can heal and restore us! He wants to empty our lives of all those things that are preventing us from experiencing true freedom and joy. He will replace the emptiness with His presence.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">As we continue to remain and wait in His Word, to know His truth and to allow it to permeate our lives, He will heal our hurts and realign our hearts<b>. He is the HEART REVEALER and He is the HEART HEALER.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><i>For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. -</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Will you let God dig into your heart and soul and transform your life? Will you let him make your life new and not just better the circumstances?</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #e646ad;" style="color: #e646ad; font-size: 11pt;"><b>#6 We can choose how we will respond! </b></span></div>
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<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Are your expectations holding you back from the abundant life NOW?</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">How do we keep our expectations from ruining our relationships and robbing us of our joy and peace?</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">What if God never fulfills that expectation or longing in your life?</li>
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<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">What if things remain "the same"?</li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>We can choose how we will respond to our unfulfilled and disappointed longings!</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">We can choose to let our expectations and circumstances define us, or we can choose to surrender them to Jesus and trust Him!<b> </b>As long as we cling tightly to our "thing", it will keep us in bondage and we will keep digging empty cisterns that will never satisfy our thirsty hearts and souls.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">It begins by <b>KNOWING </b>who God is, His character and nature,<b> TRUSTING </b>His purposes and plan,<b> h</b>aving an<b>ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE, </b>and being<b> THANKFUL in the NOW.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Would you like some practical steps you can take to get OUT of the rut where your expectations put you in a place of discouragement, discontentment or disappointment? </b></span><a _mce_href="http://www.susancady.com/get-out-of-the-expectation-trap/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.susancady.com/get-out-of-the-expectation-trap/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Check this out!</a></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;">This week I'd love for you to read the stories of some women from Scripture who experienced disappointment, loss, hurt and unfulfilled longings and desires. Some of them are an example of trusting God with their expectations and others an example of what happens when we try to fill our emptiness through our own methods. I hope you'll take some time this week to download the lesson and spend some time in God's Word.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #262626;" style="color: #262626; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Let Him transform your heart and life and fill your empty longings!</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-9755872176262102182014-03-27T06:07:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:07:35.160-07:00March 17, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get Real: Real Truth for Real
Life! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is real truth?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...<i>Your word is truth. </i><i>—</i>John 17:17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who
take refuge in him</i>. —<span lang="DE">Proverbs 30:5</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It</span></b><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s found in the Word of God! God</span></b><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s Word is how He has chosen to reveal himself to us in
a very real, tangible way that will transform our every day lives. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is
the Word. And His Word has been given so
that we might know Him better and understand His ways and desires for our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">What does God</span></b><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span></b><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;">s Word do in us?</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It renews us. It refines us. It
restores us. It refocuses our mind</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s attention and our heart</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s affection.</span></span></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is living and active</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <b>Hebrews 4:12 </b>- living and active,
divides soul and spirit, joint and marrow and judges the thoughts and
intentions of our hearts. It</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">s
real!</span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word cleanses and renews</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <b> John 17:17</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is good</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and are for my good. <b>Proverbs
16:20, 1 Peter 1:25</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word guides and directs. Psalm 25:5, John 16:13</span></b></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word stands firm</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> (does not wither or fade). <b>Isaiah
40:8</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is eternal. I Peter 1:25</span></b></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <b>imperishable</b> (living and
abiding). <b>1 Peter 1:23</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word encourages</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and <b>comforts</b>. <b>Romans 15:4</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is trustworthy and faithful. Psalm 111:7</span></b></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word is teaches, rebuke, corrects and trains in righteousness </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">so
that we are thoroughly equipped for every good work! <b>2 Timothy 3:16-17</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
Word changes my daily life. Psalm 86:11</span></b></li>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So often in life we get
stuck. Stuck in our comfort zones. Stuck in our routines. Stuck in life. Stuck in a rough place. Stuck in our hard places. Hebrews 4:14-16 has a word of encouragement
for us regarding this and how we can live REAL!
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Since then we have a great high
priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold
fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted
as we are, yet without sin. <b>Let us then with confidence draw near to the
throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of
need. </b></span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Hebrews 4:14-16<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Draw near</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> in the original language means<i> to approach, to
come near, to worship. </i>It</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s from two words,<i> </i></span><b><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">pros </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">meaning <i>direction, forward, toward </i>and<i> </i></span><b><i><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">erchomai</span></i></b><i><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">meaning<i>
to come from one place to another. </i> <b>It</b></span><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s the idea of movement and
action in a forward, progressive direction</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">forward! </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes it</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s hard to take that step forward, out of our rut and
hard places. They can become so
comfortable and can give us a sense of security. Sometimes we even prefer to remain in those
hard and painful places because at least we know them...they are familiar. But if we will trust the Lord and allow His
Word to permeate our hearts and souls, He will move us forward </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">forward to a place of joy, peace, contentment and
security. And in the process we</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">ll begin to look a little more like
Jesus! That</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s our goal in this life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">m asking you to join me in a lifestyle of <b>MOVING FORWARD</b>,
of </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">drawing near</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">. Let</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s draw near.
Let</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s
approach His throne. He is our helper. He is near. If we will allow Him, He will take the power
of His Word and transform our hearts and lives.
He will give us undivided affections and attentions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will you choose to believe, trust,
take Him at His word and allow it to make you more like Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Remember! Real truth moves beyond behavior modification
to heart transformation </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">—</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">this will make a
difference in your every day life. It</span></b><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s this transformation that
will show others what you really believe about Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join me as we study the Word
each week by looking at the Text, Truth and Transformation:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Text: </b>What does the passage say?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Truth</b>: What is the truth I need to know? How does it
apply to my life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b>Transformation</b>: What will I do with what I</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">ve learned? How will it change my
daily life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #76ba40; font-size: 11.0pt;">Download</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> this week</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s lesson from our Tuesday class </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica;">— </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">a study through Psalm 19.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-2512852394602928392014-03-14T09:44:00.002-07:002014-03-14T09:44:41.240-07:00March 10, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Get Real! </b> What exactly does that mean?</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>real</b>: \ˈrē(-ə)l\</span></div>
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<li _mce_style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; margin: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Real - it's become a relative term in our world today and hard to know at times what's real and what's not. Things are constantly in a state of flux -from our weather, to our economic and political situation and even our everyday lives at times. It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of whatever has blown into our lives at the moment. It's easy to lose perspective. It's easy to become discouraged and feel overwhelmed by all life is throwing at us. And then we all tend to put on our "happy face" masks and walk around feeling isolated and alone, as if we are the only ones dealing with disappointment, discouragement and defeat.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. -</i>Romans 1:25</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>So where do we go for answers and how do we find purpose, joy, contentment and peace in the midst of life's craziness?</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. -</i>Proverbs 30:5</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. </i>-Psalm 119:151</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">God's Word and a growing relationship with Him has the answers we need! Are you willing to dig deep, and possibly get a little muddy along the way, in exchange for a life of joy, peace and contentment regardless of life's circumstances? </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Join us for <i>Get Real</i>, a weekly Bible study, where we will unpack a truth from Scripture that will help us find real answers. But beyond just learning truth, we will seek to share ways we can make this truth a real, practical part of our daily lives -taking us from living in mere survival mode to thriving, even in the midst of life's disappointments, discouragements and defeats. </span></div>
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<b>Text - Truth -Transformation</b> will be our weekly format as we study the Word together. </div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. </i>-Ephesians 1:13</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>Jesus said to him, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life. </i>-John 14:6</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>"So Jesus said...if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -</i>John 8:31</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; -</i>Psalm 25:5</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color;">I hope you'll make plans to join us, learn with us, share with us and grow with us. </span><span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If you can't join us in person on Tuesday mornings, we'd love for you to join us online at <a _mce_href="http://www.susancady.com/?cb=014861684548668563" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.susancady.com/?cb=014861684548668563" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">susancady.com</a>. Lessons and devotions will be posted each week.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Susan Cady </span>is a Women's Bible Study leader at Warren Baptist Church.</div>
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<span _mce_style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">©2014 Susan Cady, susancady.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-51752520240689022902014-03-03T12:57:00.002-08:002014-03-03T12:57:44.806-08:00March 3, 2014<span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Psalm 27:4</b></span></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord </i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord</i></span><i _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">and to inquire in his temple.</i></strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Today we come to the final few phrases of this rich verse. As we do, I want to focus on three words that will help us understand the depth of David's plea.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">David says in this verse that he seeks to </span><em><strong><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt;">dwell in the house of the LORD.</span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Dwell</span><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>yashab - </i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">to remain, sit, abide, sit down, to stay, to be inhabited, to abide, to marry</span></strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Think about your own home for a moment. You furnish it, sleep in it, and live your life in it. You make it yours when you take up residence there, and hopefully, it provides you with a sense of relaxation, comfort, security, and peace.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">David sought to dwell, sit, abide, and stay in the house of the LORD all the days of his life. The temple, or tabernacle as it was called in the Old Testament, served as a visual reminder of the presence of God for His people. God's presence dwelled in the tabernacle, and David's one desire was to <i>abide, stay, sit, remain, take up residence</i> in the place of God's presence.</span></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Do you long for God's presence like that?</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What does the presence of God mean to you?</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Have you ever experienced it?</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Have you ever tried to explain what living in God's presence means to someone who never has</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Perhaps God is prompting you to share that with someone this week.</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">David wanted to ... </span><b _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>gaze upon the beauty of the LORD.</i></b></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Gaze</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> - </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>chazah - </i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">to see, perceive, to contemplate with pleasure, look, behold</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Have you ever been completely captivated by someone or something? Perhaps it was a breathtaking sunset or newborn baby that caught your attention. What did you do? Did you glance for a moment, or did you become so enamored by the vision that you stopped, turned, and looked "full-on" into the face of the exquisite sight? This idea of gazing or beholding requires more than a passing glance; it is purposeful contemplation of something so magnificent that you just can't take your eyes off of it. You drink in the sight, and as you do, you find sheer delight in its presence.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">This is what that word means ... to gaze on the beauty of the Lord is to look, with full attention, into the face of Jesus in all of His glory.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Several examples come to my mind when I think of gazing on the beauty of the LORD, but none are so prevalent than that of Mary of Bethany at Jesus' feet. We see her at His feet twice in Scripture. In Luke 10:39 we see her there listening to His teaching, and then in John 12:3 we see her anointing His feet and wiping it with her hair.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">I think what strikes me most about these two moments is the time Mary takes away from all of the other pressing things she could be doing. She simply sits with or dwells with Jesus in an unhurried fashion and finds delight and joy in His presence. She beholds His glory in each of those moments, and it is as though time stands still. She worships her Lord and is completely unconcerned with those around her. And both times she is rewarded with a verbal note of praise from Jesus and a heart bursting with love.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Have you done that recently? Have you taken the time to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Take a moment and </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A1-6&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A1-6&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">read Isaiah 53:1-6</a>. </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Put your name in the place of all of the pronouns in these verses and gaze upon the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Helvetica';" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><ul>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What is your response to what Jesus did for you?</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #000000; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Do you gaze upon His beauty daily?</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">F.B. Meyers says: </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>To behold his beauty is to keep looking off unto Jesus.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Will you keep looking off to Him today?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Read the following verses and think about the ways you can behold the Lord.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;">Psalm 119:18</span> - <i _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful (beautiful) things from your law. </i><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">(Read His Word.)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;">Psalm 119:37</span> - </span><i _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.</i><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">(Choose God's ways rather than sinful ways.)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;">Psalm 29:2</span> - </span><i _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name, worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.</i><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">(Worship the Lord.)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Helvetica';" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">David completes this verse with this phrase ... </span><b _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>to inquire in his temple.</i></b></div>
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<strong><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Inquire</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> - <i>baqar</i> - to break forth, inspect, admire, consider, search, seek, reflect, meditate, to look for, to do research, to make thorough inquiry in order to learn more about God's purposes, to pray</span></strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Do you know how to worry? I think we can all say a confident "yes" to that question. Think about what you do when you worry: You turn something over and over in your mind. You look at it from every angle, thinking and pondering it for the purpose of understanding and learning more about whatever it is you're worrying about. Does this sound familiar?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What if we took that same concept and applied it to "inquiring in His temple"? What if instead of worrying, we made a thorough inquiry to the Lord in order to learn more about His purposes? Would that be a better use of our time and energy? What if we were as intent about our inquiries with God as we are with fretting about trying to figure out our future? What if rather than worrying, we start praying and doing research (i.e. begin searching God's Word) for His answers rather than our best guesses? </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">You know the old saying, "Inquiring minds want to know." What's on your mind to know today? Perhaps you could try </span><i _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">inquiring in His temple</i><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">There is an old hymn that keeps coming to my mind as I think about this verse.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>O soul, are you weary and troubled?</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>No light in the darkness you see?</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>There's light for a look at the Savior,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>And life more abundant and free!</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Refrain:</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Turn your eyes upon Jesus,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Look full in His wonderful face,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>In the light of His glory and grace.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>His Word shall not fail you-He promised;</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Believe Him, and all will be well:</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Then go to a world that is dying,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>His perfect salvation to tell!</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Refrain:</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Turn your eyes upon Jesus,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Look full in His wonderful face,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>In the light of His glory and grace.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Will you turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face today? Will you inquire of Him - contemplate, meditate on and research His Word so you can best discern His voice and presence in your life?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;"><strong>Psalm 27:5</strong></span> gives insight into why verse 4 is so very important. Listen to it in<i _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">The Voice</i><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"> translation ...</span></div>
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<em><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">His house is my shelter and secret retreat. It is there I find peace in the midst of the storm and turmoil. </span><i _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Safety sits with me in the hiding place of God. He will set me on a rock, high above the fray.</i></em></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">The Lord's temple is our shelter, our secret retreat! When we dwell with our "One Thing," we can feel safe and secure, full of peace and joy! Did you catch that last phrase, "high above the fray"? The Lord will lift us up high above the fray.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Oh how I pray that our One Thing becomes our Only Thing! May we never look to our other things in place of THE One and Only Thing - Jesus!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">If you'd like to spend the next few weeks leading up to Easter with me, walking through the Tabernacle together, subscribe to my<a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on"> blog</a>. We'll <i>gaze on the beauty of the LORD and inquire in his temple</i>. <a _mce_href="http://Click here" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://Click here" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Click here</a> to subscribe and each Friday during Lent (March 5-20), you'll receive an email link to my Lenten devotional. We'll be taking a leisurely stroll through the Lord's sanctuary, enveloped in joy, beholding His glory.</span></div>
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Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-76983538319537289972014-02-28T06:19:00.003-08:002014-02-28T06:19:54.914-08:00February 24, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqVtrtkBCoY/UvZNIID4zvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/19q6kig_thc/s1600/1+Thing+graphic_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqVtrtkBCoY/UvZNIID4zvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/19q6kig_thc/s1600/1+Thing+graphic_CC.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Last
week we focused on the first portion of Psalm 27:4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One
thing have I asked of the LORD (Jehovah).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>We studied the meaning and importance of the name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jehovah,</i> and the difference Jehovah can
make in a situation, a person or an experience if we place Him in that “thing.”
We talked about how Jehovah needs to be our “One thing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our main truth last week was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">When my One Thing is the LORD (Jehovah), <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">I can rest in the fact that HE IS in all my other things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
week I want us to look at the next phrase in Psalm 27:4: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></b></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #00b0d4; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><em><b>That will I seek after ...</b></em></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">Let’s
focus on the word </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></b></span></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;"><b><i>seek</i></b></span></span></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> for a few moments.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Seek – </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">baqash</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">
(H1245) </span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">To search out (by any method, specifically in worship
and prayer)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To strive after, ask, beg beseech, to procure, require, desire,
request, demand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To seek to find<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To seek to secure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To seek the face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It denotes seeking someone’s presence especially the Lord’s or His
Word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Prior to having a personal relationship
with Jesus, it is God who does all of the seeking. He seeks after or “goes
after” us. He pursues us and draws us by His Spirit. After we have accepted
Christ and His Spirit is in us, we have a hunger and thirst for Him. Seeking
God becomes something we desire and delight in doing. Psalm 42:1 says, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #020f18; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As a deer pants for flowing
streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">But
seeking God is also something Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 6:33 which
says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">So we
can say that seeking God is an attitude of the heart and an act of one’s will.
We have an internal desire to go after God, but we must also fight our
compulsion to be self sufficient, lazy and at times apathetic. It is at times
like these that we must combat our fleshly nature where seeking God is
concerned. We must purpose to seek after Him. We must decide to act with intentional
obedience and go after God just as we would if we were searching for a hidden
treasure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt;">Read Proverbs
2:1-5 (ESV) (Emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">My
son, if you receive my words
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">and treasure up my commandments with
you,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">making
your ear attentive to wisdom
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">and inclining your heart to
understanding;<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">yes,
if you call out for insight
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">and raise your voice for understanding,<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">if you seek it like silver
</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">and
search for it as for hidden treasures</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">,<b> </b>then you will understand the fear of the Lord
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">and find the knowledge of God</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If I told you I
hid a check in your home made out to you for $100,000 would you go searching
for it? I believe you would! (I know I would!) How would you “go after” that
money? Would you nonchalantly roam through your house, skimming the surfaces to
see if, by chance, you came across it? I don’t think so! I think you would
probably turn your house upside down and inside out until you found it. You
would probably even call a friend and have them come over and help if you
became desperate enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Is that how we
“go after” God, though? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If part of
“going after” God is searching out His Word and praying, how are you doing with
seeking Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What about your
worship? God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. How IS
your worship? Do you have an intense desire to praise God? Do you desire to
bring Him glory with your life? Do you desire to worship Him through obedience
to His commands?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What about idols?
Are you more concerned about cleaning your house than sitting and reading the
Word? Are you more concerned with TV, the internet, food, shopping or some
other hobby than you are with praying? I say “idols” because anything we place
before God is, in fact, an idol. An idol doesn’t have to be a wooden statue. An
idol can be another person, a thing, an overly indulged pleasure, a comfort and
even a security that we put our trust in. ANYTHING we place more value on than
God is an idol. It’s what your heart most desires. It’s what you “go after.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">
Take this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center" style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;">Idol Test</span></b></span></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b>Ask yourself
this question:</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">What
is the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">and
the last thing I think about before I go to sleep at night?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Did you gain any insight as a result of your
answers to that question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Seeking after
or worshiping anything other than God deadens our heart, drains our time, depletes
our energy and destroys our fellowship with the Father. It leaves us desiring
more and more of it because nothing other than God truly satisfies us,
rejuvenates us or frees us like worshiping our <i>One Thing – Jehovah! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Please don’t
hear me wrong, a clean and orderly house is a good thing. A hobby is much deserved.
Our children, husbands and friends are wonderful! A job is important. The
comforts and securities we have are a blessing. But those things should never
be placed above or before Jehovah. Who is your God? Nothing and no one should
be “god” to us except God! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>He Is the
One whom our soul loves.</i></b> (Song of Solomon 3:4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #00b0d4; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Can you say that? </b></span></b></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #00b0d4; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>I have found the one whom my soul loves</i></b></span></b></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #00b0d4; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>and His name is Jesus!</i></b></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What or who are
you striving after or worshiping today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What
adjustments do you need to make in your life to make certain you are seeking
after God? Will you make them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What are you
doing to actively and purposefully seek God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Are you
studying the Word?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Are you praying
daily and throughout the day? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; 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: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">How is your
obedience level? Are you seeking to please Him by following His will for your
life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Remember this truth throughout your week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b></b></div>
<div _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: #00b0d4; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Seeking after my One Thing - Jehovah - satisfies my hungry soul.</b></span></b></div>
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<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" align="left" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: left;" align="left" style="text-align: left;">
Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-71930408439426302452014-02-19T07:24:00.003-08:002014-02-19T07:24:33.956-08:00February 18, 2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqVtrtkBCoY/UvZNIID4zvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/19q6kig_thc/s1600/1+Thing+graphic_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqVtrtkBCoY/UvZNIID4zvI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/19q6kig_thc/s1600/1+Thing+graphic_CC.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Psalm 27:4-5</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>ESV</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i><strong>One thing</strong> have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquirein his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>The Message</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>I</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>m asking God for one thing, only <b>one thing</b>: to live with him in his house my whole life long. I</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>ll contemplate his beauty; I</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>ll study at his feet. That</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, the perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>The Voice</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>I am pleading with the Eternal for this <b>one thing</b>, my soul</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>'</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" lang="FR" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>s desire:</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i> to live with Him all of my days</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>-</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i> in the shadow of His temple, to behold His beauty and ponder His ways</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i> </i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>in the company of His people. His house is my shelter and secret retreat. It is there I find peace in the midst of storm and turmoil. Safety sits with me in the hiding place of God. He will set me on a rock, high above the fray.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>____________________________________</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Several years ago my husband and I decided to take a vacation (without the kids). Being the planner that he is, he began asking me prior to our trip what I wanted to do. He wanted to know what tours I wanted to take, if I wanted to shop or sightsee or jet ski. I think my response kind of shocked him. I told him I wanted to do one thing and one thing only </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> relax! I told him I wanted to do the things that helped me gain refreshment and rest. I wanted to sleep as late as I wanted, eat whatever I wanted, lounge in the sun if I wanted, and read as much as I wanted. And there was one thing I wanted to do in order to truly de-stress </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">I wanted to enjoy a day at the spa where we were staying! That</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s right, a full day of nothing but pampering! So, I did! The results: rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and a restoration. Oh how I loved doing my One Thing!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 27:4 speaks of </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">One Thing,</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">and I think I know why the psalmist was so intent on </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">One Thing.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Just as life is complicated now and can pull us in all different directions, I</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">m sure it was complicated then, and David, the writer of this Psalm, wanted to focus on his one desire.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Let</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s take this verse apart over the next few weeks and glean a bit of truth from it that will help us all find refuge, refreshment, and renewal. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>One Thing </i></b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>...</i></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Why </b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>"</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>one thing?</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>"</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> First off, I think we need to remember that we can</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">t be "A.D.D."</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> with God. It</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s not spiritually healthy for us to run about, wearing ourselves out, constantly doing so many things that we forget to just abide in Him. (John 15) We need a focal point, a goal, a rallying point. Much like a woman in childbirth needs to train her mind to concentrate on a focal point in order to withstand the pain she</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s having to endure, so we need a focal point in order to withstand the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">fray and buzz of traffic</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">mentioned in the verses above. Our mind needs some training! (Romans 12:2)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">We need a different perspective. Why? Because the things that tend to draw our eyes draw us away from our </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">one thing</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">and weigh us down. Those things are giving us aching backs, tired shoulders, headaches<ins cite="mailto:iPad" datetime="2014-02-15T13:56">,</ins> and crow<ins cite="mailto:iPad" datetime="2014-02-15T13:56">'</ins>s feet! We need to exchange our tired and weary hearts and minds for joy, peace<ins cite="mailto:iPad" datetime="2014-02-15T13:57">,</ins> and strength. We need to exchange</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">those things</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" lang="DA" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">for </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">The One Thing</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;"> - the</span></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> Lord!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>I asked of the LORD </i></b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>...</i></b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Who is the psalmist asking?</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">We need to camp here for a few minutes because this is really significant. The psalmist isn</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">t just talking about any old </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">thing</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">here. He</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s not asking for just anyone</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s help. He</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s asking for the LORD</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s help (all caps in Scripture denotes a special name of God!).</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">The LORD is <i>Jehovah </i>or</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" lang="DE" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i> Yahweh</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">. Whenever you hear that name, your spirit should automatically rise up and your countenance should change. Just hearing the name Jehovah should give you a facelift! Why? Because <ins cite="mailto:iPad" datetime="2014-02-15T14:06">t</ins><del cite="mailto:iPad" datetime="2014-02-15T14:06">T</del>he LORD is the eternal, unchanging, self-existent, covenant-keeping God, who is and was and is to come. Jehovah is the holiest of names - so</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> holy that it wasn</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">t spoken except for once a year by the priest on the Day of Atonement.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">The LORD (Jehovah) is the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" lang="PT" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">I AM Who I Am" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">from Exodus 3:14. Remember that great and powerful God who promised He would bring the Israelites out of Eygpt with a strong hand? Well, He did! </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">If He calls Himself the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Great I Am,</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">then we can call Him the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Great He Is.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">So when I think of Jehovah, I automatically think </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">- "</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is, not He might be.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">s not the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Great maybe or possibly or probably.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">My friend Caryl gave me this illustration recently, and it has really helped me renew my mind about some things. She said this: </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What if when we think of a situation (good, bad, or indifferent), we put God in the middle of it. Would that make a difference?</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> I took what she said and pondered it for a bit. Yes, what if I put Jehovah in the midst of everything instead of my own solutions, thoughts, and</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">vain imaginings.</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What if I put Jehovah </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">the eternal, unchanging, self-existent, covenant-keeping God, who is and was and is to come </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">there. Would that change my perspective at all? YES, it does!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Rather than problem-solving or worrying or fretting, I can place Jehovah smack dab in the middle of my thing and exchange it for The One Thing! Do you know what happens when I do that? My joys and good moments become fabulous moments, and my difficulties become moments of opportunity for Jehovah to be the </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Great He Is!</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> Talk about a facelift!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Take a look at these names paired with Jehovah and see what it does for you </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">...</span></div>
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<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-jireh</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is My Provider</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-nissi</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is My Banner (my encouragement)</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-shalom</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is My Peace</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-shammah</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is There</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-sabaoth</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> He Is the Lord of Hosts (my great battler!)</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-raah</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is My Shepherd</span></li>
<li><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; font-variant: small-caps;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Jehovah-rapha</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">-</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">He Is My Healer</span></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Who does Jehovah need to be for you today?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What would your </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">thing</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">" </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">look like if you placed Jehovah in it?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Would your life be any different?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Would your countenance be changed?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Would that de-stress you any at all?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Here</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>'</b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>s a truth to ponder this week </b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>...</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>When my One Thing is the LORD (Jehovah), I can rest in the fact </b></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>that HE IS in all my other things.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Have a fabulous week!</span><br />
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Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-48338902758215971482014-02-10T11:09:00.001-08:002014-02-10T11:09:56.884-08:00February 10, 2014<table _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff; display: table;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="15" cellspacing="0" class="mceItemTable" id="textEdit" style="background-color: white; display: table; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<i><b>This past weekend I had the blessing of speaking at a women's retreat at Epworth By The Sea in St. Simons Island. I so enjoyed getting to know these wonderful women and exploring Psalm 27. We learned so many applicable lessons, and I wanted to share them with you. So for the next few weeks, we'll take time to explore "One Thing" and have a little "retreat" of our own.</b></i></div>
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<b>We'll begin with an overview of Psalm 27.</b></div>
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<b>Many of you who enjoy in-depth Bible study are familiar with the Inductive Bible Study Method. Some are less familiar with it. I want to walk you through a series of questions and help you explore this wonderful psalm. Here we go ...</b></div>
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<b>Observation: What does the passage say?</b></div>
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<b><i>Read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+27&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+27&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 27 </a>aloud.</i></b> </div>
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Read the psalm again in your Bible and circle all references to the LORD.</div>
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Make a list of the way the psalmist describes the LORD.</div>
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<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Salvation</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Stronghold</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Shelter (He hides me and keeps me safe)</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lifter of my head</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">God of my salvation</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Teacher</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Leaders</li>
<li _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif;" style="color: #00b0d4; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Good</li>
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List key words in the psalm.</div>
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My key words were: light, salvation, stronghold, seek, dwell, gaze, shelter, teach, lead</div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b>Interpretation: What does the passage mean?</b></div>
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In verse 3 the psalmist declares, "yet I will be confident." Why can he be confident?</div>
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<em> Because God is his light, his salvation and his stronghold</em></div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i><br /></i></div>
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What "One Thing" does David desire?</div>
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<em>To dwell in the house of the Lord</em></div>
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What does it mean to dwell with God?</div>
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<em>Stay, remain, abide, take up residency</em></div>
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Why does David want to do this? (v. 5)</div>
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<em>Because he knows God will hide him in his shelter and set him high on a rock</em></div>
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<b><i>Read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A5&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A5&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 27:5</a> with <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91%3A1&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91%3A1&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 91:1</a>.</i></b></div>
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What words stand out to you in these two verses?</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #00b0d4;" style="color: #00b0d4;"><em>Hide, shelter, conceal, under the cover of his tent, rest, shadow, Almighty</em></span> </div>
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What comforts you or brings your confidence in these verses?</div>
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<em>God is going to be a refuge to me. He will keep me safe, give me rest, and keep me away from danger. He will hide me.</em></div>
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<b><i>Now read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A3&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A3&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Colossians 3:3</a>.</i></b> </div>
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What does this verse tell us regarding Jesus Christ?</div>
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<em>My life is hidden in Christ - I am in Him.</em></div>
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Does that bring you comfort and confidence?</div>
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<em>Yes!</em></div>
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Verses 7-14 shift from a confident declaration to a cry for help.</div>
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List words or phrases from the text that describe David's plea. (What is he asking the LORD to do?)</div>
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Hear my cry for help</div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i>Listen to me</i></div>
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Cast me not off</div>
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Give me not up to my adversaries</div>
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Seek my face</div>
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Goodness of the Lord</div>
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Wait for the Lord</div>
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<b>Application: How can I apply this passage to my life?</b></div>
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(You'll answer these completely on your own)</div>
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Summarize this psalm in your own words.</div>
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What did you learn about God in this psalm?</div>
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What did you learn about the psalmist?</div>
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David began Psalm 27 with confident assurance and then his mood shifted to a cry for help. Does your mood ever shift like that?</div>
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What causes your mood to shift?</div>
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What do you do when your mood shifts?</div>
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In verses 13-14 David's mood shifts back to confidence in the goodness of the LORD. What advice does David give us in verse 14 that will help us when our mood shifts from confident trust to need?</div>
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What do you think dwelling in God's presence has to do with having the confident assurance of God's provision?</div>
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What "One Thing" is on your heart this week that you need God to speak into or act upon?</div>
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Pray and ask the Lord to give you confidence in Him as a refuge from your One Thing. Remember how powerful a protector He is. Remember that He is Jehovah - Sabaoth - the Lord of Hosts. He is the commander (Lord) of the armies and all hosts. He is our great battler. When we are at the end of our rope, He is there. He fights for us, protects us. He is there in times of trouble! Wait for the Lord of Hosts; be strong and of good courage and wait for Him!</div>
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Have you heard this saying: "God is rarely early, but He is never late"? When time has run out ... when your resources are gone and you have no hope - there is hope! Jehovah-Sabaoth will come and fight for you.</div>
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This past month has been frustrating. We had an issue with insurance we had to deal with for 30 days. Basically, we nearly lost our health insurance, and we were at the end of our rope and the end of our deadline. Can I just tell you how Jehovah-Sabaoth fought for us?</div>
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First of all, He provided free medication that would have cost over $600 without insurance. He provided it on the very day it was needed and with a coupon that was to expire the very next day. Second, a form that was needed to fix the problem never came. What? How was that helpful you might ask? It was helpful because somehow Jehovah-Sabaoth turned the hearts of those in charge at the insurance company who fixed the problem without the form! Jehovah-Sabaoth - the great battler ... amazing!</div>
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You know what kept me from pulling my hair out in the process of all of this? I did what Psalm 142:1-2 gives me permission to do: I cried out to the Lord. I just kept saying, "Jesus, you know what we need. We have no control over this, and we need Your help. I am frustrated and irritated and I don't know what to do. Please help us. Fix this for us!" That's the One Thing I could do.</div>
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God wants One Thing from us - dependency. That's it. He just wants us to hold up our hands to Him, crawl in His lap, and just <i>be</i>. Why is that One Thing so difficult?</div>
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Meditate on that thought this week, and next week we'll begin unpacking Psalm 27:4.</div>
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Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-38000844878210976742014-02-03T05:39:00.000-08:002014-02-03T05:39:16.902-08:00February 3, 2014 - Holes in Your Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCvfrgeVxcs/Uuwg9Ai96UI/AAAAAAAAAI8/J-JYP6MK4dU/s1600/Holes+in+Your+Faith+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCvfrgeVxcs/Uuwg9Ai96UI/AAAAAAAAAI8/J-JYP6MK4dU/s1600/Holes+in+Your+Faith+.jpg" height="95" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. </em></div>
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<em>Hebrews 11:1</em></div>
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Does your faith have holes? Where in the world would I come up with an idea like that, you might say? Read on and you'll find out. (God speaks to me in most unusual ways sometimes!)</div>
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The other day I was writing in a journal that my sweet friend Vicki gave me. As I closed the journal, I noticed the pattern of holes in it. It's really an interesting design - brown leather with various sizes of holes punched in vertical lines all over the front cover. Through the holes you see a bright pink suede-like fabric. As I stared at it, thinking about how clever the designer was, it caused me to think about my faith and how often I discover "holes" there. That is, places where I just don't believe.</div>
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So many times, I do have strong faith, but other times I just have holes or even gigantic gaps in my faith. I'm dealing with one of those now, as a matter of fact. I get frustrated with myself as I want to be "sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). Unfortunately, in those really hard things, I want to see the plan (or even come up with it myself and let God know the plan), sign off on the plan and make sure the plan is completed in my timing in order to "believe," and well...that's just not faith! Sound familiar?</div>
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Faith is confidence that God not only can but will. It's trusting in God's plan, not our own. It's surrendering control to the One who really is in control. Faith is believing that even if God doesn't do it the way you see fit, it's for the good of the Kingdom and for His glory. Whew, that is really tough stuff!</div>
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Just like the holes in my journal bring about a really interesting pattern of pink dots, so the holes in my faith paint a beautiful tapestry of God and His loving kindness to me. Every time He lovingly plugs one of those holes in my faith, He shows me I can trust Him in that difficult circumstance. Sometimes He does this through His Word that speaks directly to me in a moment when my faith is weak. Other times He uses a friend or pastor to reassure me of His promises. He also speaks to me with that still, small voice as I pray and confess my doubts and fears to Him.</div>
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Let's be grateful for the holes in our faith. "Why?" you might say. Because in recognizing them, we see that God is at work in us. The truth is that growing in our faith is a process, but our faith builder is FAITHFUL.</div>
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<b>Verses to help fill the holes in your faith</b><b>...</b></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">... Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. <span _mce_style="color: #660066;" style="color: #660066;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%204:6&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%204:6&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Zechariah 4:6</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." <span _mce_style="color: #660066;" style="color: #660066;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19:26&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19:26&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Matthew 19:26</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. <span _mce_style="color: #660066;" style="color: #660066;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:5-6&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:5-6&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">... I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!<span _mce_style="color: #660066; text-decoration: underline;" style="color: #660066; text-decoration: underline;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A23-24&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #007da1; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A23-24&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 125, 161) !important; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Mark 9:23-24</a></span></li>
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<b>Questions to consider ...</b></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Where are the holes in your faith?</li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will you ask God to fill them with His Word so you can trust Him more fully?</li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will you commit to take the verse He gives you and recite it to yourself each time you begin to doubt?</li>
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Have a faith-filled week!</div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </span></div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-43590524946119086262014-01-30T08:02:00.003-08:002014-01-30T08:03:05.205-08:00January 27, 2014 - God's Ultimate Power Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. </i></div>
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<i>Philippians 3:10</i></div>
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This is one of my favorite verses. It's so rich and full of truth. Not long ago this passage began to weigh heavily on my heart. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I thought about it over and over. God does this to me when He wants to instill a new truth in my heart or take me to a new level of understanding. Sometimes, in fact, He literally "wears me out" and "hounds" me with the Word until I get desperate, almost to the point of obsessing over it. That is where I was with this passage a few months ago.</div>
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Let's start at the beginning. I want to know Christ ... what does that mean? It is certainly NOT a head knowledge of our Lord Jesus, but rather a deep, intimate heart knowledge of Him ... an intimate knowing, believing and understanding of Him. Part of that knowing Him is found in understanding the power of His resurrection. Let's park here for a moment. The power of His resurrection - I really want to know how to tap into that. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 1:19 that this resurrection power is available to us as believers. So ... if I have this power available to me (in fact, it is actually living in me through the Holy Spirit), why can't I use this power to its fullest potential all the time? I mean, I <i>do</i> have it. I know that it's there, and I use it sometimes, but how do I make it a "way of life" for me on a deeper level?</div>
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Let's apply this to a common struggle. There are times in my life when I struggle with a lack of patience. Sometimes I have a short fuse. I also have three beautiful children (who are indeed children and do things that most children do!). At times I am easily angered and frequently become irritated with them because they are not "cooperating" and doing as I want them to (can you relate?). My question then is this: If I have this resurrection power within me, how can I control my temper and lack of patience (as Christ would) using this awesome <b>power tool</b> that God has given me?</div>
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I believe the answer is in the next phrase of this passage - the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death ... I must surrender. I must die to my self and what I want. I must so share in Christ's actual death that there is nothing left of me except that which Jesus Christ sees fit to keep ... and He probably won't keep much!</div>
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So, practically speaking, what does that look like, and how do I attain it? How do I live that out? I certainly can't do it on my own - it's too hard. I have habits and tendencies and behaviors that I have nursed for over 40 years, and it will take much relearning and retraining on my part and on the part of Jesus to "undo" that which is so ingrained.</div>
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The first step, though, is surrender. I have to hold up the white flag and say to the Lord, "I give up! I can't do this!" There is nothing in me that can make this happen. "Crucify me, Lord!" Literally, kill my ugly flesh and make me beautiful like you. Take my impatience and my irritation and my selfishness and my harsh tone and my yelling and kill it all NOW in the mighty name of Jesus. Kill it! Bury it, and don't allow me or Satan to dig it up again. And every time I feel this sin (because that is what it is-sin) rising up in me like a pot boiling over, remind me of this verse: <i>"I am crucified with Christ, therefore, I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." </i>(Galatians 2:20)</div>
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Okay, I know what you're thinking ... "but what CAN I do besides quote Scripture and die to self?" The most important thing you and I can do is pray! A sin or stronghold like this can be overcome only through submitting to God through prayer. Prayer<i>less</i>ness is an indication of pride (we think we can do it on our own!). Prayer<i>ful</i>ness will indicate the opposite - I can't do this on my own, and I need Your help, God!</div>
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I will slip up, I will fail (I'm human) but little by little, day by day, my precious Lord Jesus will change me into His glorious likeness. It will hurt. I will struggle. It will strip away pride and other ugly sins, but it will ultimately make me a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter, a better friend, a better example for His Kingdom ... and it will make me a more radiant bride fit for my King, Jesus.</div>
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Let's recap the steps to living in resurrection power:</div>
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<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Know Christ - and in knowing Him we must share in His suffering and death</li>
<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">With that knowing comes surrender - I must die to self</li>
<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Claim a specific verse that you will deliberately recall each time you begin to fail (plaster this verse all over your house, in your car, at work - everywhere!)</li>
<li _mce_style="color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Pray, pray, pray!</li>
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In all of this, believe what God's Word says when you are tempted to give up this hard task: <i>"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." </i>When we are weak, He is strong. When we are surrendered, He is in control. Our hands are up. They are not trying to fix or do; they are raised in true acknowledgment that God and God alone is in control. This picture of submission shows our realization that God is working and is fully capable of handling us on his own. Resurrection power is attainable through surrender. Don't simply be </div>
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<i>self</i>-controlled; be <b><i>God</i></b>-controlled! That, my sister, IS the "ultimate power tool!"</div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </span></div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-80125061846851678812014-01-23T06:05:00.003-08:002014-01-30T07:56:08.232-08:00January 20, 2014 - Thinking Outside of the Box <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord </i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>establishes his steps.</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 16:9</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">A few years ago my mom and I went on a trip to New York City. The plan was to drive to Atlanta the night before our plane was to leave, spend the night, and fly out early the next morning. When we arrived in Atlanta, my mom realized she didn't have her driver's license. As you know, without proper identification you can't fly. So we quickly called my very sweet husband, Alex, and he decided it best to bring her license to us at our hotel in Atlanta late that night.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">All night long my mom kept beating herself up about it. She kept saying how ridiculous it was that she left it and how irresponsible she was. Over and over I continued to tell her to let it go, but she just wouldn't. Meanwhile, Alex secured a babysitter for our three children, picked up my step-dad, Jim, and began the quick trip to Atlanta. All the while, my mom continued to be mad at herself for the mishap! </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Finally she said these words to me, "I know that God is in control and everything happens for a reason, for our good and His glory, but how could making Alex and Jim drive all the way to Atlanta be a "good thing"? As she said those words, a thought popped into my head. "Maybe it's not all about us." I told her, "Maybe this little incident has absolutely nothing to do with our family. Maybe we need to think 'outside the box' for a moment." </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">She looked at me rather perplexed and asked me to explain. "You see, most of the time we are such self-focused creatures, and we don't see the big picture," I told her. "Maybe this mishap was for someone else's good. Maybe our babysitter, Kayla, needed to be at our house that night watching the children rather than somewhere else where she could have been in harm's way. Maybe the guy in the lobby at the hotel needed to hear Jim witness to him about the Lord (which he did!). </span></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Maybe </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">... </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">life isn</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">'</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">t all about us, and we need to get outside of our little boxes and look beyond ourselves. </span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Maybe </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">...</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">we need to remember that we only see down the street, but God sees around the corner!</span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Maybe </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">... </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">rather than asking, </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Why me?</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">or </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Why is this happening?</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">we should be saying, </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Use this to bring You glory, Lord!</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">So from now on, as you go about your day-to-day activities and those unforeseen events occur, think outside the box and keep in mind that your current situation might have absolutely nothing to do with you. If you let Him, God may use you in His grand plan for the world. And that not only blesses you, but it brings Him lots and lots of glory!</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Take a look at the following verses and praise God today for His sovereign care over us!</span></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A9&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #23bfd5; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A9&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(35, 191, 213) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Proverbs 16:9</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+14%3A27&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #23bfd5; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+14%3A27&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(35, 191, 213) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Isaiah 14:27</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+46%3A9-10&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #23bfd5; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+46%3A9-10&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(35, 191, 213) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Isaiah 46:9-10</a></span></li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Times-New-Roman; color: black; text-align: left; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="color: black; font-family: Times-New-Roman; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10+&version=NIV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: #23bfd5; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10+&version=NIV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(35, 191, 213) !important; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Ephesians 2:10 </a></li>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen</i></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">. Ephesians 3:20-21</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jacqueline Heider is the Director of Women's Ministry, </span></div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-13662879206643582542014-01-17T07:16:00.003-08:002014-01-17T07:16:46.127-08:00January 13, 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong><strong><br /></strong></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong><strong><span style="color: #222222;">Click </span><span class="asset asset-generic at-xid-6a013487ec51ea970c019b04e50bda970d img-responsive"><a href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/files/wonderfilled_bible-study-week-6_edited.pdf"><span style="color: #45818e;">here</span></a></span></strong></strong></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: helvetica;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: helvetica;"><strong>to print out study this week </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>or continue reading below.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong><span style="color: #222222;">Read </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:21-38&version=ESV" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: #45818e;">Luke 2:21-38</span></a><span style="color: #40a0ff;">.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">How do you feel about waiting? It seems to me that the characters in this portion of Scripture did a lot of that. Today we'll meet two important people in the story and life of Christ. Each of them is mentioned only in this passage, but the magnitude of their testimonies for Jesus is far greater than a few sentences on a page. Let's take a look at who they were and how they waited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Simeon: The Wonder of the Spirit</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">In verses 25-35 we meet Simeon. Scripture describes him this way:</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Righteous and devout (v. 25)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Waiting on the consolation of Israel (v. 25) (That means he was waiting for Israel to be restored through the Messiah as was prophesied in the Old Testament)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit was upon him (v. 25)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Christ (v. 26)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He was led to the temple at the time of Jesus'coming by the Holy Spirit (v. 27)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He held Jesus in his arms and said a blessing over Him, describing His life and death and the role Jesus would play in bringing salvation and peace to the Jews and Gentiles (vv. 28-32)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He blessed Mary and Joseph (v. 34)</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Simeon was waiting. He was waiting ... for the restoration of Israel that had been prophesied in the Old Testament. He was waiting ... for Jesus, the Messiah, the One who could bring peace and hope to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Simeon was waiting, but here's another question to ponder: <em>How</em> was he waiting? Was he anxious as he waited? Did he go off and try to find what he was waiting for on his own? Did he get sidetracked or distracted by his circumstances as he waited? Did he get stressed out as he waited, thinking he must have misheard what had been spoken to him about seeing the Christ before his death?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nothing in this passage indicates any of those things. From what we know, Simeon waited in hope by seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, by being attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading, and by being directed by the Spirit as he prayed a blessing over the Christ-child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Let's take a look at another prophet in this story, or should I say, <em>prophetess</em>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Anna: The Wonder of Worship</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong><span style="color: #222222;">Read </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:36-38&version=ESV" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: #45818e;">Luke 2:36-38</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Though only mentioned for three verses, we learn a great deal about Anna. Here's what we learn:</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She was a prophetess. This means she was a woman God used to speak a message. She gave out the Word of God. She was, in essence, a spokesman for God. (v. 36)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Daughter of Phanuel from the Tribe of Asher (v. 36)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She was a widow and advanced in years (84 years old) (v. 37)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She stayed at the temple worshiping, praying, and fasting, night and day (v. 37)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Came through the temple court at the exact time Jesus was there to be presented (v. 38)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and testified about Him (v. 38)</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I did a bit of research on Anna because I really love her! I mean, for all intents and purposes, she was in Women's Ministry! We know she worshiped, prayed, and fasted in the temple, so she was a devout woman of God. I found that as a widow these things would have been typical ministries for women in her time. I don't know this, but I would imagine she probably encouraged a lot of women along the way. She was bound to have encountered women on a daily basis in her comings and goings to and from the temple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">As Anna waited in hope for the redemption of Jerusalem, she spent her days in the abiding presence of the Father. She made the most of her time. She did some very practical things as she waited - worship, prayer, and fasting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anna's name means "grace," which is appropriate, as her purpose in life for over 60 years (this is the length of time she spent ministering in temple after her husband died) was to pray and wait for the One who would, through grace, usher in redemption for the world. (Research on Anna is from: <em>Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary</em>. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers 2003.)</span></div>
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<strong style="font-family: helvetica;">God: The Wonder of His Timing</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also love God's timing in all of this! God is over time. He is the author of time and the keeper of time. And in His perfect timing He placed Simeon and Anna in the exact place they needed to be, in the exact moment they needed to be there in order to have an encounter with the long-awaited Messiah! If that doesn't fill you with wonder, awe, and amazement, I don't know what will!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Now let's take this idea of waiting and apply it to our own lives for a moment.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Waiting in Wonder</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">How do you respond when waiting ...</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In a long line at the grocery store when you're in a hurry?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For test results to come back from the doctor's office?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Through a long-term illness or some other kind of suffering?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For a prayer to be answered?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For a loved one to be saved?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the arrival of a baby?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For a job interview?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For that long-anticipated vacation time to arrive? </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Part of what diminishes our wonder is waiting. Because we spend much of our lives waiting, we often get more consumed by the waiting than by the One who controls that which we are waiting for - time, health, circumstances, answers to prayers, salvation, births, our welfare, and even times of fun and relaxation.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Shouldn't we make our waiting purposeful and filled with wonder? Shouldn't we spend our time waiting wisely, abiding in Jesus' presence? I'm not suggesting that many times the things we are waiting for are not difficult struggles that cause us pain, heartache, and sorrow. I know from experience what this type of waiting is like. What I am suggesting (also from personal experience) is that waiting can become a vessel that transports us into the abiding presence of God.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Here's that list again with ways to <em>Wait in Wonder</em>:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">These suggestions are very practical and may seem odd, but I think you will find that they call you to a place of worship and ministry, just as the waiting did for Anna.</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting in a long line at the grocery store when you're in a hurry ...<em> </em></span></li>
<ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by meditating on a verse or praying for the person in front of you.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by talking to the person in front or behind you and offering some encouragement to them.</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for test results to come back from the doctor's office ...<em> </em></span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by doing something kind for someone else who needs to have their spirits lifted.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting through a long-term illness or some other kind of suffering ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <em>Wait in Wonder </em>by focusing your thoughts on Jesus in the midst of your pain.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder </em>by writing an encouraging note or sending a card to someone who is struggling.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for a prayer to be answered ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by calling a friend each day and praying with her over the phone about a need she has and asking her to pray for your prayer need.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for a loved one to be saved ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wait in wonder by going on a mission trip or praying for missionaries around the world who are being persecuted for sharing their faith.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for the arrival of a baby or some other joyfully anticipated event ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by volunteering, setting aside one hour each day to specifically pray for the joyful occasion, or by memorizing a long passage of Scripture such as Psalm 139 or 40.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for a job interview ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by displaying one random act of kindness each day.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When waiting for that long-anticipated vacation time to arrive ...</span><ul style="list-style: disc outside none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px;">
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by completing the current tasks you have committed to with excellence.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>Wait in Wonder</em> by blessing someone else with a surprise day of pampering or relaxation.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: helvetica;">All of these "waiting in wonder" ideas move our focus from self to God and others. This helps us capture the wonder and remain in the abiding presence of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Oh, how I have loved capturing the wonder with you during the Christmas season (and beyond!). Thank you for spending these six weeks with me. I pray that your year is filled with the joy, hope, and peace that comes only from the wonder and awe found in worshiping our wonderful Counselor, mighty God, ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Once more I'm going to ask you the same question I did on the video as we end our Wonder-Filled study </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">together ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Do you desire the sweet and delightful life found in Jesus' abiding presence? In the midst of all of life - the good times, the difficult times, the happy and sad times, in times filled with uncertainty and longing, in times of grief and despair, or in complete fulfillment and joy - is your desire to know and experience the sweet pleasantness of Jesus' presence and be completely Wonder-Filled? If so, my friend, I encourage you to continue capturing the wonder every day by spending "Wonder-Filled" time with Him!</strong></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-46372248451551539652014-01-05T21:16:00.002-08:002014-01-17T07:19:46.805-08:00January 6, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><strong>Click <span class="asset asset-generic at-xid-6a013487ec51ea970c01a5106cd733970c" style="color: #00bfbf;"><a href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/files/wonderfilled_bible-study-week-5_bible-study.pdf" style="color: #00bfbf;">here</a> </span></strong></strong></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">to print out study this week </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">or continue reading below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Once again, cozy up by the fire, grab a cup of hot cocoa, remember your beautiful tree that used to be housed in that empty-looking corner now, and let’s begin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Read <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:1-12&version=ESV" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Matthew 2:1-12</a>.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">The story of the Wise Men is more than a fanciful tradition of three kings visiting the baby Jesus. This account is one filled with deep spiritual truths that can serve as a catalyst to keep us filled with awe and worship throughout our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">First of all, for the sake of being correct, we don’t really know how many Wise Men actually made the trip in search of the newborn king, nor do we know the exact timing of it all. What we<em>do</em> know is that they did come, and when they did, they came with Wonder-Filled hearts ready for worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:1-2&version=ESV" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Matthew 2:1-2</a> - A Wonder-Filled heart anticipates Jesus. </strong></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">“For we saw his star ...” This tells me that they must have been looking for it and anticipating its coming. And they must have known that the star represented the coming of the king of the Jews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">These men were wise, indeed. They were longing for this star. They gazed at the heavens expectantly. They were looking for and anticipating Jesus.</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Do you long for a glimpse of Jesus in your daily life?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Do you anticipate His arrival in all of your situations?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">The Wise Men did anticipate His arrival ... and guess what? They found Him, and we can too! As we go about our day-to-day activities, we can and should anticipate His coming. Rather than living in doubt, fear, and negativity, we can make the wise choice and decide to look for His coming in our situation. This fills us with hope and gives us a strong basis for belief and trust in God’s good and loving provision in any situation.</span></div>
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<strong style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:9-10&version=ESV" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Matthew 2:9-10</a> - A Wonder-Filled heart rejoices with Jesus.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">When these Wise Men saw that the star came to rest where Jesus was, they were filled with exceeding joy! They weren’t rejoicing in the star or in the situation, they were rejoicing in Jesus and His awesome presence! They had found the King they had been searching for! They were in His presence and there was fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">You and I don’t have to follow a star in search of Jesus. As His daughters, we have complete access to His presence daily because His Spirit dwells in us. We should go around shining like bright stars, illuminating a lost and dying world! When others are in our presence, they should sense God’s presence and as a result, they should rejoice with exceedingly great joy (not because of us, but because of Jesus’ presence alive in us!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">We aren’t joy-seekers; we are ambassadors of joy. We are likened to the star because we point others to the great joy found only in Jesus’ presence.</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Have you ever thought of yourself as a star? Do you point others to Jesus?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Does this bring you great joy?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">How does this knowledge affect your demeanor and countenance? </span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Are you so filled with wonder that joy overflows in you? If not, why not?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:11a&version=ESV" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Matthew 2:11a</a> - A Wonder-Filled heart worships Jesus.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">“... and they fell down and worshiped him.” I love that statement. The Wise Men had traveled so long and far. Yet when they saw Jesus, they didn’t come to Him complaining about how difficult their journey had been. They didn’t ask Him to heal their tired and aching bones. They didn’t ask for a chair or a drink or some food. They fell to their knees and worshiped Him.</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">What is your response when you come to Jesus?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">He desires that we come to Him with our troubles, but shouldn’t our initial response to Him always be worship?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:11b-12&version=ESV" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Matthew 2:11b-12</a> - A Wonder-Filled heart gives its treasures to Jesus.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">“... they offered him gold and frankincense and myrrh.” The Wise Men brought Jesus treasures. Because of His righteousness, they wanted to honor Him. We too want to honor Jesus by bringing our treasures to Him. We do this by offering Him all that we have - ourselves. Romans 12:1 reminds us that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to Him. What do you most treasure? Is it your time, your abilities, your obedience, your will, your belief, hopes, dreams? These are all “treasures” to us because they are personal and cost us something of ourselves.</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Is there some particular “treasure” the Spirit is prompting you to give?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 5px 10px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Will you offer it to Jesus and stand amazed in wonder as He receives your treasure and uses it for His glory?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">The Magi were certainly wise in their ways. Their story offers us many truths and helps us become wise, wonder-filled women who love and worship the baby Jesus from the manger, to the cross, and for all eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">PS - Don’t forget your Wonder-Filled challenge this week. Remember to set aside 3-5 minutes every day to just worship. Sing a praise song, shout out words of praise and adoration, read Scripture back to God, speak the attributes or names of God aloud. Worship God each day in some way and see if it makes you wonder-filled. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and blessed by this simple exercise of intentional worship. Have a wonder-filled week! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-55677017256151562882014-01-01T21:18:00.000-08:002014-01-17T07:24:10.038-08:00December 30, 2013<br />
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Click <span class="asset asset-generic at-xid-6a013487ec51ea970c01a3fb4cbe80970b"><a data-mce-href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/files/wonderfilled_bible-study-week-4_bible-study.pdf" data-mce-style="color: #00bfbf;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/files/wonderfilled_bible-study-week-4_bible-study.pdf" style="color: #00bfbf;">here</a> </span></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">to print out study this week </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">or continue reading below.</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></strong></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Read <a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2KzIZ96OfLjsIX1B8AGEiquVhi-QVrMEjPInx16Xy5Pal" data-mce-style="color: #00bfbf;" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2KzIZ96OfLjsIX1B8AGEiquVhi-QVrMEjPInx16Xy5Pal" shape="rect" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Luke 2:8-15</a>.</strong></span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">"Let us go over to Bethlehem ..." (verse 15). I was completely struck by that phrase. After the magnificent appearing and message from the angels, the shepherds wasted no time. They didn't question what they saw. They didn't run away, hide, or become paralyzed with fear. They simply said, "Let's go." <em>Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.</em> Luke 2:15</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">The shepherds were eager. They had a willingness and zeal to see, know, and understand the truth of Jesus and His birth.</span><br />
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<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you have an eagerness to know and understand the truths about God and His work in His Kingdom, in your life, and in the lives of those you love?</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">That's part of being "wonder-filled." It's having a keen desire to see, know, and understand the ways and truths of God. That means that when something new or unexpected happens in life, instead of running away, hiding, or becoming paralyzed with fear, our response is instead, "Let us go and see this thing ...." That's how we can become "wonder-filled" and stay "wonder-filled." We can look at things with eyes of hope, not fear or dread. We can rest in God's unfailing love, and we can rejoice because we trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">There's something else in verse 15 that caused me to stop and consider its meaning and implication. "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which<strong>the Lord</strong> <strong>has made known to us</strong>.</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">They got it! First of all, this revelation came from the Lord. The Lord (<em>kyrios</em>), the supreme God of the Universe, the One in complete authority, made this news known to them. They knew this revelation was <strong>important</strong> because it came from God. They knew this revelation could be <strong>trusted</strong>because it came from God. And they knew they must<strong>respond </strong>to this revelation because it came from God.</span><br />
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<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">What about you? When you receive a Word from the Lord, do you deem it as important?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you trust it because of its origin?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you rightly respond to it?</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">This verse is "filled" with a wonderful surprise (just like those pastries I mentioned earlier!). There is a magnificent truth here.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>That truth is this</strong>: When we receive a revelation from God (good or bad), our response should be, "Let us go and see." We should eagerly "go forward" with joy and anticipation, expecting the Lord (<em>kyrios</em>) to work in and through it for His glory.</span><br />
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<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">What has been made known to you recently?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Does it fill you with fear or dread?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">What was your response?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Can you turn your response from fear and dread to awe and wonder?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Can you say, "Let us go ..."?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Can you eagerly go to God anticipating His glory in your situation?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Can you be "wonder-filled" in the midst of the bad as well as the good?</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Read <a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2KwVeRIno9Vadq0sxZYqgowsORQl6D3mqLZHqUkvJ10CZ" data-mce-style="color: #00bfbf;" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2KwVeRIno9Vadq0sxZYqgowsORQl6D3mqLZHqUkvJ10CZ" shape="rect" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Luke 2:15-18</a>.</strong></span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Verse 17 says, "They (the shepherds) made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child." That means they testified to what had been revealed to them. And what was the result? Verse 18 says, "And all who heard it wondered ...." Those who heard what the shepherds said marveled at the revelation. They were "wonder-filled" because of the shepherds' revelation about Jesus.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">How remarkable! These verses are filled with a wonderful surprise as well.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>The truth here</strong> is that when we testify about the revelations we have been given, our testimony creates wonder in the lives of others. Those around us begin to marvel at God, and this brings Him great glory.</span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>Read <a data-mce-href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2K16LQZcZ_3R7bNnzFeKryhcDfL0otL9w59XdiXrBG6HX" data-mce-style="color: #00bfbf;" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001CeO5vtFOOefTn0VybgtN6TPuR21N1Lk0oVRUnk7CJY2r52a5DtZkc1DguQ4ZUGl8YDF2zTeFEbnyaAhB0f_BVWGiCLgM6PaSEM0pjLGLXsCeMAqAWgzoWoBrmKjE3oTEnEui1-ogvRWGv_GIg6X2K16LQZcZ_3R7bNnzFeKryhcDfL0otL9w59XdiXrBG6HX" shape="rect" style="color: #00bfbf;" target="_blank">Luke 2:19-21</a>.</strong></span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Mary, Jesus' precious mother, treasured and pondered all she saw and heard. The word for <em>pondered</em> in verse 19 means <em>to come together, to consider, </em>or<em> to discuss</em>. I wonder if the shepherds gave Mary further understanding of what had transpired. She was so very young. Perhaps their testimony gave her further knowledge of what the Lord had done and would do in the life of her son, Jesus.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Those shepherds were certainly used of God. They were filled with wonder, and they helped others capture the wonder as well.</span><br />
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<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Can that be said of you?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you cause others to treasure and ponder the things of God?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Are you so "wonder-filled" that others can't help but capture the wonder just from being around you?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you know someone who needs to know about Christ so they can begin their journey to becoming "wonder-filled?"</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">I pray you ponder these thoughts in your heart this week as we approach a new year. We don't know what the year will be filled with. It could be bursting with wonderful surprises or packed with shocking uncertainties. But we can be filled with wonder through it all because Jesus can and will fulfill everything.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">My precious friend Donna blessed me with a gift this year. It's a wall hanger that says this: </span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"><em>When nothing is certain, everything is possible.</em></span></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">That fills me with wonder because it fills me with hope ... hope for the future and hope for a lifetime! Even in the uncertainties of life, we can marvel and say, "Let us go ...."</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Won't you go forward with God this year, filled with awe and wonder? Let us go together!</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: helvetica;" style="font-family: helvetica;">Wishing you a blessed and happy new year filled with wonder!</span></div>
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Jacqueline is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-19633690552603805092013-12-22T19:02:00.004-08:002014-01-17T07:25:43.529-08:00December 23, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Wonderfilled Week 3</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Click </span><span class="asset" style="color: #00b0d4;"><a data-mce-href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/files/wonderfilled_bible-study-week-3_edited.pdf" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwipkLpme9KTG0eWiZvua1gwRcm_hOQtxnqVEGOp7wIMBPMefBbPODdWP812YZfEg5ciaRNNhMjJBvKyygu0-o7kx4BuEwyelrDy5rdJqlqA5ObjpeRL97iS" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> to print out study this week </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><strong>or continue reading below.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Again, cozy up by the fire, light the tree, make yourself a warm cup of hot tea, grab a Christmas cookie, your Bible and a pen, and savor a few moments of wonder today ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwj44UAn5St4lvWOGjK1Cvocy4n6jk-vt-3FrKJpxHvIwOLlkndyyMLQkbY1yfOACd-wzw9xoGf0q3Q74H2dXiRn27K1-znMND3jfNOtn8RNqg==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 2:1-7</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Where were Mary and Joseph living before the birth of Jesus?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Where was Jesus born?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Why were they there?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwj44UAn5St4lvWOGjK1Cvocy4n6jk-vt-3FrKJpxHvIwOLlkndyyMLQV26SG-rzuF3lPzVqvEeTeuUfDesVaAyQMKHIs6te3tUMcGw2lTLVBQ==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Micah 5:2</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Where was Jesus prophesied to be born?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Isn't God amazing? At the exact time of Jesus' birth, God arranged for a census and everyone had to go to their hometown. Coincidence? I don't think so! God planned and purposed this from the beginning, and He orchestrated every moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">How have you seen God's sovereign hand at work in your life this past year?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Aren't you thankful He goes before you and plans your way?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">One of the names of Jesus is "</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">The Good Shepherd.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">" Part of His character is to lead and guide His people (His flock). <b>Take a moment to read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwj44UAn5St4lvWOGjK1Cvocy4n6jk-vt-3FrKJpxHvIwOLlkndyyMLQYlkF8L12AoXaKaO-ZmRP8G5xlfRI7vtZvaSvJV0G1RrOHZE_Vg5o4A==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 23</a></b>. It paints a beautiful portrait of our Shepherd's love, plan, and care for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwj44UAn5St4lvWOGjK1Cvocy4n6jk-vt-3FrKJpxHvIwOLlkndyyMLQkbY1yfOACd-wzw9xoGf0q1xvcDx-WL6kwjnYfJAA5svR3TiETyUjHVm_Gw7pcas7" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 2:8-14</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">I've really never thought about this much, but isn't it interesting that the shepherds received word of Jesus' birth in such an awesome way? And to all accounts, they were the first to know about it. I wonder if God chose to reveal this Good News to the shepherds because He knew His Son would be our Good Shepherd, the One who leads and guides His sheep?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">I do know this: The multitude of heavenly hosts would have been a spectacular sight to the eyes and a beautiful sound to the ears. Don't you love the song they sang?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><em>Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! </em></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">(Some translations say, "peace goodwill among men.")</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Are you singing that song today, my friend? Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Take a moment and sing this great carol. Give praise to God for His most wonder-filled gift!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Angels We Have Heard on High</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Traditional French Carol, translated to English by James Chadwick, 1862</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Angels we have heard on high </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Sweetly singing o'er the plains, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">And the mountains in reply </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Echoing their joyous strains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Refrain:</i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Gloria, in excelsis Deo!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Gloria, in excelsis Deo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Shepherds, why this jubilee? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Why your joyous strains prolong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">What the gladsome tidings be </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Which inspire your heav'nly song?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Come to Bethlehem and see </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Christ Whose birth the angels sing; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Come, adore on bended knee, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Christ the Lord, the newborn King.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">See Him in a manger laid, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Whom the choirs of angels praise;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">While our hearts in love we raise.</span></div>
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<strong>Merry Christmas, my friend ... </strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;">P.S. - How's your Wonder Tree? Are you thinking of all the wonders of God you can add to it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11pt;"><b>For further reading this week, take a look back at John's birth in Luke 1:57-80. What joy and praise filled Zechariah?</b></span></div>
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Jacqueline is the Director of Women's Ministry, </div>
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Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. </div>
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Visit her <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VXcEUdC4kHsvssmxX6sTWo2yXiDkOVfrdiewDtjrx6ea41kkoqRZ4vkdDQMVqPwI7KaG82wLRwipkLpme9KTG0eWiZvua1gwRcm_hOQtxnpstCoHWUwyZg==" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-63666483200837799152013-12-21T21:53:00.000-08:002014-01-17T07:28:17.492-08:00December 16, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>After watching the video, continue your study of Mary this week here. </strong><strong _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">I have broken the study up into short segments or moments so you can do a little at a time. You can work from this email, or you can print a copy by <a _mce_href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/15Z3NrjNAY8YD2uD.pdf" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/15Z3NrjNAY8YD2uD.pdf" linktype="document" ref="ACCOUNT.DOCUMENT.1164" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">clicking here</a>.</strong></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So do you have your cup of tea, a Christmas cookie, Bible, and pen? Is there a warm fire in the fireplace, and is your tree on? If so, let'</span><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" lang="NL" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">s begin </span><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:26-38&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:26-38&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:26-38</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Describe what happened in your own words. (Think of the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions in these verses.)</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What types of questions did Mary ask the angel, Gabriel, after he gave her the news that she was to bear a son from God?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When something or someone takes you by surprise, what types of questions do you ask (either out loud or to yourself)?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your response to things that take you by surprise, startle, or scare you?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was Mary's response to this Good News?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back up to verses 36-37. What words of encouragement does Gabriel give Mary?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't that just like God? In the midst of shocking news, life-changing news, God encourages Mary by reminding her of who she's dealing with - an Almighty, All-powerful, Awesome God! When Gabriel says, "for nothing will be impossible with God," and tells her Elizabeth's news, I would imagine that gave Mary a little extra strength and hope as she accepted this Gabriel's message.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How have you seen God encourage or remind you in the midst of unexpected news?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has your response been in the past to such encouragement? What will it be in the future?</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #00caee;" lang="NL" style="color: #00caee; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wonder-FILLED Moment 2</b></span><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #00caee;" style="color: #00caee; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> - Now Mary Must Tell Joseph</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn to <span _mce_style="color: #000000;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201:18-25&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201:18-25&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Matthew 1:18-25</a> </span></b></span><span _mce_style="font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">and read this account.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, God provided assurance. This time it was through a dream. Joseph believed and supported Mary through this time. Did you notice that? Joseph believed! He took God at His Word and trusted Him. Even though it meant he would be talked about and judged, he chose to move forward in belief.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pause for a moment and pray. Praise God for His holiness, power, grace, and faithfulness. Thank Him for His provisions, His loving care, and mercy. Ask Him to help you take Him at His Word without question. Ask Him to fill you with wonder today as you remember who He is. Write your prayer here or in a prayer journal.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #00caee;" lang="NL" style="color: #00caee; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wonder-FILLED Moment 3</b></span><span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #00caee;" style="color: #00caee; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> - Rejoicing at Elizabeth's House</b></span></div>
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<b>Read <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:39-45&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:39-45&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:39-45</a>.</b></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I had to describe this setting with one word, that word would be JOY! Elizabeth was filled with joy, the baby John in her womb leapt with joy, and Mary was filled with joy. Look at her response. <strong>Continue reading <span _mce_style="color: #000000;"><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:46-56&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:46-56&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:46-56</a></span>.</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Mary rejoices in God her Savior. Look at the descriptive language she uses in this canticle of praise.</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her soul magnifies the Lord</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her spirit rejoices in God</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why ...</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is mighty</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has done great things</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holy is His name</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His mercy is for those who fear His name</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has shown strength</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has scattered the proud</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has brought down the mighty</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has exalted the humble</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has filled the hungry</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has helped His servant Israel</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He remembered what He spoke to His servant Abraham and is fulfilling His promise</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This hymn of adoration is a wonderful template for us to draw from as we offer praise to God. Mary was, indeed, wonder-filled and she proclaimed her wonder with shouts of praise! I can just imagine her twirling around in Elizabeth's garden singing this song to the Lord.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When have you offered a song of praise like this to God? Will you do it now? Find a place and dance before the Lord with shouts of praise. Jesus is born! Jesus redeemed us through His blood! Jesus lives! Jesus makes intercession between us and the Father! Jesus is King! Jesus reigns! Praise His name!</span></div>
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<i><b><b><i><span _mce_style="color: #00caee;" style="color: #00caee;">Wonder Tree</span><span _mce_style="color: #00caee;" style="color: #00caee;">. </span></i></b></b></i></div>
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</b></i>You can write things that fill you with wonder on these blank printable paper ornaments to help you capture the wonder all year.<a _mce_href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/ygzmctSDoXtOvEog.pdf" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #00caee; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://origin.library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102117926124/doc/ygzmctSDoXtOvEog.pdf" linktype="document" ref="ACCOUNT.DOCUMENT.1165" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 202, 238) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Click here</a> to download and print. </div>
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<span _mce_style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Century Gothic, ITC Avant Garde, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jacqueline is the Director of Women's Ministry, Prayer & Resource Specialist at Warren Baptist Church. Visit her <a _mce_href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="font-weight: bold; color: #00b0d4; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jacquelineheider.typepad.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 176, 212) !important; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">blog</a> for more encouragement. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-76317986157564633082013-12-15T20:25:00.002-08:002014-01-17T07:40:33.942-08:00December 9, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><strong>If you'd like to download and print this week's devotional, </strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;">So are you all cozied up with your hot chocolate, cookie, Bible, and pen? Let</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 10pt;">'</span><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 10pt;">s begin!</span></div>
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We<span lang="FR">'</span>ll start by defining "<span lang="NL">wonder.</span>"</div>
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<b>Wonder defined:</b></div>
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<i>Noun - a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or in explicable, awe, admiration, wonderment, fascination.</i></div>
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<i><span lang="DE">Verb </span>- to desire or be curious to know something, ponder, think about, meditate on, reflect on, muse, feel admiration or amazement, marvel.</i></div>
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In looking at the characters of Christmas, it occurred to me that in order to be "<span lang="NL">wonder-filled,</span>" they first had to be emptied of some "not-so-wonderful things" ... and so do we.</div>
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Pull back the curtain and let<span lang="FR">'</span>s take a look. Enter Zechariah (and his loving wife, Elizabeth) ...</div>
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<b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hJZlScw0RiJifzJSv4cB748ZJYHeaik-bN0pdXZDvywl_AAAd71FOwHRwgULm4Hr162UVrhI2LLtq7yNfBVOjI5OvbsNrV22wyR4ODe6F-0uobrBhYWXjWbuf7S9bQf3GAR5nfN5mXZJrhM6FXAyhlYOQoCcd3FmP_I0p1Go9Qs4DyJZSQe9LEsqQThwyMOMWYNrCUM-2n0=" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:5-12</a>.</b></div>
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Write what you learn about Zechariah and Elizabeth from these verses.</div>
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From verse 12 what was Zechariah filled with?</div>
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<b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hJZlScw0RiJifzJSv4cB748ZJYHeaik-bN0pdXZDvywl_AAAd71FOwHRwgULm4Hr162UVrhI2LLtq7yNfBVOjI5OvbsNrV22wyR4ODe6F-0uobrBhYWXjWbuf7S9bQf3GAR5nfN5mXZJrhM6FXAyhlYOQoCcd3Fm06tjegeWyzsGvivChXNNsvEpYhlX5SiW" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:13</a>.</b></div>
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The angel said, "Do not ________________!</div>
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<i>The Voice</i> translation puts it this way, " Calm down! Don<span lang="FR">'</span>t be afraid!"</div>
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<b>Wonder #1: A Wonder-FILLED person rids herself of fear and replaces it with faith.</b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Do you need to hear that message today? Calm down! Don</span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">'</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">t rush about trying to buy, cook, clean, and make the season merry and bright! Calm down, relax, and enjoy this! </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Don</span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">'</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">t be afraid! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">The word for <strong>fear</strong> in that verse is </span><i style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">phobeō, </i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">which is translated, "to put to flight, to scare away, to terrify, to be seized with alarm."</span></div>
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Aren<span lang="FR">'</span>t we so often seized with alarm during this season? Another transliteration of this word is to be struck with awe or amazement.<strong> Isn<span lang="FR">'</span>t that a better way to be all the time? Struck with awe and amazement for our incredible God - <span lang="DA">Wonder-filled!</span></strong></div>
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In her book, <i style="font-size: 10pt;">The Women of Christmas, </i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Liz Curtis Higgs says regarding this verse,</span></div>
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<i>I need these words embroidered on a pillow framed on my wall, scribbled across my mouse pad - anywhere I might see them - to remind me that God is in charge, God can be trusted and God does everything out of love. Fear not, Calm down. Why do we fear the worst from God when He loves us completely and always gives us what is best?</i></div>
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So the angel said, "Do not fear for your _________________has been heard."</div>
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His prayer had been heard? What prayer? The prayer for a baby, of course! Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless and the desire of their heart was to have a child. Specifically, a boy child because a boy was of particular blessing and honor in those days. </div>
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As I thought about verse 13, I realized that one way we can be "<span lang="NL">wonder-filled</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">" is to </span><span style="color: #00b0d4;"><b style="font-size: 10pt;">rid ourselves of fear</b></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> and replace it with </span><span style="color: #00b0d4; font-size: 10pt;"><b>prayer</b></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">! We can humbly, in awe of who God is, go before Him and ask for His help rather than be frozen with fear. We can draw near to God knowing that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Being near to God is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19-20), a weapon in battle (Eph. 6:18), a shelter in the storm, and a stream in the desert </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Isaiah 32:1-2).</span></div>
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<b><span lang="NL">Wonder #2 </span>- A Wonder-FILLED person is a Prayer-FILLED person.</b></div>
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<b>Read <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hJZlScw0RiJifzJSv4cB748ZJYHeaik-bN0pdXZDvywl_AAAd71FOwHRwgULm4Hr162UVrhI2LLtq7yNfBVOjI5OvbsNrV22wyR4ODe6F-0uobrBhYWXjWbuf7S9bQf3GAR5nfN5mXZJrhM6FXAyhlYOQoCcd3Fm9NFj2BG3iPbsFW-XGS6WDYsEImOZmBB-_YNoHoR6nfA=" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4;" target="_blank" track="on">Luke 1:14-17</a>.</b></div>
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What else would Zechariah be filled with as a result of this son?</div>
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He would be wonder-filled with joy and gladness. Babies tend to do that, don<span lang="FR">'</span>t they? They make everything new special. They are marvelous creatures. They make us wide-eyed with excitement and dreary-eyed from lack of sleep, but they make us full of wonder!</div>
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Why would this baby boy fill those who would know him with such<strong>joy and gladness</strong>? Verses <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001hJZlScw0RiJifzJSv4cB748ZJYHeaik-bN0pdXZDvywl_AAAd71FOwHRwgULm4Hr162UVrhI2LLtq7yNfBVOjI5OvbsNrV22wyR4ODe6F-0uobrBhYWXjWbuf7S9bQf3GAR5nfN5mXZJrhM6FXAyhlYOQoCcd3Fmfi01AxUpR9pPaFY9yKYC58RxmXKbRNv2zZh5B83n7QU=" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: #00b0d4; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">verses 15-17</a> give an account of what baby John will do.</div>
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List what he would do below.</div>
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<b><span lang="NL">Wonder #3 </span>- A Wonder-FILLED person is filled with joy and gladness because of who God is and what He has done.</b></div>
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Among the many wonderful things God would accomplish through this baby, the best is found at the end of verse 17, which says, "to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." This baby would ultimately prepare the way for the coming Messiah. What an honor! What a blessing! And all a result of the <strong>favor and faithfulness of God.</strong></div>
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That reminds me ... not only was Zechariah<span lang="FR">'</span>s fear going to be replaced with joy and gladness, but <span style="color: #00b0d4;"><strong>all along they had been Wonder-FILLED with the favor and faithfulness of Almighty God.</strong></span> Who, by the way, had this all planned out from the beginning. Zechariah and Elizabeth were not late in conceiving at all; they were exactly on time - God<span lang="FR">'</span>s time!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span lang="NL">Wonder # 4 </span>- A Wonder-FILLED person recognizes and remembers the favor and faithfulness of God.</b></span></div>
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<li style="font-size: 10pt;">What has brought you fear this year?</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Are you tired of praying for the same thing, seemingly with no results?</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Do you feel forgotten or left out, angered or frustrated, because God hasn't answered you?</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Do you struggle with maintaining joy and gladness because of circumstances?</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Do you think you've lost God's favor?</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt;">Are you remembering God's faithfulness? If not, stop now and fill your mind with wonder as you reflect on what you've seen God do in the past, on who He is and will always be!</li>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Continue praying, beloved! Don<span lang="FR">'</span>t stop.<strong> Look for the favor and faithfulness of God.</strong> Anticipate it with awe and wonder. Come to God in prayer with excitement to just be in His presence. Jesus<span lang="FR">'</span>presence is where you find joy and gladness. Replace your fear with wonder for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But wait ... there<span lang="FR">'</span>s more to this story and we<span lang="FR">'</span>ll continue with it next week. <strong>If you<span lang="FR">'</span>d like to go deeper and do a little studying each day to recapture the wonder, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzpBT-qxkOArN1E4b1RpU2NSOGc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">click here</span></a> </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">for thoughts and verses to fill your heart, mind, and spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="IT">One more question </span>... <span style="color: #00b0d4;"><strong>Who will you share the wonder with this week?</strong></span> Tell a friend or neighbor what you<span lang="FR">'</span>ve learned. Share the wonder!</div>
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Merry Christmas, my friend ...<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-12470008121244167842013-12-01T15:02:00.001-08:002013-12-04T12:18:37.820-08:00November 25, 2013<div _mce_style="color: #000000;" style="background-color: white;">
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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, <i style="font-size: 10pt;"></i><br />
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<i style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>give thanks</strong> in all circumstances; </i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 10pt;">for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. </i></div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)</div>
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Celebrate always, pray constantly, and <strong>give thanks</strong> to God no matter what circumstances you find </div>
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yourself in. This is God's will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.</div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Voice)</div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 120%; color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8; line-height: 32px;"><strong>A</strong></span><b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">ttitude </b><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">by redirecting your focus to Jesus which changes your perspective.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 120%; color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8; line-height: 32px;"><strong>R</strong></span><b _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">ehearse </b><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">by remaining in constant communication with the Father in an attitude of prayer.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="line-height: 120%; color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8; line-height: 32px;"><strong>T</strong></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>hanks </b></span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- </span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">by reciting praise to God.</span><span _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;"> </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8;"><b>Give Thanks!</b></span></div>
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This word in 1 Thessalonians is in<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;">the present tense, imperative mood and active voice, which means <b>a continuous, repeated action</b> that is a command that the subject (you) accomplishes. In other words: Do it! Over and over and over again!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Some other words for giving thanks and thanksgiving in the New Testament are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thanksgiving - eucharistia-gratitude; active, grateful language; thanks to God as an act of worship</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be thankful - eucharistos-(used only in Colossians 3:15) - thankful, mindful of favors, grateful</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;">In her book, <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">1000 Gifts</span>, <i>Ann Voskamp</i> makes the point that </span>In the midst of each of these Greek words for <b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">giving thanks </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">is the Greek word </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">charis </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">which means </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">grace</b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">. </span></div>
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<b>grace </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>charis </i></b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><i _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life; that which affords joy or pleasure; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace.</i></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #56c4c9;" style="color: #56c4c9;"><b>Giving thanks is simply grateful language</b></span><span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;">. It is a language of the heart. <b>It is the overflow of our realization, acknowledgement and expression of gratitude for what God has done for us. </b>He has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus. He has restored our peace and joy. He has brought us back into right relationship and fellowship with Him. God's Word tells us that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Our heart is not just our feelings, emotions, desires, affections, but also our mind and will. With our will we CHOOSE. Many times we may not FEEL like giving thanks but we can CHOOSE to do so as an act of worship to God.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8;"><b> "<i>Feeling </i>g</b></span><span _mce_style="color: #56c4c9;" style="color: #56c4c9;"><b>rat</b></span><span _mce_style="color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8;"><b>itude is not a prerequisite to <i>giving</i> thanks." </b></span><span _mce_style="color: #56c4c8;" style="color: #56c4c8;">-T.M. Moore, <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">The Thanksgiving Solution</span></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;"><b>Read through <a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20107&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #56c4c8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20107&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(86, 196, 200) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 107</a>. What can we learn from this psalm about giving thanks?</b></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;">It begins with an exhortation - Let the redeem <b>say so! </b> We are to<b>say so</b>! As those redeemed from an empty way of life -from sin, from darkness and death-we are to express our thanks to God privately and publicly because of who He is and His wondrous works. These verses tell us He is good and His unfailing love endures forever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfailing love - hesed - love, kindness, goodness, mercy, faithfulness, love. Classic text for understanding this word is in Psalm 136 where it is repeated 26 times. God's kindness and faithfulness serve as foundation for his actions and character. It is abundant, exceedingly great, without end and good.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Read through each of the following sections of Psalm 107 and note the descriptors of these people. </b></span><span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="font-size: 10pt;">For what do they give thanks? What do they learn about who He IS as a result of their experience and God's deliverance?</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20107&version=ESV" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #56c4c8; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20107&version=ESV" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(86, 196, 200) !important; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" track="on">Psalm 107:1-3,107:4-9, 107:10-16, 107:17-22, 107:23-32</a></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #262626;" style="color: #262626;"><b>In each of the sections of this psalm we find a group of people who were:</b></span></div>
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<b>In each instance we find some common factors:</b></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">They cried out to the Lord</li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He delivered them from their distress</li>
<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">An repeated phrase to <b>give thanks</b> to the Lord</li>
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<b>We find that God:</b></div>
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<li _mce_style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">shatters the chains of bondage and sets free from darkness and death (v. 14, 16)</li>
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<span _mce_style="color: #56c4c9;" style="color: #56c4c9;"><b>What would your Psalm 107 be? </b></span> Write your story of how God has worked in your life and reasons for giving thanks for who He is all His wondrous works.</div>
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<b>Psalm 107 ends with an exhortation:</b></div>
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"Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord."</div>
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<b>attend </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>samar </i></b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><i _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">to guard, keep, retain, observe and celebrate</i></div>
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<b>consider </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>biyn </i></b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- </span><i _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">to perceive, to understand, to know, consider diligently</i></div>
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We can keep and celebrate, understand and know when we give thanks to the Lord for the many ways we see Him at work in our day. But, we've got to be attentive and intentional. He will reveal Himself in amazing ways and fill our lives with joy and awe when we do so!</div>
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<span _mce_style="color: #56c4c9;" style="color: #56c4c9;"><b>So...Say SO! </b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">Make it a habit to give thanks to the Lord in all circumstances, because He is good, He is unfailing love and He will use it all for His glory and our good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">give thanks - yadah - to acknowledge, to praise, to confess. The essential meaning is an act of acknowledging what is right about God in praise and thanksgiving. It can also mean an acknowledgement of self before God in confessing sin. Often linked with the word hallelujah which in Hebrew </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a combination of the words: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">halal - to praise, boast, shine, to shout and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jah - the contracted form of Jehovah or Yahweh, meaning He is.</span></div>
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<b>Hallelujah </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">literally means, </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">Praise He IS! </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">In Psalm 107 where in case God met their need with an attribute of His character, an aspect of who He IS. He does the same in our lives. So think through your Psalm 107 story and spend some time in </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">Hallelujah Thanksgiving </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">- praising the Lord for who He IS! And remember your story extends beyond your initial point of salvation. God is writing your story every day. You </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">always </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt;" style="font-size: 10pt;">have reason to </span><b _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">give thanks </b><span _mce_style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15px;">to the Lord!</span></div>
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To download the homework from this lesson, <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzpBT-qxkOArZDJHbk1raFBUbTg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>.</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-13983571672093745512013-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:002013-12-04T12:13:35.811-08:00November 18, 2013<div>
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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)</div>
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Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. This is God's will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.</div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Voice)</div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15pt;"><strong><i>R = Rehearsal</i></strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: #20a5c6;" style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15pt;"><b><i>A</i></b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15pt;"><i>ttitude</i></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: #20a5c6;" style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15pt;"><b><i>R</i></b></span><span _mce_style="font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: Helvetica;" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15pt;"><i>ehearsal</i></span></div>
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I’ve spent my life rehearsing. Rehearsing music, rehearsing answers for tests, rehearsing for plays and musicals. As a music major I spent hours upon countless hours in a practice room drilling, counting, memorizing, and learning music. When I left the practice room, I would still be rehearsing (in my head). I would think about, meditate on, visualize, and play a piece of music over and over in my mind. I would talk about it with others and even dream about it. When I say I’ve spent my life rehearsing, I’m truly </div>
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<b>not</b> exaggerating.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our focal verse this week for <i>A.R.T. of Living</i> is verse 17, which simply says, “pray continually.” <b>What does it mean to pray continually? </b>It means to pray without ceasing or to pray all the time. To do something continually means to do it over and over again. It means, in a sense, to pray as a way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So how does this idea of rehearsal relate to praying continually? Let’s begin by agreeing on a basic (very simple) definition for prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Prayer is intentionally communicating with God.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Basically, “pray continually” means to intentionally communicate with God all the time, over and over again, as a way of life.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">God has shown me two areas that I can adjust to make “praying continually” a reality for my life. I hope this helps you in your daily life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>I can adjust my:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Perspective about Prayer</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As I thought about the verse, <i>Pray continually</i>, I asked myself this question: <b>Why would God have put that verse in Scripture?</b> Why would it be important for me to <i>pray continually</i>? So important that God put this idea throughout the Bible and particularly in Romans 12:12 where the writer uses almost the very same words ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="color: #343434;">Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Praying continually” isn’t something God takes lightly. He’s serious about it. So, there must be a reason for it. And I believe the reason for this strong exhortation is that God wants us to change something about our perspective as we pray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I think most of us would agree that at some point in time, prayer has been either a “have to” kind of exercise or a “things are really bad so I need to” kind of mentality. May I suggest that the exhortation to “pray continually” is a call to a serious change in attitude?</span></div>
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<span lang="NL" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">God doesn</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">’t need us to pray for His sake; He needs us to pray for our own sake. A.W. Pink puts it this way ...</span></div>
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<b><i>Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude </i></b><b><i>-</i></b></div>
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<b><i>an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I believe “pray continually” teaches us the lesson that we need to be “</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">poor in spirit. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">” We need to be so dependent upon God that our mindset on prayer becomes just like our mindset about the air we breathe. We must have air to live, and we must have prayer to live! Acts 17:28 says it this way … </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">In Him we live and move and have our being.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>What is your attitude about prayer?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Do you need prayer like you need air?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Will you ask God to make this change in you if necessary?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I also believe that our perspective needs to change from, “I pray because I want the answer” to “I pray because I want God.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Psalm 61:2b says, <i>Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Rock is Jesus. He is higher than all my needs and wants. His plan is perfect because my God is perfect. Psalm 18:30 says, <i>This God, His way is perfect; his word proves true. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">That’s an attitude adjustment that will cause us to “pray continually"!</span></div>
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<i><b>When you pray, do you pray for answers or do you pray to get </b><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">to the heart of God?</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The second area of adjustment is </span><span style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Perseverance in Prayer</b></span><span style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To “pray continually” we must persevere. We must make it a habitual part of every aspect of our lives. It is one thing to continually seek God’s face and pray hard for a specific thing that is of importance to us, but what I’m referring to here is the idea of rehearsing or practicing intentional communication with God as a way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yesterday my husband, Alex, and I were sitting in a very emotional and stressful meeting at one of our children’s schools. I knew before going into the meeting that it would be difficult to hear some of the things that would be said. As the meeting began I sat quietly listening AND praying in my mind. My prayer was simple ... “Lord Jesus,</span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> come.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">” Over and over I said this to myself. Then it became “Give us wisdom.” Over and over again I cried in my heart. “Help us,” I prayed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This continual calling out to God became a refuge for my soul. It formed a hedge around my heart and mind. I was then able to speak, without being taken over by emotion, with confidence and wisdom. At the end of the two-hour meeting, some of those who were in attendance commented to my husband how impressed they were with the control and confidence we displayed. They were astonished by our plan and the purposeful way in which we guided the meeting. I totally laughed to myself when Alex told me that. We were not in control of that meeting at all - God was! And the <i>prayer rehearsal</i> that was happening on the inside of me was what made us look like maestros, when in fact God was orchestrating the whole thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I can thank Paul Miller and his book, <i>A Praying Life</i>. That’s what reminded me to pray that way during my daily dealings. He suggested taking a short phrase and praying it over and over, and it worked!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>May I suggest to you a few other ways to help you learn to “pray continually"?</b></span></div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Take a phrase from a meaningful verse and rehearse it throughout your day</li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: Psalm 23 -“Guide me, Shepherd.”</li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Meditate on a longer portion of a verse or short passage throughout your day. Personalize the verse as you meditate.</li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: Psalm 91:1 -I am dwelling in your shelter today, and I will rest in your shadow, Almighty God</li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Speak God’s attributes to yourself or out loud all throughout the day.</li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example: God, You are love, You are peace, You are faithful, You are truth, You are unchanging...</li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Remember this ...</b></span><span style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b> to “pray continually” is not a learned discipline, but rather a heart attitude and moment-by-moment response to a faithful and loving Father who desires to help His children in all things.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Spend some time this week “rehearsing” with God. </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzpBT-qxkOArY2dfQW9aYkk5eWM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here</a></b> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">for resources that will encourage you to “pray continually” throughout your week.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162775167134325374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666135639047453273.post-15835401253770191292013-11-10T18:34:00.003-08:002013-12-04T12:14:50.466-08:00November 11, 2013<br />
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<i>Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)</i></div>
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<i>Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. This is God's will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.</i></div>
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<i>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Voice)</i></div>
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<strong _mce_style="font-size: 11pt;" style="font-size: 11pt;">A = Attitude</strong></div>
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It all begins with our focus - our perspective which in turns affects our attitude.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20a5c6; font-family: Helvetica, Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Rejoice Always!</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Rejoice - chairo</strong> -<em> to be cheerful, calmly happy, to rejoice exceedingly, be well and thrive.</em></div>
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Rejoice or celebrate always is the command. I love this! I'm always up for a celebration. I love gathering with friends and family to fellowship together. At our house it usually involves food, lots of conversation, laughter, singing and sharing of stories. But we all know that life isn't always a celebration.</div>
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Sometimes life is hard.</div>
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Sometimes life hurts.</div>
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Sometimes life is harried.</div>
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But we are still called to rejoice and celebrate! <strong>So how do we do that in the hard, hurting and harried times of life?</strong></div>
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<em>Rejoicing is a way of praising God until the heart is sweetened and rested, releasing its grip on anything else it thinks it needs</em>. -Tim Keller</div>
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<strong>How do we change our perspective & attitude to rejoice always?</strong></div>
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"<em>Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,</em><em> let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix </em><em>our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."</em> Hebrews 12:1-2</div>
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<strong>#1 Let us</strong></div>
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<strong>A rejoicing attitude chooses its response.</strong></div>
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It's a choice, a determined decision we make about how we will choose to respond. It's not a suggestion but an exhortation. This phrase is repeated three times in these verses followed by the choice we are exhorted and encouraged to embrace because of all Christ has done for us. If you read the rest of Hebrews, it's all about Jesus!</div>
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<strong>#2 Throw off</strong></div>
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<strong>A rejoicing attitude throws off the things </strong></div>
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<strong>that hinder and entangle.</strong></div>
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Throwing off means to cast off. We are to throw off those things that hinder and the sin that entangles.</div>
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<strong>Hindrances </strong>- those burdens that weigh us down, like that spirit of worry or that complaining and grumbling attitude. <strong>Throw it off!</strong></div>
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<strong>Sin</strong> - when we miss the mark or wander from the ways that please God. And this sin entangles us which means it's EVERYWHERE! It surrounds and encompasses. The word picture is that of something thwarting a racer in every direction.<strong>Throw it off!</strong></div>
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It's not enough to <strong>throw off</strong>. We've got to replace it with something else - we must <strong>put on</strong> something to replace that empty space.</div>
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<strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:22-24&version=ESV" _mce_style="color: #000000; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:22-24&version=ESV" linktype="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Ephesians 4:22-24</a></strong> calls us to <strong>throw off/put off</strong> (same word) our old self and its manner of life, corrupted through our deceitful desires and to be renewed in spirit of our minds. We need to <strong>put on</strong> the truth of God's word. This is what renewing our mind is all about - <strong>put off</strong> what's hindering and <strong>put on</strong> truth that renews and restores.</div>
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<strong>#3 Run</strong></div>
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<strong>A rejoicing attitude runs with perseverance</strong></div>
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<strong> the race marked out.</strong></div>
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We've all got a <strong>race</strong> to run. Each of our races looks different with different challenges, opportunities and battles. The word for <strong>race</strong>in the original language can mean an effort, anxiety, conflict or battle. So it's not easy. But it's our race to run. It's a race that has been appointed for us by God - that's what the word <strong>set</strong>means. And we are all called to run our race. Often we want to jump tracks and run someone else's race. This will just bring more anxiety and discontent. Instead we are to <strong>run our race with perseverance.</strong></div>
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<strong>Perseverance</strong> is not about trying to do more in our own strength. It's not a "pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps" and "get over it" kind of word. It's about learning to press on as we press into the Lord Jesus, fully relying on His strength. The word means to come up under and remain, a patient waiting and steadfastness. So we can persevere and press on because we are running in the strength of the Lord.</div>
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<strong>#4 Fix</strong></div>
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<strong>A rejoicing attitude has its eyes fixed on Jesus.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fix </strong><strong>- aphorao</strong> - <em>to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.</em></div>
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We have a choice on what we decide to fixate on. So often we spend time fixated on the "<strong>what ifs</strong>" and "<strong>if onlys</strong>" of life. This just keeps us spiraling downward. So often in trying to make life perfect and comfortable, we miss the here and now joy available to us in the ordinary and the hard moments of our lives. We will not be able to experience the fullness of joy in our lives without an eternal perspective, without shifting our gaze from the temporal to the eternal and seeing God's goodness in all things of life.</div>
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We need to <strong>aphorao</strong>! I love this word! We are to take our eyes off our circumstance and fix them on Jesus. Again it's a choice. I can choose to run my race with a "what if" or "if only" attitude or looking to Jesus and with an attitude and perspective that acknowledges it's tough ... <strong>BUT GOD</strong>! Read the "But God" verse found in <strong><a _mce_href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:4-6&version=ESV" _mce_style="color: #000000; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:4-6&version=ESV" linktype="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Ephesians 2:4-6</a></strong>!</div>
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<strong>But God</strong> can use the hard and the ugly in my life for His glory and my good!</div>
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<em>"We must be clear in our minds that whatever further reasons there may be why God exposes us to the joys and sorrows, fulfillments and frustrations, delights and disappointments, happiness and hurts that make up the emotional reality of our lives, all these experiences are part of His curriculum for us in the school of holiness, which is His spiritual gymnasium for our reshaping and rebuilding in the moral likeness of Jesus Christ." - J.I. Packer</em></div>
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<strong>Practical ways we can look to Jesus and rejoice always: </strong></div>
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<strong>Remember</strong> He is good</div>
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<strong>Recognize</strong> our need for Him</div>
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<strong>Recite</strong> His Word</div>
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<strong> Rehearse</strong> His faithfulness</div>
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<strong>Rely</strong> on His Strength</div>
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<strong> Rest</strong> in His Presence</div>
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<span _mce_style=""><strong><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzpBT-qxkOArbjR4Z25MSmo5M28/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><u>Click here</u> </a></strong></span><strong style="color: black;">to download the homework from class</strong>, <span _mce_style="color: #20a5c6;" style="color: #20a5c6;"><strong><em>Learning to Rejoice Always</em></strong></span>, with a Scripture study and life application questions to encourage you throughout your week.</div>
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<strong>Susan Cady</strong> is a Women of Warren Bible Study teacher and a speaker for <a _mce_href="http://afhgministries.com/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #000000;" href="http://afhgministries.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">All For His Glory Ministries</a>. To read more devotionals from Susan visit her <a _mce_href="http://www.susancady.com/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style=" color: #20A5C6 !important; " href="http://www.susancady.com/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(32, 165, 198) !important;" target="_blank" track="on">website</a>.</div>
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