tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85293090148927849002024-03-15T20:10:07.593-05:00F4SDown To Earth Talk About Heaven And How To Tactfully Help People Get There!
Jesus wants you growin' in Him and fishin' for souls. He said, “Go… tell” Mark 5:19Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.comBlogger2360125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-698076420950788272024-03-06T16:38:00.003-06:002024-03-06T16:38:29.582-06:00Am thinking about Heaven today, a very real place. Do you ever think about this destination? <div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise." </b></i>Hebrews 11:9</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">There are gobs of things that just don’t make sense to us while here on earth, but we believers are looking forward to.. we are even longing for another place. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">It's because of the Resurrection of Christ, we each can have a living hope in a relationship with Him (Jesus) -- we can <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>enjoy the hope of Heaven!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Heaven and Hell are real places -- you've heard this and it's true. Believers, Heaven is waiting for us not cuz we earned it, but cuz Jesus took the judgment for our sins on the cross. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Heaven, this is the place old Abraham was searching for back in the day, and it’s really the place we are all searching for and longing for. Many don't know this is what they are really longing for. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">The Bible tells us about this place. Hebrews 11:8–9 says that when Abraham reached the land God had promised to him, he lived there by faith, kind of like a stranger passing through.. like a foreigner living in a temporary tent. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Abe was constantly looking forward to a better city with eternal foundations designed and built by God Himself. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">That’s what Heaven is about. It's the Home we look forward to. It is a city designed and built by the greatest Archatech -- God. In the final two chapters of Revelation, John used the word <i><b>“city”</b></i> eleven times in specific reference to Heaven.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Like Abraham, you and I are foreigners just passing through. We’re passing through this world, and everything we’re going through is actually preparing us for out home in Heaven. Remember, Jesus said to His disciples, <b><i>“I go to prepare a place for you” </i></b>(John 14:2 NKJV).</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-interceding.html" target="_blank">Why does Jesus intercede for us in Heaven</a>? </b></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;" /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/church-heaven.html" target="_blank">Some Young people ask, but do I need to attend a church to go to heaven</a>? <br /></b></i><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/going-to-heaven.html" target="_blank"><i><b>I want to go to Heaven—so how can I make sure, or guarantee my eternal destination</b></i></a>?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">In the first chapters of the Bible, we see paradise lost when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. But in the final two chapters of the Bible, God describes the paradise that He has created for us in Heaven. What an exciting place -- what a wonderful place of loving-reunion! <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">Come as you are</a>. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4L8tvepe3I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4L8tvepe3I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></span></a><p style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4L8tvepe3I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</span></a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-80568872986513389522024-02-29T12:26:00.000-06:002024-02-29T12:26:33.167-06:00The Chief Shepherd is the loyal one, but He can help each of us in this if we will allow Him to. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C373saqs6Lk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C373saqs6Lk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C373saqs6Lk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-17980505999964750342024-02-29T12:19:00.005-06:002024-02-29T12:23:00.433-06:00You can be apart. Believer, you have an important part to play in God's purpose here. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C38G46zOkp5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C38G46zOkp5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C38G46zOkp5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/outreach-ministries.html" target="_blank">You, with Jesus, got this</a>. Are you <a href="https://Godlife.com/gospel" target="_blank">sure inside your mind and heart that you have repented and believed.. that you are right with God</a>? </div><div><br /></div><div>He delights to forgive, help, keep and empower His people. Travel on purpose -- His. </div><div><br /></div>
Pray, ask, wait on the Lord for direction. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/evangelism-outreach-pastor.html" target="_blank">You can have an important part to plan in God's purpose here</a>.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C37_4M0LDLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C37_4M0LDLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C37_4M0LDLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-42612563035960190232024-02-27T16:22:00.001-06:002024-02-27T16:27:58.734-06:00Worship comes before the work of sowing, watering, reaping.. and during the work as well. Lord, we believers praise You -- let them see You in us today. All day long, let our works, words and witness be as pure worship unto You! <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33WttsJM63/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33WttsJM63/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33WttsJM63/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33eAJzpfXn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33eAJzpfXn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C33eAJzpfXn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-21914810629119715712024-02-27T12:44:00.004-06:002024-02-27T13:17:29.609-06:00Our time here is pretty short. Believer, what soul-winning prayer would you voice to God in Jesus' name? For me, with Him...<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">- GIVE ME EYES TO SEE THE LOST WITH YOUR PERSPECTIVE, GOD. </span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">- GRANT ME A SOFT (NOT HARDENED) COMPASSIONATE HEART THAT REALLY LOVES THE LOST LIKE YOU LOVE US/THEM.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">- GIVE GUIDANCE WITH A WILL TO GO BEFRIEND EM. YES, USE ME TO WIN THE LOST ..GIVING THEM AN ON-THE-SPOT OPPORTUNITY <span><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>TO RESPOND TO YOU, LORD (FOR YOU ALONE CAN SAVE).</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">- GIVE ME A NON-PUSHY MOUTH LIKE YOURS.. TO TACTFULLY, BOLDLY, CLEARLY TELL THE LOST ABOUT <span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jesus?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVwYK3iRUaAonP38tIwL4QjVe7NrXXq9A86OPR27hjsZ7arv5uFhG6Bjn2tcQycnfeL-kHkcOaKslk_kGHLa5uEAq4YNTOY4oCKgK9665b2uz4dTvj9P1hTAZ9xmue2FF5SVtOiy65OWJoedslVXipH&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">JESUS</a>. SO MANY PEOPLE I MEET THINK THEY'VE HEARD YOUR GOSPEL MESSAGE.. AND DON'T YET <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">GRASP IT</a>.</span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">Do you have questions? If you're not sure where you currently stand spiritually.. <a href="http://www.knowGod.org" target="_blank">just come to Jesus</a>. </span></i></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/assurance-salvation.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/assurance-salvation.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw17CRTXd58bnpTHxr1hYdeJ" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/assurance-salvation.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>How can I gain an <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">assurance</b> of my <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">salvation</b>?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-saved.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-saved.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw0KT4tAb-NInTRv__ZO2Ilw" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-saved.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>What if I don't feel saved?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/helmet-of-salvation.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/helmet-of-salvation.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw2F27gqjbIOjKRVtHLqoTvK" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/helmet-of-salvation.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Do I still need to dawn that so-called helmet of <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">salvation</b> (Ephesians 6:17)?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-doubt.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-doubt.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw2TpQdeeD3kG42PEJ88ME4t" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-doubt.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self">How do I get the doubt..out (re: <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">salvation</b></a>)?</i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/make-calling-election-sure.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/make-calling-election-sure.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw3rg_6TbP-WrXnXWoaD2eo1" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/make-calling-election-sure.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>What does Peter mean when he tells each of us to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)? </i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/questioning-salvation.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/questioning-salvation.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjZ5dqkmsyEAxWELkQIHW-lDZoQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw35IY1pMUX8r-DA_f6R6fc_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questioning-salvation.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>How can I stop questioning my <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">salvation</b>?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/signs-saving-faith.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/signs-saving-faith.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjrgYW3m8yEAxWUIEQIHXY0Cs8QFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw0IpDhHC0oy8_tHVoNsXCBe" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/signs-saving-faith.html" style="color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia;">Let's make this and every moment count for God's glory. Don't first clean up your life to come to God, just come asking Him to forgive you. Approach Him with honest repentance, humble faith, and a willingness for the Lord to work inside your heart and mind. </span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”</b></i> Psalms 34:8 </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">Q: <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/winning-souls.html" target="_blank">How can I begin to gain a heart for lost and backslidden people</a>? </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3nuLgIJBwx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3nuLgIJBwx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a></span><p style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3nuLgIJBwx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</span></a></p></div></blockquote><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-11933945967305616882024-02-20T12:44:00.001-06:002024-02-20T12:44:12.218-06:00Ego... just let it go. <p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"When you're older and wiser a lot of the ego has gone out of the window."</b></i> ~ Billy Ocean</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let it go.. bro. Did you ever need it before? Naw, never did. If we're still taking in air then there's room for godly wisdom. Ask. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego.'"</b></i> ~ Friedrich Nietzsche</span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-humble-yourself.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-humble-yourself.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw2aRoilQaGodhBywiPTbGeY" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-humble-yourself.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does the Bible say about how to <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">humble</b> yourself? What's the way?</span></i></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-in-the-sight-of-the-Lord.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-in-the-sight-of-the-Lord.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw1qOGVWqqfDcw24S-hu56xv" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-in-the-sight-of-the-Lord.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean to be poor in spirit, to <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">humble</b> yourselves in the sight of the Lord?</span></i></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/those-who-humble-themselves-will-be-exalted.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/those-who-humble-themselves-will-be-exalted.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw094kBNK2P9RGq1Wry9tawP" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/those-who-humble-themselves-will-be-exalted.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that those who <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">humble</b> themselves will be exalted?</span></i></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-humility.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-humility.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw1KvcwndbNjCeOScUbtg0Un" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-humility.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does the Bible say about humility?</span></i></a></p><p><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-gives-grace-to-the-humble.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/God-gives-grace-to-the-humble.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw1VTKehCMjmsL_rl4Kqz3Ln" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-gives-grace-to-the-humble.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does it mean that God gives grace to the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">humble</b> (1 Peter 5:5</a><span style="background-color: white;">)?</span></span></i></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-opposes-proud-gives-grace-humble.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/God-opposes-proud-gives-grace-humble.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw35yclO63cku34mZyncLRpK" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-opposes-proud-gives-grace-humble.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble?</span></i></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/He-gives-more-grace.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/He-gives-more-grace.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw3O0rWZqP3wWySVBVBiCYLQ" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/He-gives-more-grace.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What is the significance of those Bible words.. “He gives more grace” (James 4:6)?</span></i></a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-under-mighty-hand-God.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-under-mighty-hand-God.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw259dY5rgLp1qsZ6g03_sO4" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/humble-yourselves-under-mighty-hand-God.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does it mean to <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">humble</b> yourselves under the mighty hand of God?</a> </span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/cast-all-your-cares-on-Him.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/cast-all-your-cares-on-Him.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi_zfv3xLqEAxWxlGoFHVqXBOkQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw1rgXorm62r-bvLcH5tTb0o" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/cast-all-your-cares-on-Him.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does it mean to cast all your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7</a><span style="background-color: white;">)?</span></span></i></p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." </b></i>Matthew 23:11-12 msg</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">nlt</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." </i>Matthew 23:12 KJV</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Me thinks this.. whoever seeks to come off as greater than they are will be made humble, but whoever truly humbles themself will be made great.</span></span></p>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-1391000347425133902024-02-15T12:16:00.006-06:002024-02-15T13:05:26.630-06:00Dream, discover, disciple. Parents go the way of faith and they show the way of faith. Your kids will learn to care and share when they watch you doing that for people of the same, or of a different culture! <p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Want to win some (like starting at home)? Then live winsome. </span></span></p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do we win some? Jesus alone saves people. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Doin’ our best, we commit the rest (in prayer). We can shine His light and influence. Will all follow Him? No, but we can win some to the Lord just the same. God delights to use people, and parents too. That’s a no-brainer! </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am feelin’ blessed that our sons still choose to come home to see us. Thanks Lord. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not all sons do that (and I’m not blaming all their parents. How could I know why?). But I am here to encourage Christian parents to be all-in with Jesus. Yes, in Christ and pass It on–their biblical faith to the next generation. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I exhort parents all over to live the life starting at home and then into the places God will lead them as a family to go. Your kids can learn how to pray and care about others as they watch you parents care for others. Whether living her or there is neither here nor there. You know what I mean. For various reasons, the mission fields of the world keep streaming on into our Land and neighborhoods now, Christians. We are hearing new variations of Spanish and even Iranian speak like never before in North Texas now. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many believers know why it’s being allowed to happen. Many nationalists are doing what they can to stop the crimes committed. Glad. Approximately 17 million have flooded into my Land (the USA). </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">None of us have to sit home on our blessed assurance doing nothin' or have to agree with the reasons why things happen as they do, but we do need to agree with the Bible and our own respective personal callings in these last days. If you are a real believer, then you have an important calling and the Great Commission didn’t just go away. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Be different than those of this world -- be transformed in your mind! Travel legally and on purpose! Many families do already -- I visit with and hear them often. </span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The need is great and there are more ways to go tell than ever before. The opportunities and God's love abound! <br /></span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Listen, if you can’t personally cross a sea to be a witness, to give witness or teach, then cross a sidewalk to.. or cross a hallway to.. or cross into a different department (like at the right time with the right demeanor and all). Believers are like seeds and God spreads them around. He has since the upper room. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!” </i></b>― Mark Twain</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the Word prayin' you and I can be absolutely sure of all the things we are to do, and not do. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">You and I can befriend. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">One tiny human (me) with a real big God who hears all.. and with His powerful Message in this unfamiliar city. Countless expressions on foreign faces of this massive nation (Jesus knows the number of hairs on each of their heads)! </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This place, it's where you've perhaps written to but never visited before. Expect great things! Ask big for them, and for your fam too. </span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” </b></i>― Gustav Flaubert</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let it humble you. In His will, parents need to go the way of faith and (by example with much listening, some speaking and serving) show the way of faith to their kids and to their kid’s friends if possible. You can kindly do that in any Land while in His will. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Caring means eventually sharing, doesn’t it? Sure it does. Tell at home and then go tell It where you can! </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">To a watching world (I mean those open and willing to listen to His Message of truth (BTW you can tell if they’re open when they actually do listen). It’s important! Let your life and attitude correspond with your words (biblically. You don’t allow your words and body to speak differently, two messages) do you? </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Me traveling on purpose and making a difference? How does that even start? It starts with a pinch of faith in taking one step after another. (<b><a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">Here are 4 simple steps</a></b>). Read more....</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/raising-children.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/raising-children.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw1sIXOar90ObNtu3ZCuGMoA" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/raising-children.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i>What does the Bible say about <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">raising children</b>?</i></a></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/great-commission.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/great-commission.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjJqZWf-a2EAxVhliYFHWmVCgAQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw1Ee47yVwijYO5pNzZkw6N3" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/great-commission.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>What is the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Great Commission</b>?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/evangelize-friends-family.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/evangelize-friends-family.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi__8ex-a2EAxUTkWoFHXhzCpcQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw0Gu1gzLTNBVZjKcj17RHEo" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/evangelize-friends-family.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">How can I <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">evangelize</b> my friends, my <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">family, or others near or far.. </b>without gettin' all preachy or pushy with them</a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/good-parent.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/good-parent.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw3khKyRDNZMhJNfIy-8FeXC" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/good-parent.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><i>What does the only real God say about being a good parent?</i></a></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/stay-at-home-mom.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/stay-at-home-mom.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw3Tp3pwzhpfUrsOW3Itj4Iu" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/stay-at-home-mom.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">Should all mothers be stay-at-home moms?</a> As if!</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/disrespectful-children.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/disrespectful-children.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw2WzYRrIGY603kdiJu2gRbS" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/disrespectful-children.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does the Bible say about disrespectful <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">children</b></a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>...or <a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/rebellious-child.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/rebellious-child.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIBxAC&usg=AOvVaw1U231J9UrCqsQ2HWa2SUnZ" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/rebellious-child.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">a rebellious</a> or <a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/disobedient-children.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/disobedient-children.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIBRAC&usg=AOvVaw1K46lZF9hc0X_lSe3KK4mT" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/disobedient-children.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">or about a disobedient <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">child</b></a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-grandparents.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-grandparents.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw0LUVAlNrL_Yqgq61uYTjyd" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-grandparents.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Does the Bible say anything about grandparents -- so many of them are parenting all over again?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/single-parenting.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/single-parenting.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw2E2k09BxxQz4WzMfodOXVG" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/single-parenting.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does the Bible say about single parents</a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stepparenting.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stepparenting.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIBhAC&usg=AOvVaw06L2dDCrBLdZhvNQcPdWhS" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stepparenting.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does the Bible say about stepparenting</a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-adoption.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-adoption.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIBBAC&usg=AOvVaw114DXdbFgIqVRQD0Y97VUb" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-adoption.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">Does God in the Bible have anything to say about gay adoption</a>?</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/childrens-rights.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/childrens-rights.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQIAxAC&usg=AOvVaw13ufHaN1iZa_gejlOeXT8T" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/childrens-rights.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>What does the Bible say about <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">children's</b> rights?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/single-mothers.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/single-mothers.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjA2uny962EAxXoj2oFHYg-Bps4ChAWegQICRAC&usg=AOvVaw3cQdz9CBrmgoXi4m1BJ6A0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/single-mothers.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>God cared for people first and He has a lot to say to single mothers?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/godly-parenting.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/godly-parenting.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw2jcXgzcq3v_DC5givyElZ0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/godly-parenting.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Does the Bible promise that godly parenting will always result in what the world calls success?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/disciplining-children.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/disciplining-children.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw3tNKJeV7fMqNqFrUZDgnmK" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/disciplining-children.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>How should Christians wisely discipline their <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">children while they can</b>?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/train-up-a-child.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/train-up-a-child.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiUrdPs362EAxV5lGoFHTSPDCUQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw1FqUJ9iS02eQvfHD8r4ir8" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/train-up-a-child.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does it mean to train up a <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">child</b> in the way he should go</a>?</i></span></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It is our responsibility to be and give consistent witness as parents – to raise up our children in the wholesome way of the Lord. The Bible says…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Prov. 22:6 niv</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” </i>nlt</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Can you <span class="x7l2uk3 xt0e3qv">travel</span> modestly and respectfully? Even towards your kids or grandkids (wherever you go)? Please do. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Man, what a tiny little place (I at any given time) occupy in this huge world.. but am not all alone. Pray and obey.. go big and expect big things -- for a BIG God goes with you, believer! Pray in some miracles even cuz you and your friends or family might need some. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YIswwJH2N/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YIswwJH2N/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3YIswwJH2N/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote></i></b></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Think about this for a minute. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It’s not the government’s or their school's job to do this. It’s not some overseer-bishop or even Sunday School's duty to do this. It's our job as parents to gently teach these things of God’s Word to our children. Do we take it seriously enough without acting overly serious? Can we have fun in this? YES! What do we do, or not do? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We never take our young children to a department store or to a shoe shop so they can learn how to tie their shoelaces. We never take our children to the dentist so they can learn how to brush and floss their teeth. We never take them to a nutritionist so they can learn how to eat their fruits and vegetables. Nope, but there are certain things that parents are to do, like teach their children with patience. It's the duty of us parents today to pass along our faith. Yes, to do what we can to win some, to train the children up in the way of the Lord and to disciple them.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What if they’ve grown and moved out already? <b><a href="https://godlife.com/en/look_to_jesus/introduction" target="_blank">Pray</a></b>. God might still give you some opportunities to make an impact.. to witness. </span></span><br /></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-1746204202202727572024-02-13T13:41:00.005-06:002024-02-13T14:14:00.604-06:00 Bees Don't Care, Why Should We? <p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Who Cares What Others Think Of Us? </span></span></p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does it even matter.. before a watching world? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">1.) Jesus clearly warned us: <i><b>"Woe to you when all men speak well of you" </b></i>(Luke 6:26). </span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">And his own enemies saw in him an indifference to what others thought: <i><b>"Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men but truly teach the way of God"</b></i> (Mark 12:14). </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Apostle Paul stated that if he tried to please men he would no longer be a servant of Christ: <i><b>"Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ"</b></i> (Gal. 1:10). </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let's live wise rather than foolish. <br /></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"As we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts" </b></i>(1 Thess. 2:4).</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">2.) On the other hand, Proverbs 22:1 challenges us to have a good name. What's your character like? Do you love God and others -- do you humbly <a href="https://www.openbible.info/topics/honey_bees" target="_blank">serve others like honey bees do</a>? Do you over-promise and under-deliver? Do you keep your word and stay consistent? </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God says, <i><b>"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold." And Paul was vigilant that he not be discredited in his handling of money for the poor: "[We are] taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" </b></i>(See 2 Cor. 8:20-21). </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It matters what people think and thought. Paul taught the Roman church, <i><b>"Now we who are strong ought... not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification"</b></i> (Romans 15:1-2). </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">And then he clearly taught that one of the qualifications for elders is that they must be <i><b>"above reproach"</b></i> (1 Tim. 3:2), yes, including among unbelievers: </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"He must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" </b></i>(1 Tim. 3:7).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember how Peter challenged believers to care about what outsiders thought of them.. of us too: <i><b>"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation" </b></i>(1 Pet. 2:12).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">There's an interesting tension between these two thoughts huh. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Please grasp that our aim as believers during this lifetime is to glorify the Lord and win other people to faith in Him. We can't save people, but we can pray and the Lord can do that. Jesus said He'd make us into fishers of people right? Yep, our aim is for <i><b>"Christ to be magnified in our bodies whether by life or by death"</b></i> (Phil. 1:19-20). </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like Paul thought, we are to CARE about what others think of Christ. Doin' our best we commit the rest. Their salvation hangs on what they think of Christ and hearing His gospel. Do you have a story to tell of what He's done in your life? We've been given new life so it's our aim is to live holy. Our aim is to display Christ's truth, His winsome grace, His wise tact in relationships, and His beautiful love. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3THFQSJn2C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3THFQSJn2C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3THFQSJn2C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do too many people.. even believers get all worked up about what others think of them? Yes. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Stop that, Sport. Just be yourself, and do your best by His power. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/people-pleaser.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/people-pleaser.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiSi6ftgqmEAxXdlSYFHUJpCBQQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw0lHlNxPNaGtx9nhkCX1MqV" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/people-pleaser.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>How can I stop being a <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">people</b>-<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">pleaser</b>?</i></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-of-man.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-of-man.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiSi6ftgqmEAxXdlSYFHUJpCBQQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw0Fc-SVsm3TlENuTN_dTJM2" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-of-man.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>How is the fear of man a snare (Proverbs 29:25)?</i></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/codependency.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/codependency.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwja64z-hqmEAxVum2oFHbumArMQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw2FiOEETd_NqxrpaW8JCZeP" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/codependency.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>What does the Bible say about codependency?</i></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sincerity.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sincerity.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwja64z-hqmEAxVum2oFHbumArMQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw07J2tzKxjzz98XHpjrRKUX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sincerity.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>What does the Bible say about sincerity?</i></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-popularity.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-popularity.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiSi6ftgqmEAxXdlSYFHUJpCBQQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw0fyAa2BX2au4lz2Oi-0FpI" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-popularity.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does the Bible say about being an influencer (ie, on Social), a trendsetter, or wanting to be popular</a>?</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/eye-service.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/eye-service.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiSi6ftgqmEAxXdlSYFHUJpCBQQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw1CK-SjvCETLsOvjrX0s-ZB" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/eye-service.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What is the meaning of “eye-service” in Ephesians 6:6</a>?</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/double-tongue.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/double-tongue.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiSi6ftgqmEAxXdlSYFHUJpCBQQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw3KMEvC0htiXJIRkExkTmDt" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/double-tongue.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean to have a double tongue?</i></span></a></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">It seems like here in the USA most people never want to offend another person at any cost, but they don't give a flip about offending God via sin. </span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Sure we Westerners never want to come close to triggering anyone not even with the truth spoken in love. Man, let's indeed pray and seek to be a blessing to all others, but let's be far more concerned about offending God okay. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>"If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!"</i></b> (</span><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 10.25" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2010.25" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-style: dashed; border-top-color: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Matt. 10:25</a><span style="background-color: white;">). </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Be yourself in the will of God. Jesus Christ lived a no-spiritual-compromise life. Sure He wanted people to like how helpful He and His teachings were in order that they'd come to put their faith and full trust in Him, but he did not change who he was. He'd never do that. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Merriweather Web", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-41911616244292038532024-02-12T10:07:00.005-06:002024-02-13T12:10:50.958-06:00Do you see three spiritual temperatures of people in the Bible? I do. Dare ya if I may to stick a thermomotor in your mouth so to speak. <p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"They said to each other, 'Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” </b></i>Luke 24:32 nlt</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">I love this positive heart-burn. Let's say no to cold and lukewarm today. No mo--none of that. </span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/on-fire-Christian.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/on-fire-Christian.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw2HfCoX6zPAUoiLSxc541o1" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/on-fire-Christian.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What is an “on-<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">fire</b>” Christian?</i></span></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-fire.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-fire.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw0SC6e5kvqAIm3FkUEBz68u" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-fire.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How is the Holy Spirit like a <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">fire</b>?</i></span></a></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-love-for-God.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-love-for-God.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw3BOgF4rDZOy3sQPmWn1giT" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-love-for-God.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What can I do when I don't feel any love for God?</i></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/the-tongue-is-a-fire.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/the-tongue-is-a-fire.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw0QKmCCy9RHA8DFdHSfHE0_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/the-tongue-is-a-fire.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">What does it mean that the tongue is a <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">fire</b> (James 3:6</a>)?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/refiners-fire.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/refiners-fire.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw0EbGgDSIWpewSEchVikDPH" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/refiners-fire.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">In the Bible what is the significance of the refiner's <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">fire</b> and launderer's soap</a>?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw2f1AxBELFT-be8WwVX_i1S" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">Why did Jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith</a>?</i></span></p><p><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/tested-by-fire.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/tested-by-fire.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiZ95ih76iEAxWFkWoFHbtyBfcQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw3xdevQTPJ1kZ_hKt2Q5Gon" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/tested-by-fire.html" style="background-color: white; color: #1a567e; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean to be tested by <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">fire</b> (1 Peter 1:7)?</i></span></a></p></blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">Do you feel like you've been long wandering around in the wilderness without any passion for the Lord?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">God can fix that -- easily. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">Spend time with Jesus!<i><b> "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." </b></i>Acts 4:13 nlt</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">Back in the day there were those Israelites <b>in Egypt as slaves</b>. They hated it there and wanted out so they cried out to the Lord. People in Egypt represent the lost, the unregenerate. Egypt in the Bible represents this corrupt world system. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">God wants us Christians to come out of the world system and be holy. Yes, to live on-fire passionately for our first-love, Jesus Christ. Everyday! </span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span class="hgKElc" style="background-color: white; padding: 0px 8px 0px 0px;">The Bible says, <i><b>"Wherefore Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, And ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."</b></i> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span>2 Corinthians 6:17-18</span><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then <b>there were those out in the desert for a really long time.</b> They and their wanderings </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">represent the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">defeated spiritual life. Not lost, but not passionate or zealous for God and His will. </span></span><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then there were those <b>crossing over the Jordan River for conquest.</b> They obeyed the Lord (didn't quite claim all the Land He'd given to them but they did cross over to enter). They in the Bible represent His victory by the Spirit over the flesh, the devil, and the world system. Many think that crossing that river in the Bible represents believers leaving earth to cross over into heaven. But that's not true because they still had some battles before them in the Promised Land. There won't be in heaven for them. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Listen, believer, the rest of your life can be the best of your life! Choices and a spiritually no-compromise faith do matter. And you matter to God. I say it's time to crossover and enter in to the life that God has had planned for you. Because of the cross, and because of the power of the Holy Spirit, we all can enter in. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;">Three locations to see, but where are you at spiritually?</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/Egypt-in-the-Bible.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/Egypt-in-the-Bible.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjY4P3bjqaEAxVkm2oFHUmdBKYQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw1_ZKy0PV5tzNeqAMIJ2Pjl" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Egypt-in-the-Bible.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>What is the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">significance</b> of <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Egypt</b> in the Bible?</i></span></a></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/let-my-people-go.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/let-my-people-go.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjY4P3bjqaEAxVkm2oFHUmdBKYQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw31GbvPMK0kF5HJKy4VjrEC" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/let-my-people-go.html" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why was Pharaoh so resistant to Moses' pleas to “let my people go?</i></span></a></div></div><div><div class="gsc-webResult gsc-result" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="gs-webResult gs-result" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="gsc-table-result" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; width: auto;"><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjY4P3bjqaEAxVkm2oFHUmdBKYQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw3HVM3Hhsx7vxSqatuBzGGS" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>What was the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">meaning</b> and purpose of the ten plagues of <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Egypt?</b></i></span></a></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-in-the-Bible.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-in-the-Bible.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjezfncj6aEAxWgkGoFHT5MBpIQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw1dvPc6UOe7RZ3C2_JLtfcr" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-in-the-Bible.html" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why is the firstborn so important in the Bible?</i></span></a></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/400-years-Egypt.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/400-years-Egypt.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjY4P3bjqaEAxVkm2oFHUmdBKYQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw1nqWnhLaJV8_7Bi2G4Mp3T" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/400-years-Egypt.html" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self">Why did God send the Israelites to <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Egypt</b> for 400 years (Genesis 15</a>?</i></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.gotquestions.org/land-of-Goshen.html" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=33c6ad647bbd74dae&q=https://www.gotquestions.org/land-of-Goshen.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjY4P3bjqaEAxVkm2oFHUmdBKYQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw1GFelUu-F_55ucf-NSMS_j" dir="ltr" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/land-of-Goshen.html" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: 700; height: auto; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article) !important;" target="_self"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>What was the land of Goshen in the Bible?</i></span></a></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!" Rev. 3:15-16</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I see three spiritual temperatures of people in the Bible. What temperature are you, and how about with that church you go to? Has anyone respectfully stuck a thermometer in the Bible teaching Elder's mouths so to speak? </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></div></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><div class="gsc-webResult gsc-result" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="gs-webResult gs-result" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="gsc-table-result" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; width: auto;"><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #666666; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1.) Ice cold - that's the person is cold-stone dead in their sins</span></b></i></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="gsc-webResult gsc-result" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="gs-webResult gs-result" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="gsc-table-result" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; width: auto;"><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #666666; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2.) Lukewarm - that's the person is saved but keeps looking half to the world to meet their needs instead of to Christ to meet needs. No pure passion inside.</span></b></i></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="gsc-webResult gsc-result" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="gs-webResult gs-result" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="gsc-table-result" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; width: auto;"><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #666666; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3.) Red Hot - blazing like those two on the road to Emmaus fellowshiping close with Jesus.</span></b></i></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div class="gsc-webResult gsc-result" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="gs-webResult gs-result" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="gsc-table-result" style="border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; width: auto;"><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Believer, get close to Christ. Live red-hot in Him and in His will for you. Listen, the rest of your life can be the best of your life. No, that isn't from Joel, that is simply true. Choices, faith and obedience matter. And you matter to God. Crossover and enter in to to the life that God has had planned for you.</span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3PF6qqsQaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3PF6qqsQaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3PF6qqsQaB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you been looking down and feelin' down because you've felt depressed </span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">a little while lately? </span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look around and evaluate.</span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look within. Examine yourself to see if you're in the faith. Are you cold or lukewarm?</span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look up. Send up a prayer up to get right today even, and have the right address attached to that prayer. To the Father in the name of Jesus. </span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When the outlook ain't so good try the uplook! </span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look forward and advance. Wise application? Go forward spiritually by faith. That's what the book of Joshua is all about. <a href="http://www.KnowGod.org">KnowGod.org</a></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." </b></i>Rev. 2:5</span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikkbyYYOSECGhoUN9kzUqZJQfJ5N6SJw9vuQ5GgoQh06bNKjhLkqyb9qzfaQZmCU25ViMGn4iu5rD8pXJwpWJbM8bE-GB8fs94NNF0eO6MitgI9lXqOvW226pZVLkKSR_XWaKJ-zuV_KZVtgkVjwEp5KI-NgxOI1hlDK4EpdjxZkZVrbtc3K4Xok5QTsbo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="2961" data-original-width="1974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikkbyYYOSECGhoUN9kzUqZJQfJ5N6SJw9vuQ5GgoQh06bNKjhLkqyb9qzfaQZmCU25ViMGn4iu5rD8pXJwpWJbM8bE-GB8fs94NNF0eO6MitgI9lXqOvW226pZVLkKSR_XWaKJ-zuV_KZVtgkVjwEp5KI-NgxOI1hlDK4EpdjxZkZVrbtc3K4Xok5QTsbo=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Karolina Grabowska</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kurt, how do I ditch the lukewarm temp, and get back to red hot for Christ? Simple. </span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like me do you sometimes notice 3 in the word?: The three calls of Samuel, three temptations of Jesus in the desert, the Trinity, three days in the tomb (so glad He's alive now!), Jesus' three-year ministry, age 33 is when Jesus physically died before the Father raised Him up. </span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I'm not "all into Bible numbers" like they are somehow magical, but I'm into knowing and following Jesus, but the number three is interesting along with its compounds occuring hundreds of times is a good study. <i>Most of these display a conventional use such as to mark quantity whether in enumerating persons, things, or activities. For example, Noah had three sons (Gen 6:10) and Job had three daughters (Job 1:2; cf. 42:13).<br /><br />The Ark of the Covenant contained three sacred objects ‘The gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant” (Heb. 9:4). Solomon’s Palace of the Forest of Lebanon was designed with windows “placed high in sets of three facing each other. All the doorways had rectangular frames; they were in the front part in sets of three, facing each other” (1 Kgs 7:4-5).<br /><br />In John’s vision a triple entranceway marked all four sides of the city of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:13). David “bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground” (1 Sam 20:41) and Daniel regularly prayed three times a day giving thanks to God (Dan 6:10, 13). Israelite men were required to appear before the Lord three times in a year: “Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles” (Deut 16:16). Jesus answered Satan’s threefold temptation by citing three scriptural passages Matt 4:1-11). Paul experienced three shipwrecks (2 Cor 11:28) and prayed three times to the Lord for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7-8).<br /><br />Three appears often in measurements of time as well. For example, Moses and Aaron petitioned Pharaoh, “Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God” (Exod 5:3; cf. Exod 3:18; 8:27).22 The fleeing Hebrews went three days without finding water in the Desert of Shur (Exod 15:22). When the Hebrews had traveled from Mount Sinai for three days, the people began to complain (Num 10:33-11:1). When the Hebrews neared the Jordan River they were informed, “Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own” (Josh 1:11; cf. 3:1-4). The men of Timnah were stumped by Samson’s riddle for three days (Judg 14:14) and King Rehoboam gave Jeroboam and the delegation of Israelites a three-day waiting period as he considered their petition for less stringent royal demands (1 Kgs 12:5; cf. 12:12).<br /><br /> Jesus told the Jewish populace at the Temple, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:16), a fact that his disciples later recalled (v. 22).<br /><br />A three-month period also figures in some matters. Moses’ mother was able to conceal her baby for three months (Exod 2:3; cf. Acts 7:20; Heb 11:23) and the ark remained at the house of Obed-Edom for three months (1 Chron 13:14). In keeping with this the third month is often mentioned as one in which some significant action or event took place. Thus three months after Judah visited the supposed shrine prostitute, he learned that she was really his daughter-in-law Tamar who was pregnant with his child (Gen 38:24). Asa’s reforms were celebrated in Jerusalem in the third month of his fifteenth year of reign (2 Chron 15:10). Support for the priests of Hezekiah’s day was gained by means of a tithe which began “in the third month and finished in the seventh month” (2 Chron 31:7). Ezekiel received a message from the Lord concerning the fate of Egypt in the third month of the eleventh year of his exile (Ezek 31:1) and the Lord revealed through Amos, “I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away” (Amos 4:7).<br /><br /> Jesus’ mother Mary visited Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, and stayed for three months (Luke 1:56). Paul stayed in Ephesus for three months and “spoke boldly” in the synagogue there (Acts 19:8), and subsequently stayed three months in Greece (Acts 20:3). Still later after the ship that was carrying him to Rome to stand trial was wrecked in a storm, he and his captives stayed on the island of Malta for three months (Acts 28:11).<br /><br />A period of three years can be noted in the accounts of several biblical texts. In fact, Beyse suggests that “three years … play a more important role” than a period of three months.<br /><br />A three year period figures in the instructions to the Hebrews concerning their conduct after they enter the Promised Land: “When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regards its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten” (Lev 19:23). As part of the Levitical stipulations with regard to the year of Jubilee the Hebrews were forbidden to sow or reap, to plant, reap or harvest in the fiftieth year for it was to be a holy year for them. In compensation the Lord promises “I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years” (Lev 25:21). After the slaying of his brother, “Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years” (2 Sam 13:38). During David’s reign a three-year famine caused the king to seek “the face of the LORD” (2 Sam 21:1). David’s adversary Shimei (2 Sam 16:5-14) was spared by Solomon on condition that he was permanently confined to the city of Jerusalem (1 Kgs 2:36-38). Shimei obeyed this restriction for three years, but when two of his slaves fled from him, he left the city to retrieve them, an action that was to cost him his life (vv. 39-46). Every three years King Solomon’s trading fleet returned “carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons” (1 Kgs 10:22).<br /><br />Isaiah prophesied that “within three years … Moab’s splendor and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble” (Isa 16:14). Isaiah himself went “stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush” (Isa 20:3). Daniel and his three friends were schooled for three years with regard to the language and literature of the Babylonians (Dan 1:3-5). A three-year period appears in some of the accounts of the New Testament as well. It figures in Jesus’ parable of the unproductive fig tree (Luke 13:7). The Apostle Paul spent three years in Arabia apparently to commune with the Lord and receive instruction from him before going to acquaint himself with Peter (Gal 1:18).<br /><br />Appropriately, the third year is also singled out for special mention. The third year was special in that it was the “year of the tithe” (Deut 14:28; cf. Amos 4:4), which was to be collected for the needs of the Levites and the underprivileged members of society such as the alien, the widow, and the poor (Deut 26:12).25 During the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah because “his heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD,” in his third year of reign he sent officials to “teach in the towns of Judah” (2 Chron 17:6-7). The third year was also the year that Jehoshaphat went to meet King Ahab of Israel with regard to their joining forces in an effort to regain Ramoth Gilead from the Arameans (1 Kgs 22:1-5). Still later, during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem God gave to Hezekiah a sign of deliverance and renewed activity (2 Kgs 19:29; cf. Isa 37:30). “For the third year … there was a direct divine command: ‘Sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat fruit.’ Here was direct assurance that the people might resume normal agricultural activities with full expectation of eating the fruits of their labor. When in the harvest of the third year the people ate in abundance, they would know assuredly that God had been in the entire crisis.”<br /><br /> The number three has a distinct place in matters related to time. Thus Birch remarks, “Three is common in designating significant lengths of time, such as three days, three weeks, three months or three years (Gen. 40:12f., 18; Ex. 2:2; 10:22; 2 S. 24:13; Isa. 20:3; Jonah 1:17; Mt. 15:32; Lk. 2:46; 3:7; Acts 9:9; 2 Cor. 12:8).”<br /><br /> a great many things were certainly said to have happened when the number three was utilized, be it three days, three months, or years. Therefore, such may involve more than mere coincidence.<br /><br />In some literary genres in which the number three is found a symbolic sense may also be intended. Thus Barr points to the number three as one of the numbers used in a special symbolic sense in John’s Apocalypse.<br /><br />The number three and its multiple compounds occur more than a score of times in the Book of Revelation. <br /><br />One frequently encounters a threefold literary pattern in the Scriptures. Indeed, the prophecy of Hosea is replete with the author’s use of a threefold literary pattern. For example, Hosea lists three products of ancient Israel that were not only important to its economy, but were signs of God’s blessing: grain, new wine, and oil (Hos. 2:22; cf. 14:7; Joel 1:10; 2:18-19).<br /><br />He also puts forward a threefold plea to Judah not to follow in the ways of the Northern Kingdom (Hos 4:15); condemns three areas of Israelite society: priests, prophets, and people (4:4-5) or prophets, people, and king (5:1); and speaks of groups of three cities: Gibeah, Ramah, and Beth-Aven (= Bethel) and three tribes: Benjamin, Ephraim, and Judah (5:8-10).<br /><br />Metaphorically, Hosea depicts the Israelite king, his advisors, and their deceitful counsel as a baker, a hot oven, and a fire that smolders through the night but “in the morning blazes like a flaming fire” (7:4-7). He also prophesies against the Northern Kingdom by addressing Ephraim, Israel, and Samaria with its king (10:6-7); and portrays the Lord as a lily, cedar of Lebanon, and an olive tree (14:5) as well as picturing the Lord as comparing Himself to a lion, leopard, and a bear robbed of its cubs (13:7-8), while likening His restored people to a lion’s cubs, birds, and doves (11:10-11).<br /><br />“A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Eccles 4:12). <br /><br />In context (vv. 9-12) the point is that there is strength in numbers. This was especially true for the traveler in the ancient Near East. Although a solitary traveler could easily fall victim to robbers along the way, a traveling companion could serve as a possible deterrent to a robber or provide a source of help.<br /><br />In some cases, the number three may signify completeness or finality. <br /><br /> “The figure three is an evocative image, filled with connotations” so that “three consecutive occurrences of an event serves as a rhetorical signal indicating special significance.”<br /><br />Agur who spoke of three things that point to a fourth (Prov 30:15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 29-31) a threefold pattern may indicate that with the third in a series the reader is alerted that something special is about to happen. For example, on Mount Carmel Elijah had the sacrifice doused with water three times to demonstrate that there was no human chance that the sacrifice could be consumed. Nevertheless, in answer to his prayer the Lord sent the fire, which “fell and burnt up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and licked up the water in the trench” (1 Kgs 18:38). Those in attendance at that event as well as those who later heard or read of it would naturally assume that Elijah’s actions were pointing to the fact that something significant—even spectacular—could be expected to follow.<br /><br />Several other examples may be cited. Thus Balaam beat his donkey three times after which he was reprimanded by both his donkey and an angel of the Lord (Num 22:21-35). Further, Balaam later blessed Israel three times as Balak desired, after which Balaam uttered a fourth oracle warning of what lay in the future for Balak’s people (chs. 23-24). Elijah stretched himself over the dead body of the widow’s son while praying for the lad’s revivification (1 Kgs 17:21) and subsequently, “The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived” (v. 22).<br /><br />Before Peter journeyed to Cornelius’ house, he was instructed via a vision three times to eat animals previously declared to be unclean (Acts 10:9-16). Peter was to realize the significance of the vision and so could later testify, “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28; cf. vv. 34-35). Still later, Peter’s testimony to those assembled at Cornelius’ house was climaxed with a special visitation of the Holy Spirit (vv. 36-48).<br /><br />It's about completeness. Jesus’ threefold restoration of Peter (John 21:15-17), who previously had denied Him three times (Luke 22:54-62) even as the Lord had predicted (Matt 26:34; Mark 14:30; John 13:38), tends to underscore the certainty of the Lord’s recommissioning of His disciple. Yet at the same time it provides the basis for further details concerning Peter’s future ministry. Indeed, the Lord went on to reveal the final end of that new period of service in Peter’s own crucifixion (John 21:18-19).<br /><br />Abraham obeyed the Lord’s instructions and was prepared to offer his only son Isaac on the third day of his journey to Moriah (Gen 22:4). If as might be expected by the mention of the third day in the narrative the hearer/reader anticipated a seemingly better ending to the account, he was not disappointed. For God Himself supplied a substitute for the sacrifice (vv. 9-14) after which He confirmed to Abraham the earlier promises in the Abrahamic Covenant (vv. 15-18; cf. Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:17-18; 17:1-22). It was obvious that Abraham truly believed the Lord (Gen 15:6) and put his full trust in Him, doubtless expecting God to provide the means for granting him the vast number of descendants He had promised (Gen 12:1-3; 17:19-22).<br /><br />“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promise was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even thought God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” (Heb 11:17-19).<br /><br />“The third day has a ceremonial significance as well … The meat left from sacrifices was to be destroyed on the third day (Lev 7:17-18; 19:6-7).”<br /><br /></i><b>"He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;<br />He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.<br />After two days he will revive us;<br />On the third day he will restore us,<br />that we may live in his presence" </b><i>(Hos 6:1-2).<br /><br />That Jesus died and rose again bodily on the third day (Mark 16:6; John 20:6-7),<br /><br />Notice the ten post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, in five instances on the third day alone (e.g., Matt 28:1-10; Mark 16:6, 9-13; Luke 24:1-35; cf. 1 Cor 15:5; John 20:10-23).<br /><br />"And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'" Luke 24:32 nkjv<br /><br />Notice the two who were traveling to Emmaus that day remarked to the risen Jesus (whom they were kept from recognizing) concerning their hope in Christ, “But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place” (Luke 24:21). Still later Jesus reminded his assembled disciples, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45s46).<br /></i><br /><i><b>"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve"</b></i> (1 Cor 15:3-5).<br /><br />So <a href="https://bible.org/seriespage/3-use-three-bible#P51_28114" target="_blank">this motif of the third day of course reaches its climax in the fact of the physical resurrection of Jesus on the third day</a>. It is then that the emphasis of the third day as one of spiritual activity and <i><b>completeness finds its culmination </b></i>in Christ’s finished redemptive work. </span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFriuRCfGGsmJC8JwP8jLgFZK9KHEwZXVyzT5gaBMgbsfOP1uljCzD6Xvn9h9-T756QYoO9jLMRo3C-YEkKtYGbEBl8UhGa-cjKM935g0D91Ewxh38Aw2xVUymx1sldxiL5idtC154Y1u2mhxijgUgAbbU6h21iNcV_axhfxW5uV65uJdbrQnEim0EoKfs" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="329" data-original-width="348" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFriuRCfGGsmJC8JwP8jLgFZK9KHEwZXVyzT5gaBMgbsfOP1uljCzD6Xvn9h9-T756QYoO9jLMRo3C-YEkKtYGbEBl8UhGa-cjKM935g0D91Ewxh38Aw2xVUymx1sldxiL5idtC154Y1u2mhxijgUgAbbU6h21iNcV_axhfxW5uV65uJdbrQnEim0EoKfs=w400-h378" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></div><div class="gsc-table-cell-snippet-close" style="margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 729.594px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Remember, repent, repeat. </b></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When someone bails out a.k.a. backslides.. when they turn away from God, it generally NOT something they do overnight. Could happen, but instead, it’s a little compromise here, a little lowering their guard there. And the next thing they know, they’re slipping.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">That’s what was happening to the believers in Ephesus back in the day. Christ told them, <i><b>“You have left your first love”</b></i> (Revelation 2:4 nkjv).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">That's normally the first step to falling away. These Christians had traded in their pure devotion and replaced it with work a.k.a. duty. They still had motion, but they lost the emotion and fire. They had labor, but they lost the red hot love inside. They had perspiration, but they didn’t seem to have inspiration. Was their focus wrong? Obviously. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus told them what was wrong. but He also told them what to do to make it right: <i><b>“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” </b></i>(verse 5 nkjv). In this verse we have the three Rs for getting right with God: <b>remember, repent, and repeat.</b></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><u>Before all else, remember</u></b>: <i><b>“Remember therefore from where you have fallen.” We could translate this to say, “Keep on remembering.”</b></i> Remember where you were when you were at your highest point of commitment close with Christ, and go back to that place. That there is your point of reference.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><u>Be quick to tell on yourself and repent.</u></b> If there was a time when you were closer to God than you are right now, simply repent. Admit it and quit it -- the sin that distracts you away. It's sad that you’re not as close to the Lord as you want to be so let's see that changed. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><u>Now do what? Repeat. If you want revival, pray and do revival like things. </u></b>Jesus said, <b><i>“Do the first works” </i></b>(verse 5 nkjv). What was it that you used to do when your relationship with Jesus was tight and strong? Maybe you read your Bible every day and listen to praise music and to Bible-teaching podcasts. Maybe you shared the gospel whenever you could. Pray and start to doing those things again. Get your body into fellowship with on-fire believers with your church. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Listen, if you’re not moving forward and cultivating your relationship with the Lord, then your spiritual life will come to a standstill.</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-48679068550650779032024-01-30T16:23:00.002-06:002024-01-30T16:27:45.581-06:00I (Kurt) am simply a nobody out trying to tell everybody about a Somebody who can save anybody--His name is Jesus Christ. <p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"> <span style="font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is power in His name, in His presence, in His blood -- there is power in His true Message! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Gospel is fact;</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-22cd66cd-7fff-8525-9cb4-4dbd7856b0e3"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Therefore tell it simply!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is a joyful fact’,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell it cheerfully! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is an entrusted fact; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell it faithfully!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is a fact of infinite moment;</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell it earnestly!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is a fact of love,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell it with feeling!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is a fact of, difficult comprehension;</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell it with colorful illustrations!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel is a fact about a Person;</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore tell them about Christ!" ~ R.G. Lee</span></span></p><div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span></span><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vYVvBpj-I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vYVvBpj-I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></span></a><p style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vYVvBpj-I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</span></a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-1875887861422535172024-01-30T10:47:00.012-06:002024-01-30T12:47:37.161-06:00 My POV: Cheerful, upbeat, and carefree! SomeOne seems to know the Way -- lovely day! Need five verses to help ya start out chipper and cheerful? <p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Wake up each morning looking forward to a lovely day. Thanks, Lord for all the blessings!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Here are five passages to help ya start out cheerful: </b></span></p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>1.) "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." </b></i>—Psalm 118:24</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>2.) "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice."</b></i> —Philippians 4:4</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>3.) "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness." </b></i> —Psalm 89:15-16</span></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sure, inJOY all of God’s creation and His constant presence -- live in harmony with Him and His good plan for you. He's right there for ya. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #666666; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #666666; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Won't ditch ya or forsake -- He'll never bail out on you, believer. That's not how He is. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #666666; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's cuz He ain't done with you here. <br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>4.) "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!"</b></i> Isaiah 26:3 nlt</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"You (God) keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You," </b></i>esv</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>5.) "</b></i><b style="font-style: italic;">Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."</b> 1 John 2:15-17 nlt</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Bible (God's word) says that. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I say, opt not to use people and love things or this world. Just reverse that. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Yes, love the Lord and the people in this world, not the things or this world system. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Want a rejoicing, cheerful, carefree, upbeat, and chipper point of view today? Want a good attitude and blessing? Live in the Word (Jesus Christ) and wisely apply the written word. Simple as that!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I enjoy a nice offshore breeze with some refreshing salty spray, and the sun on my back. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Lovely day.. and fellowship out there! Why not!? Just one look at You (Jesus) and I know it's gonna be, gonna be.. a lovely day.</i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Lovely day. Lovely day. Lovely day, a lovely daaay!</i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlp1N92AK1VyOvfK75hCaAoagKkeBWhqY35QG_K9q4pZw8C1D__flol8YSgjyJNF6uDYj_hHBcml8bK0UlePmQAnR7PwQmlRspjp8GV8SokqIg7lFnPmpqzGNFSf9pjDMRwhAfwvMeATO0qCsbtFuZn1MLoFPoca3ZHS9aGryudMBAf-jjnlRZHWUbsO6P" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1954" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlp1N92AK1VyOvfK75hCaAoagKkeBWhqY35QG_K9q4pZw8C1D__flol8YSgjyJNF6uDYj_hHBcml8bK0UlePmQAnR7PwQmlRspjp8GV8SokqIg7lFnPmpqzGNFSf9pjDMRwhAfwvMeATO0qCsbtFuZn1MLoFPoca3ZHS9aGryudMBAf-jjnlRZHWUbsO6P=w400-h238" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen</span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/creation-story.html" target="_blank">Kurt, sup with God's creation story today? Hasn't it gone whack? Explain some</a>. </b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions_Creation.html" target="_blank">Have more questions about why He made things here as He did</a>?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">God loves you and He delights to bless His kids -- all of us!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lovely day! </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lovely day! </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lovely day! A l</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ovely daaay! Sure can be! </span></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2u0K3ys_ds/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2u0K3ys_ds/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2u0K3ys_ds/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">This physical world (of matter here) is indeed all right with me. It ain't my enemy or yours. The twisted world system is a different story. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Why not do your very best to live at peace with all those in this world. We don't mean em any grief. We don't mean to cause anyone problems. I'm not a troublemaker are you? Why be that way? We simply don't have time for that.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>God, You will keep the person in perfect peace whose primary focus is firmly fixed on Your Word!</b></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Aren't there too many surfers on this planet, Kurt? Naww, look around closely. Do you see em gettin' hurt on a reef, or eaten by a finned creature, or run over by a local's board (nobody's even catching a local's fly away on their backside). I hope that doesn't happen today. Aww, sweet togetherness! : )</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I'm indeed enjoying peace with it all. <b><i>It's a lovely day. A LOVELY DAAAY!</i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRl8EjJtl_SqgN2Bewtea-0SHl7XMY9tjdAGuimOGJ4KHy4qGV47aTzsBOsA7sJ6gpjr-IR494eXCbe9yTCma0Qsr11z8q0-l52OmpPau3nv1Q9xTG5xWfwvZ6rPd3bFCG1qPXm-HrbGE8u8_XnTGByXLRmid55ukqk0-hkIDAFxzUI2KrCU_4I1zVSOP0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2045" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRl8EjJtl_SqgN2Bewtea-0SHl7XMY9tjdAGuimOGJ4KHy4qGV47aTzsBOsA7sJ6gpjr-IR494eXCbe9yTCma0Qsr11z8q0-l52OmpPau3nv1Q9xTG5xWfwvZ6rPd3bFCG1qPXm-HrbGE8u8_XnTGByXLRmid55ukqk0-hkIDAFxzUI2KrCU_4I1zVSOP0=w400-h275" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Reed Naliboff</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">You and I can enjoy Christ's peace inside even when this corrupt world system isn't okay with, or at peace with any of us reborn Christian believers wisely obeying the Bible. </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Jesus said, <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."</b></i> <a href="https://biblehub.com/john/10-10.htm" target="_blank">John 10:9-11</a></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."</b></i> Philippians 4:7 </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I obviously don't live for surfing like I used to during the first half of the '70s in Dana Point California (though I still enjoy it when I get the chance) but </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Q: Will there be waves during the millennium?</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What about with the new earth after the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth after His second coming here. Nope, but maybe there'll be some waves in rivers or surf parks? If these parks can be in built now why can't they be made then? Our brains will definitely be far better in our new resurrected bodies.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">This sounds crazy but we believers won't even need a physical brain to think in heaven before we have our resurrected bodies, before we're in the millennial Kingdom on Earth. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pre-rapture people in heaven are thinking well. "I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. And they cried out in a loud voice, How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?' Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed." Revelation 6:9-11</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/no-more-sea.html" target="_blank">Facts are our friends -- there'll be no more sea on the new earth</a>. Will there be waves anywhere?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Eternity will be so different and far better. There'll definitely be only One marriage in heaven, and that's between Christ and His beloved Church (I mean real Christians). </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">And during the millennium there'll be great JOY for us in relationship with God, even fine wine and meats says Isaiah. That's hard for me to imagine. </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">"In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies</span></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> will spread a wonderful feast</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> for all the people of the world.</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">It will be a delicious banquet</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">There he will remove the cloud of gloom,</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">He will swallow up death forever!</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">He will remove forever all insults and mockery</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> against his land and people.</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> The Lord has spoken!</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">In that day the people will proclaim,</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">“This is our God!</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"> We trusted in him, and he saved us!</div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;">This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.</div></span></i></b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> Let us rejoice.."</i></b> Isaiah 25:6-9 nlt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined." </b></i>nkjv21</div></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This certainly doesn't mean it'll be some lame alcoholic type of wine with drunkenness involved like we often see at weddings today. Nope cuz the fermentation process is all about "dying" and that's going to be past, along with all sin. That's history during the millennium period. </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/end-of-the-world.html" target="_blank">Kurt, tell me more about how it'll end up here in this world. Okay</a>, glad you asked. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">But <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/starving-children.html" target="_blank">this world has gotten so SO wild these days</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There's a time to surrender and let go. We all have our beloved goals. Ever seen some depressed adult who keeps clinging to their past and won't let go? It's indeed good to empathize and pray for em. I say (and not cavalierly) if your dear toy-sailboat sinks on a pond, believer (I mean tips all the way over from that wind and is gone to the bottom) please don't hyperfocus on the ripples, or fret and tribulate long, or stay there forever), just be like the child who joyfully trots over the top of that grassy hill for home sayin' the wind is just perfect! What a great day to fly a kite! </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/natural-disasters.html" target="_blank">can't stand all the devastation at times</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/goodness-of-God.html" target="_blank">Is God still good in this world today? Yes</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-to-the-world.html" target="_blank">How has He really brought joy into this world</a>? Didn't we <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/creationism-vs-evolution.html" target="_blank">merely evolve here? Nope</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/one-world-religion.html" target="_blank">Won't there be a creepy one-world religion in this world? Yes, for a time.</a>. and <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/new-world-order.html" target="_blank">a creepy anti-Christ with his one-world order as well? Yes</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/anti-Christian.html" target="_blank">Even now isn't this world kind of anti-Christian? Yes</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-pleasure.html" target="_blank">In spite of it all, you and I can surely enjoy life, and the beauty of His creation, and God's presence too.. His care, His nurturing, His kind nature.. and this earthly-nature here</a> (I mean without worshiping it as some like to do aka Idolatry).</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When the world system is against believers, like it really is. We can still take a firm stand for Christ as His truth according to the Bible. And daily we each can grow up spiritually to maturity in God's living Word. It's a relationship thing, not a dead religion thang -- never forget that. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I say: When life shuts a door you're opening,.. open it again cuz it's a door and that's how doors work, Sport. No need to force everything like some try to do. And it's also never bad to remain willing for some hatch to up open from Him. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-on-earth.html" target="_blank">Things will one day soon get really wonderful here on earth -- heaven will come down. Let's pray: Come Thy Kingdom, be done Thy will on earth as it is (now) in heaven</a>, Lord. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">Come now as you are. Turn.. to Christ.</a> Now is good -- don't put it off another day. You'll be lovingly accepted.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Ask, and God will freely forgive you. Then <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/world-missions.html" target="_blank">go tell your friends and family about the Lord and His gospel message</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-worldview.html" target="_blank">We can enjoy a sound worldview</a>! </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>"But as it is written: 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.'"</i></b> 1 Corinthians 2:9 kj21</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is it wrong to <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/extreme-sports.html" target="_blank">enjoy sports? Nope, some stiff, religious, verklempt folk might say that, but we all still need all kinds of good exercise to be healthy</a>. </span><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/why-did-God-create-me.html" target="_blank">God created you and me on purpose and for a good purpose. He is ultimately in control. He loves you and has a plan -- we can enjoy and glorify the Lord forever as we choose to</a>!</span></div></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-91574794828655864832024-01-26T09:03:00.003-06:002024-01-30T16:21:18.423-06:00Do you feel like.. or are you alone?<div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>"Look on my right hand (the point of attack), and see; for there is no man that knoweth me: refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul."</i></b> Psalm 142:4</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"..no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me;.no one cares a bit what happens to me."</b></i> nlt</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The God of the Bible sees you, He gets it (fully understands) and genuinely cares. Jesus came and proved it. On a lonely cross at Calvary. This God-man (now alive) really cares about you and those toiling day-in and day-out to survive far away..and with no less care.</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him”</b></i> (1 John 4:9).</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God also shows His care in that He prompts the followers of Christ to help alleviate world hunger. God is currently working to feed the hungry children of the world through many Christian agencies—Compassion International, World Vision, World Help, Feed the Hungry, Samaritan’s Purse—the list could go on and on. Christian missionaries are all over the world helping people with their basic needs while teaching them God’s Word. They do this out of love for their Lord and love for people. They do this because they “are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2jXWAHMkOx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2jXWAHMkOx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2jXWAHMkOx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>"Schaue zur Rechten und siehe! da will mich niemand kennen. Ich kann nicht entfliehen; niemand nimmt sich meiner Seele an." </i></b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luther bibel</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God is good and cares - always, He never hasn't been good. Kind all the time! But it is often discouraging to see such evil and suffering in the world. We know that evil exists not because of God, but because of Satan, sin, and the fallen condition of mankind. We do not give up hope. We <i><b>“resist in the evil day” </b></i>(Ephesians 6:13, nasb). </span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We love our neighbors as ourselves, for the sake of Him who <i><b>“so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”</b></i> (John 3:16). One day, our Lord will make all things right, and <i><b>“no longer will there be any curse” </b></i>(Revelation 22:3).</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/cast-all-your-cares-on-Him.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cast all your cares upon Him my friend for a careth for you. See Peter 5:7</span></a> <a href="http://www.knowGod.org">knowGod.org</a></span></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-50095611915119190632024-01-22T17:23:00.004-06:002024-01-30T13:28:07.859-06:00Let's talk about the negatives -- can you picture that? <p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Negatives happened back in the day. I remember when I had an old-school camera, and listen good came from them. I took a photography class at Dana Hills High. If was fun. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now I'm a believer, and negatives still happen (trials, temptations, testings, persecutions, afflictions, suffering, pains, enemy opposition). Yes, in the life of a true Christian as well, but God can bring good out of them. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Check out what the Bible in Genesis 39:16-22 tells us about dark times. This is a true story about a dark time for a man named Joseph.</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><i><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me."</span></span></span></b></i></div><div dir="auto"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div dir="auto"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home.</span></b></i></div><div dir="auto"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></i></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>Then she told him her story. "That Hebrew slave you've brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me," she said.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!"</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife's story about how Joseph had treated her.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king's prisoners were held, and there he remained.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>The warden had no more worries because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed." </b></i></span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b> <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”</span></b></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ~ Hellen Keller</span></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Humble Joseph did the right things and had a lot of wrong things happen to him.</b></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><i>Remember this if you find yourself in dark times</i></b></span><i style="color: #b45f06;"><b>, believer.</b></i><b style="color: #b45f06;"><i> </i></b></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>1. <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>Dark times are often permitted by God. </b></i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>2. Dark times enhance the presence of God</b></i></span><i style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>.</b></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>3. Dark times are the pathway for God to use (think about maturity and character)</b></i></span><i style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>.</b></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>4. Dark times bring in some perks given from God. </b></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Please pray and recognize ize His perks, tune your hearts and minds with His word. Let's hear what the Spirit is saying.</b></i></span></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyp1R6VAUNcKwBQJfGq36OCpVXoVJh5D7u2cVahoMip4kjhq4csTI2bBl9BTM_udYlPyi7vgO2oUEPvPZHcJ1r8eyCL9M5EsulGj5EYY_2LjQPkySyMOlqXB-wD28eJiVQ3euUvdV8Zk1cNd4T2cpB-04k94CEFQPkfpaQEAgkm5Vf_4yXD_yfd0Sa3LaC" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2069" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyp1R6VAUNcKwBQJfGq36OCpVXoVJh5D7u2cVahoMip4kjhq4csTI2bBl9BTM_udYlPyi7vgO2oUEPvPZHcJ1r8eyCL9M5EsulGj5EYY_2LjQPkySyMOlqXB-wD28eJiVQ3euUvdV8Zk1cNd4T2cpB-04k94CEFQPkfpaQEAgkm5Vf_4yXD_yfd0Sa3LaC=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Josh Hild</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>We humans now shoot/take over 5 billion photographs with our phones daily.</b></i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>We Americans take 20.2 billion photographs daily.</b></i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Today we take more photographs in 2 days than all the photographs that were taken during the entire time period of the 1800s.</b></i></span></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">You remember how it used to take days in the dark room after a photo was shot, before an image would finally appear. We had to trust that something good would happen even in and during that dark time. The one in charge could bring a lot of beauty out of all the negatives, but it happened in the dark. Of course! Good things can happen during the light of day but there are some exploits our Father likes to accomplish through his children during dark times as well.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Do you remember Ansell Adams? He had one black-and-white nature picture of mountains that sold for close to $4 million about 4 years ago.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">We have to trust that good will happen when we're in the dark time</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">"God's ways are behind the scenes, but He's moving all the scenes He's behind."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Do you recall that man who was shipwrecked on an island and while trying to survive one day he got feeling real down hard because all his belongings at this makeshift palm frond-hut had burned up in a fire.. So depressed and is emotions and then a captain on a ship came and rescued him and explained to him: We saw your smoke signals! God allows us some bad things to happen but can bring good out of it.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some people go through a dark time with suffering and turn away from God (or run far away from him), but there are more stories about people who turn to God, yes, who come close to God after suffering and going through a dark and painful time.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Please don't spend too much time trying to figure out the source of your suffering. Figure out accurately how to suffer, what yours to learn and acquire of goldy character.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Spurgeon spoke often of suffering and of those who hadn't had much trouble, the path was too smooth. Many lacked character.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Listen, pain plants the flag of truth in the rebel soul</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Think about that story in the Bible where Jesus came to his team on the waves. He went boardless. What the disciples had feared most in their day was what brought Jesus to them. They feared the dark time on the waves in the storm with the winds blowing contrary.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">I suspect that you're either exiting a trial, or about to enter a trial, or right in the middle of a trial. Cling to Jesus, God the Father's living word. He is for you not against you!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">It's nice when the pain and that trial stops but the pain during the dark time can develop character in your life, if you let the Son of God work in the Lord over every area. <a href="http://www.knowGod.org">knowGod.org</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnnjN-aHXyTqByLsYLA_jbUg9fFFTTYBGkC2EPESBZ70Ub61qMbD8uTu2VkLG3x4Kh9JtXhUGAkndl8j0GC3vR_hFNFXaMICGmYY2kHsrnleKdH8dCXpEAZgg4CR-ps4FEYac39uIAcxuXZK6oK8nSl22fvyDntOgAVap-HdWUpTBgiVdozNdJx1gGGgFD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="206" data-original-width="632" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnnjN-aHXyTqByLsYLA_jbUg9fFFTTYBGkC2EPESBZ70Ub61qMbD8uTu2VkLG3x4Kh9JtXhUGAkndl8j0GC3vR_hFNFXaMICGmYY2kHsrnleKdH8dCXpEAZgg4CR-ps4FEYac39uIAcxuXZK6oK8nSl22fvyDntOgAVap-HdWUpTBgiVdozNdJx1gGGgFD=w640-h208" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://www.threads.net/@kurtwvs" target="_blank">Come as you are to the Lord. ~ www.threads.net/@kurtwvs</a><br /><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>How many photos are taken every year?</b></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">1.81 trillion photos are taken worldwide every year, which equals 57,000 per second, or 5.0 billion per day. By 2030, around 2.3 trillion photos will be taken every year.<br />According to Photutorial data, 1.2 trillion were taken worldwide in 2021 and 1.72 trillion in 2022.<br />The global pandemic reduced the number of images taken by 25% in 2020 and 20% in 2021.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><b><i>How many photos are taken every day?</i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">The average person takes 20.1 photos daily. This number is higher among younger people and lower among older people.<br />According to Phototurial data, 4.7 billion photos are taken every day worldwide in total.<br />By region, the number of photos taken by a smartphone user is led by the US: 20.2/day, Asia-Pacific 15/day, Latin America 11.8/day, Africa 8.1/day, and Europe 4.9/day.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><b><i>How many <a href="https://photutorial.com/photos-statistics/" target="_blank">images are on the internet</a>?</i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;">750 billion images are on the internet, which is only 6% of the total photos that were ever taken since most of the photos we take are never shared.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>How many images are on Google Images?</b></i><br />There are 136 billion images on Google Images.<br />By 2030, there will be 382 billion images on Google Images.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><b><i>How many photos does the average person have on their phone?</i></b><br />The average user has around 2,100 photos on their smartphone in 2023.<br />iOS smartphone users have approximately 2,400 photos on their phones, while Android users have around 1,900 photos on their phones.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Other photo stats</b></i><br />12.4 trillion photos have been taken throughout history. By 2030, this number will increase to 28.6 trillion.<br />Users share the most images on WhatsApp: 6.9 billion per day. 1.3 billion images are shared on Instagram daily, with about 100 million in posts and more than 1 billion on stories and chats.<br />92.5% of photos are taken with smartphones, and only 7% with cameras.</span></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-38941894774626303812024-01-22T10:17:00.005-06:002024-01-30T16:35:09.582-06:00In these last days, men are growing more evil and harder, but the Gospel of Jesus is the solution for hardened, evil people. Christ is the loving Savior and Lord of all! For all people everywhere. We each can turn and trust Him and be on His winning team.<p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"</b></i><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>Did you know "70,000 people per day are coming to Jesus Christ."</b></i> ~ Dr. Jeremiah Johnston</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I was falsely taught as a child with no basis for it.. that there is a purgatory that someone will have to give money and pray me out of. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/hell-real-eternal.html" target="_blank">Is <span style="color: #0b5394;">hell real? Is hell eternal? Will unbelievers truly suffer in hell forever</span></a>? Yes..sadly. So repent and believe in Jesus Christ quickly. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-sinner.html" target="_blank">When you and I (as sinners) wake up are we entitled to more than nothing here</a>? Don't you and I deserve far more than we have? </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”</b></i> (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/1/1-John-1-8.html" rel="ESV.1 John.1.8" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 John 1:8</a><span style="background-color: white;">). </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-sinner.html" target="_blank">Sin committed by sinners</a>—aka rebellion against God, or disobedience, or the violation of God’s law—must be punished. Sinners cannot pay the penalty of sin without perishing, because the punishment required is death (See </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/6/Romans-6-23.html" rel="ESV.Romans.6.23" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 6:23</a><span style="background-color: white;">). </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does hell exist? Is hell real? <a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/does-hell-exist.html" target="_blank">Is there any evidence that hell exists? What does the Bible say about hell?</a></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/do-Jews-believe-in-hell.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do Jews believe in hell? What does Judaism teach about the existence of hell? Is hell taught in the Old Testament aka the H</span>ebrew Bible</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/where-is-hell.html" target="_blank">Where is hell? What is the location of hell? Is hell in the center of the earth? Is hell somewhere in outer space</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/who-will-go-to-hell.html" target="_blank">Who will go to hell? Do only really evil people go to hell? How does God decide who goes to hell</a>?</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What prayer does God delight to prayer?: Forgive me, God, a sinner. I believe in Jesus -- I surrender all to Him and right now I invite Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Amen. </span></p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vUXs2pczi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vUXs2pczi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2vUXs2pczi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How to get to heaven - what are the ideas from the different religions? </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-get-to-heaven.html" style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_blank">What are the core beliefs within each religion about how to get into heaven</a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">?</span><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the difference between <a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/sheol-hades-hell.html" target="_blank">Sheol, Hades, Hell, the lake of fire, Paradise, and Abraham’s bosom? What are all the different realms of the dead</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-teaching-on-hell.html" target="_blank">What was Jesus’ teaching on hell? Is it accurate to say that Jesus taught more about hell than He did about heaven</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/bodies-hell.html" target="_blank">What kind of bodies will people have in hell? Will people in hell have physical bodies? How could anything physical survive the flames of hell?</a></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do unbelievers immediately go to hell when they die? Is there a temporary place of suffering before unbelievers are sent to the lake of fire for e...</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/immediately-go-to-hell.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/immediately-go-to-hell.html</span></a></span></p><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/in-heaven-or-hell.html" target="_blank">Is _____ in heaven or hell? Was _____ saved? How can we know the eternal destiny of a person who died</a>?</span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/great-commission.html" target="_blank">Sup with the Great Commission, is it still for us today? Yes, the harvest is so plentiful and all can be involved as Jesus builds His Church. Nothing'll stop Him</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions_eternity.html" target="_blank">Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity (All): What happens after death? Is there life after death? Is hell real? Is hell eternal</a>?</span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-talk-more-hell-than-heaven.html" target="_blank">Did Jesus really talk about hell more than heaven? Why do some people claim that Jesus talked more about hell than heaven</a>?</span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."</b></i> Hebrews 10:35–36</span></span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/more-people-heaven-hell.html" target="_blank">Will more people go to heaven or to hell? Is Jesus really the only way to Heaven? Why is the road to heaven so narrow</a>?</span></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-on-earth.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Will heaven be on earth?</span></a></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Where did the saying ʺ<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-on-earth.html" target="_blank">heaven on earthʺ come from? What is the relationship between heaven and earth</a>?</span></div></div><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Do gay people go to heaven? Does being gay have anything to do with determining one’s eternal destiny?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">URL: https://www.gotquestions.org/do-gay-people-go-to-heaven.html</span></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-hell.html" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about hell? What does the Bible actually teach about hell</a>?</span></div></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God."</b></i> 1 John 3:21</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lord, I want You most, to know and follow You. And I really want A L L people to believe the Bible, or at least most if possible of those I talk with.. to gain such confidence in You. Please plant seeds and save them, and use me/us too. </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhseHwXxxbUVyvN9qLfRGr0zvSkt8O1rP6l7VNfVmQQe12SiczT7HCtsdwZRV3b135IqgzJE7J3YWkg2j0XU_Llkee9udSGUbWbuDJnoAmTCYShmDHMbvwxGitrm3zitGxRYkSULE2pRoXlzzs1--8692Sw0CqtrbwbDHbGHuiWWd5dVwz-T0ZDiX6s5WwG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="500" data-original-width="677" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhseHwXxxbUVyvN9qLfRGr0zvSkt8O1rP6l7VNfVmQQe12SiczT7HCtsdwZRV3b135IqgzJE7J3YWkg2j0XU_Llkee9udSGUbWbuDJnoAmTCYShmDHMbvwxGitrm3zitGxRYkSULE2pRoXlzzs1--8692Sw0CqtrbwbDHbGHuiWWd5dVwz-T0ZDiX6s5WwG=w640-h472" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShareJesus">Facebook.com/ShareJesus</a></span><p></p>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-37565660154301927352024-01-17T14:45:00.007-06:002024-01-17T15:07:19.525-06:00Can I as a believer employ awesome deeds of love? Yes, and please express it in other ways as well. <p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Towards your first love and then towards others. That's what being and giving a good witness for Jesus is all about. </i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Can I with integrity use words of only one syllable? Yup, but sayin' em is the easy part. You know showing real love can be challenging. </i></b></span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i style="font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">I love..</span></b></i></p><p><i style="font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">..I have loved..</span></b></i></p><div><i style="font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">....I will love ..yep, God being my Helper and He indeed will. </span></b></i></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">But hey, the word <i><b>“beloved”</b></i> always has three syllables. I wonder why. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How am I to love? This way: both upwards and outwards loving.. with the Lord first. Yes, in that order. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember. He first loved. He's the Initiator and I'm/you the responder. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/He-first-loved-us.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean that we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." </b></i>John 3:16</span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/marriage-supper-Lamb.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-each-other-as-I-have-loved-you.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What did Jesus mean when He said, “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12)?</a><br /></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."</b></i> Matthew 6:33 esv </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">A twice-born person (Christian) was regenerated inside and they can/will show love. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">He or she <b>has been saved</b> from the penalty of sin (that's called justification); is <b>being saved </b>from the power of sin (that's called sanctification); and <b>shall be saved</b> from the very presence of sin (that's called glorification).</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Was, am, and will be saved. <br /></span></span><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/need-to-be-saved.html" target="_blank">Wait, do I really even need to be saved? Yes</a>, and God offers you this gift in love. <br /></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God in 1 John 4:19 tells people like you and me, <b><i>“We love because he first loved us.” </i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It is the effectual agape love of Jesus that first changes our hearts in order to make us even capable of love, and it is His perfect example of love that reminds us again and again and again of our need to love other people.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">See verses 20–21. Please be reminded that God’s love for us (you and me), our love for Him (as I have chosen to), and our love for others are inseparable. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">If we have been loved by God, we will love God and we will love others as well. You and I cannot say we love the one whom we have not seen if we do not love those whom we do see — fellow believers who are also objects of God’s saving love. You and I have great value to God, but we are liars if we say we love God but do not love the brethren (v. 20).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">“<i><b>‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."</b></i> Matthew 22:36-40 </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">To say it another way -- to paraphrase, Jesus was saying, <i><b>Beloved people, instead of trying to hyper-focus on all of these rules, just try this. Just love God (enjoy close relationship with Him). If you love your Father God as you really ought to love Him, then everything else will fall into its proper place.</b></i></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember when Augustine, one of the early church fathers, said, <b><i>“Love God, and do as you please.”</i></b> </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Doesn't that almost sound insane? It isn’t. If you really love God biblically, I mean in the way the Bible clearly tells you to love Him, then you’ll want to do what pleases Him. Yep, 24/7/365. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When you love God <i><b>“with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind,”</b></i> it means that you love Him with every part of your being. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #45818e;">To the Hebrews back in the day, the word heart did not refer as much to the emotions as it did to the core of one’s being. For the Christian, the objective is not to focus on your heart; but to focus your heart on God. Know Him and His heartbeat -- know what He loves and hates. He hates sin and evil because these destroy the people He really loves. Don't let them, but draw close to the Lord every day. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-one-another.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean to love one another? </span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-one-another.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean to love one another?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-wedding-traditions.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">Are there parallels between Jewish wedding traditions and our love relationship to Christ?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/bride-of-Christ.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean that the church is the bride of Christ?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">Does the Bible teach that love is love?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/be-done-with-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean to let all that you do be done with love (1 Corinthians 16:14)?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/the-greatest-of-these-is-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does it mean that the greatest of these is love?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What do you know of the four types of <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-love.html" target="_blank">love</a>?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></b></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>- <a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/storge-love.html" target="_blank">Storge – empathy bond</a>.</i></span></b></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>- <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/phileo-love.html" target="_blank">Philia – friend bond</a>.</i></span></b></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>- <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/eros-love.html" target="_blank">Eros – romantic love</a>.</i></span></b></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>- <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/agape-love.html" target="_blank">Agape – unconditional "God" love</a>.</i></span></b></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">I think a godly marriage needs to have all four types of love in it. We are to be people of real love! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What really is love? What is the definition of love?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-of-God.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean that love is of God (1 John 4:7)?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="357" data-original-width="387" height="591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZfQYX9JQqJZSqYubKiXZ0agp9DcfDzXO109RtaSf2TmHMWJem3E-uR-NSGiWUQAbDNkFR_dlP5nxiZWOZ-pWIpspaN6BQWz_CQepyuiyrrA041jaGuHCJojcn7SaCezwhNbtiwU_XvF7l0aA0CtwnXrJgMHWvEjR1QFE5bd4MclqpL0M4wDE2iVlSKcno=w640-h591" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/not-love-word-tongue-but-deed-truth.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does it mean to not love in words or tongue but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18)?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">What more does God in the Bible say about love?</span></a></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-me.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Does God really love me?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/self-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does the Bible say about self-love, loving self?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-ten-virgins.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/finding-true-love.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Why is finding true love so difficult?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-without-hypocrisy.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does it mean to let love be without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9)?</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/five-love-languages.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What are the so called five love languages?</a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." </b></i>Romans 8:35-39 nlt</span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/eros-love.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;">Aren't the worldly people all about eros love?</span></a> </div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-of-love.html" target="_blank">What is the baptism of love? Is the baptism of love a biblical concept? Who came up with the baptism of love concept</a>?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-self-seeking.html" target="_blank">What does it mean that love is not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:5)</a>? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/phileo-love.html" target="_blank">What is phileo love? How is phileo love different from other types of love</a>?</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-love-reckless.html" target="_blank">Is God’s love reckless? Is God’s love actually reckless, or does it just seem that way from our perspective</a>?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-love-God.html" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about how to love God? What does it mean to truly love God?</a></span><br /><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbUBkuT1zSODsMlldGnQO93eDZ_USUo_MA_tRs9l_JhaySY5dTEwIz3CYTihwqzqufpa9jW12J-flDXUTPts49SxHal8RjfRTY0K2e85gIs9eUFJh7OdB1_NyyhtkTzlXlqweZYHh91YUPq-fQ1lxk-0KnxOrkObI37I_J9hH_YrVVQczyimzENYJyxhXk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="560" data-original-width="408" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbUBkuT1zSODsMlldGnQO93eDZ_USUo_MA_tRs9l_JhaySY5dTEwIz3CYTihwqzqufpa9jW12J-flDXUTPts49SxHal8RjfRTY0K2e85gIs9eUFJh7OdB1_NyyhtkTzlXlqweZYHh91YUPq-fQ1lxk-0KnxOrkObI37I_J9hH_YrVVQczyimzENYJyxhXk=w467-h640" width="467" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Tyler Nix</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">What does it mean that love is not rude (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/13/1-Corinthians-13-5.html" rel="ESV.1 Corinthians.13.5" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:5</a><span style="background-color: white;">)? What does 'love is not rude' mean in terms of how I show love to others? </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-rude.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-rude.html</span></a></span></div><div><div class="result_altblock" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that love is patient? What does 'love is patient' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-patient.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-patient.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_block" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Why is there an entire book of the Bible dedicated to romantic love? Is Song of Solomon truly a book entirely about romantic love?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/book-Bible-romantic-love.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/book-Bible-romantic-love.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that God demonstrates His love? What is the meaning of <a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/5/Romans-5-8.html" rel="ESV.Romans.5.8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 5:8</a>?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-demonstrates-His-love.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/God-demonstrates-His-love.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_block" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that faith, hope, and love remain (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/13/1-Corinthians-13-13.html" rel="ESV.1 Corinthians.13.13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:13</a>)? Out of faith, hope, and love, why is love the greatest?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-hope-love.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-hope-love.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">How can I know if I am in love? What is the state of being in love? What is true romantic love according to the Bible?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/know-in-love.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/know-in-love.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_block" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that love does not envy (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/13/1-Corinthians-13-4.html" rel="ESV.1 Corinthians.13.4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:4</a>)? What does 'love does not envy' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-does-not-envy.html</span></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">What does it mean that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases? What is the meaning of <a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Lamentations/3/Lamentations-3-22.html" rel="ESV.Lamentations.3.22" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Lamentations 3:22</a>?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/steadfast-love-of-the-Lord-never-ceases.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/steadfast-love-of-the-Lord-never-ceases.html</span></a></div></div><div class="result_block" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is love? How is love one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-love.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-love.html</span></a></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMLwGOyjdyGGZgY7xY7NRfn1uh0eDlKldMw4GU02XqidqM-jCJU9xk22atfDSCvj939DX4Fhti5_4BwY6ZqS__roUYmshexWNu7BQddwh1lBtpqJOHPfn1qYdWngkxDui1MzDoN_DgIVgKFTLFuH6t4H5MyIoLmNnZKQfQzeY9XplR3kpJC4tjNrhh8n0x" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2119" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMLwGOyjdyGGZgY7xY7NRfn1uh0eDlKldMw4GU02XqidqM-jCJU9xk22atfDSCvj939DX4Fhti5_4BwY6ZqS__roUYmshexWNu7BQddwh1lBtpqJOHPfn1qYdWngkxDui1MzDoN_DgIVgKFTLFuH6t4H5MyIoLmNnZKQfQzeY9XplR3kpJC4tjNrhh8n0x=w400-h253" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Pic by Jez Timms</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="result_altblock" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Who or what shall separate us from the love of Christ (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/8/Romans-8-35.html" rel="ESV.Romans.8.35" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 8:35</a>)? Nothing, no one. If I am more than a conqueror, what exactly am I able to conquer?</span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/separate-us-from-the-love-of-Christ.html"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">https://www.gotquestions.org/separate-us-from-the-love-of-Christ.html</span></a></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that God is love? Is love a core attribute of who God is?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is unfeigned love? In what Bible verses is unfeigned love mentioned?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unfeigned-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/unfeigned-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why does God love us? How can God love us when we are so sinful?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/God-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does God love everyone or just Christians? Does God love me? Does He love Christians more?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-everyone.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-everyone.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)? What does 'love never fails' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-never-fails.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-never-fails.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How can we above all love each other deeply? What is the meaning of 1 Peter 4:8?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-each-other-deeply.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-each-other-deeply.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Love always trusts.. really (1 Corinthians 13:7)? What does 'love always trusts' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-trusts.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-trusts.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to walk in love? What is the meaning of Ephesians 5:2?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/walk-in-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/walk-in-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What are some examples of unfailing love in the Bible? What does the Bible say about unfailing love?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unfailing-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/unfailing-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is it possible to love a person without liking that person? I know we are to love everyone, but do we have to like everyone?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-not-like.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-not-like.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How does love cover all wrongs (Proverbs 10:12)? What does it mean that love covers all sins/offenses/transgressions?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-covers-all-wrongs.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-covers-all-wrongs.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What are some Bible verses about love? What are some of the most well-known Bible verses about love?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to love Jesus? Is loving Jesus an emotion or a decision, or both?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-Jesus.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-Jesus.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)? </span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-not-delight-evil-rejoices-truth.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-not-delight-evil-rejoices-truth.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7)? Really, 'love always perseveres' do you mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-perseveres.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-perseveres.html</span></a></span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to speak the truth in love? What is the meaning of Ephesians 4:15? Why is speaking the truth in love so difficult?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/speak-the-truth-in-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/speak-the-truth-in-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the Song of Solomon, why is it said that we shouldn’t awaken love until it pleases? What is the meaning of “Do not awaken love” in Song of Solo...</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-awaken-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-awaken-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love is not easily angered (1 Corinthians 13:5)? What does 'love is not easily angered' mean in terms of how I show love to...</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-easily-angered.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-easily-angered.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love always hopes (1 Corinthians 13:7)? What does 'love always hopes' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-hopes.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-hopes.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that there is no fear in love? What is the meaning of 1 John 4:18?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/no-fear-in-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/no-fear-in-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How can we encourage one another to love and good works? What is the meaning of Hebrews 10:24?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">URL: </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-and-good-works.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-and-good-works.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to love like Jesus? How can I learn to love others more like how Jesus loves them?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-like-Jesus.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-like-Jesus.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4)? What does 'love is not proud' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-proud.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-not-proud.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)? What does 'love keeps no record of wrongs' mean in terms of how I show...</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-keeps-no-record-of-wrongs.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-keeps-no-record-of-wrongs.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love does not boast (1 Corinthians 13:4)? What does 'love does not boast' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-does-not-boast.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-does-not-boast.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to serve one another through love? What is the meaning of Galatians 5:13?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/serve-one-another-through-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/serve-one-another-through-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love always protects (1 Corinthians 13:7)? What does 'love always protects' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-protects.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-protects.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is storge love? How is storge love different from other types of love?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/storge-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/storge-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to have love for one another? What is the meaning of John 13:35?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-for-one-another.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-for-one-another.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that husbands are to love their wives? What does Ephesians 5:25-33 mean? </span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/husbands-love-wives.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/husbands-love-wives.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that God’s love is unlimited? Is God’s love truly without limit / limitless?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unlimited-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/unlimited-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What can I do when I don’t feel any love for God? Is love for God supposed to be something you can feel?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-love-for-God.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/feel-love-for-God.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the love of Christ? Why does Christ love us? How much does Christ love us?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that there is a time to love and a time to hate? What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 3:8?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/time-to-love-and-time-to-hate.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/time-to-love-and-time-to-hate.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">If God is love, why does He condemn homosexuality? Why is God opposed to homosexuals expressing their love for each other?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-love-and-homosexuality.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/God-love-and-homosexuality.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the spirit of love in contrast to the spirit of fear? What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 1:7?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spirit-of-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/spirit-of-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does God ever hate? Yes, but not people. If God is really love, how can He hate? Can God love and hate at the same time?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-hate.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-hate.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does God love the people who are in hell? Is hell essentially the place of eternal separation from the love of God?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-people-in-hell.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-people-in-hell.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4)? What does 'love is kind' mean in terms of how I show love to others?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-kind.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-is-kind.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that the love of many will grow cold? What is the meaning of Matthew 24:12? Why will the love of many grow cold?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-many-will-grow-cold.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-many-will-grow-cold.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How should I respond to unrequited love? How should a Christian respond when love is given but not returned?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unrequited-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/unrequited-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does God love Satan? Since we are to love our enemies, does that mean we should love Satan?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-Satan.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-Satan.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Is it even possible to love God with all your being?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-Lord-heart-soul-mind-strength.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-Lord-heart-soul-mind-strength.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is Song of Solomon an allegory of God’s love for Israel and/or Christ’s love for the Church?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Song-of-Solomon-allegory.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/Song-of-Solomon-allegory.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why did Jesus ask Peter 'Do you love me?' three times? </span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Peter-do-you-love-me.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Peter-do-you-love-me.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why should we owe no man anything except to love one another? What is the meaning of Romans 13:8?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/owe-no-man-anything.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/owe-no-man-anything.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that neither death nor life separates us from the love of God? What is the meaning of Romans 8:38?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/neither-death-nor-life.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/neither-death-nor-life.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does the Bible say about tough love? Does the Bible teach that we should give tough love?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/tough-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/tough-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to love our enemies? What exactly does it mean with that?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-enemies.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-enemies.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? Is the money the root of all evil, or is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-money-root-evil.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-money-root-evil.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Are we to love the sinner but hate the sin? Is it even possible to truly love a sinner while hating the sins they commit?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-sinner-hate-sin.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-sinner-hate-sin.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to have left your first love (Revelation 2:4)? Why had the Ephesian church left their first love?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/left-first-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/left-first-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why is an open rebuke better than secret love? What is the meaning of Proverbs 27:5?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/open-rebuke-better-than-secret-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/open-rebuke-better-than-secret-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to hate evil and love good? What is the meaning of Amos 5:15?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/hate-evil-love-good.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/hate-evil-love-good.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is a love feast? Where is the love feast mentioned in the Bible? Why and how did the early church celebrate a love feast?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-feast.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-feast.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that the love of Christ compels us? What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:14?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ-compels-us.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-of-Christ-compels-us.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did Jesus mean when He said, “If you love me keep my commandments”? What is the meaning of John 14:15?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/if-you-love-me-keep-my-commandments.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/if-you-love-me-keep-my-commandments.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean to love your neighbor as you love yourself? Why is love your neighbor the second greatest commandment?</span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-neighbor-yourself.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-neighbor-yourself.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that we are not to love the world? Why is it wrong to love the world? What aspect of the world are we not to love?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-love-the-world.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-love-the-world.html</span></a></span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="infoline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is God’s love conditional or unconditional? Or, is God’s love both conditional and unconditional, depending on the context?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/unconditional-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/unconditional-love.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it mean that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)? </span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/love-covers-multitude-sins.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/love-covers-multitude-sins.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What can we learn from 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another”? Why does 1 John talk so much about the need to love one another?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/let-us-love-one-another.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/let-us-love-one-another.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the meaning of “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18)? What is the meaning of 1 John 4:18?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/perfect-love-casts-out-fear.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/perfect-love-casts-out-fear.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Does the Bible teach that God is love? What does the Bible mean when it says that God is love?</span><br /><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-teach-God-is-love.html"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-teach-God-is-love.html</span></a></span></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-70571228220681332672024-01-03T15:39:00.011-06:002024-01-04T09:04:04.823-06:00 True success in 2024 -- is it attainable? <p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Like me, do you have some friends who want some food for thought as they <strike>wish for</strike> work for true success in this new year? </i></span></p><p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Here's some...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."</b></i> James 4:10 nlt #HubrisWontGetUthere #TheWordCan</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."</b></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Joshua 1:8-9 nlt</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>Every book and passage in the Bible to me is God's text for wise application. We have a new beginning of years -- gift! What will you do with it? (idea: <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">experience the ultimate new beginning</a> Gift). Have you paused in prayer to ask the Author how he would have you wisely apply His word to your situation? </i></span></span></p><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/prosper-and-be-in-good-health.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, does 3 John 1:2 endorse a false prosperity gospel simply because John way back in the day.. wanted a friend to prosper and be in good health?</span></i></a></p><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-prosperity.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">What does God in the Bible really have to say about prosperity?</span></i></a></p><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/lamp-to-my-feet.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's 2024 and around the world culture is collapsing, so how is God’s Word a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105)?</span></i></a></p><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/my-ways-are-higher-than-your-ways.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">What does God mean when He says, “my ways are higher than your ways” in Isaiah 55:9?</span></i></a></p><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/why-do-the-wicked-prosper.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why sometimes.. do wicked people seem to prosper so well?</span></i></a></p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>"Always remember [Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. Always remember [Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there." </b></i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">exb</span></div></span><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white;">You can live successfully and courageously in </span><span class="ql-hashtag" data-test-ql-hashtag="true" style="background-color: white; border: var(--artdeco-reset-base-border-zero); box-sizing: inherit; margin: var(--artdeco-reset-base-margin-zero); outline: var(--artdeco-reset-base-outline-zero); overflow-wrap: normal; padding: var(--artdeco-reset-base-padding-zero); vertical-align: var(--artdeco-reset-base-vertical-align-baseline);">#2024</span><span style="background-color: white;"> (with all needs on every level met) without any unhealthy fears because: </span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1.) God is with us wherever He leads us to step by step go. </span></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2.) God promised and He expects each of His followers to live strong and courageous lives (exemplary) before a watching world.</span></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3.) God has actually called you and me to Himself and to live without negative fears as we take part in His Great Commission (by His power, never alone). </span></i></b></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">You recall when Jesus said, <i><b>“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”</b></i> (Matthew 10:28). Well, filled with the Holy Spirit He lived it, and He meant it. For us.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>"And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." </i></b>Philippians 4:19 amp #EveryIsEvery</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">He's never lied, believer. <i><b>"My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus." </b></i>Philippians 4:19 erv </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus told His followers, <i><b>“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.." </b></i>Acts 1:8a</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God doesn't call the equipped — He equips the called so they can pull it off right and then God gets the glory. </span><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."</b></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Hebrews 13:20-21 nkjv</span></div><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember when the Apostle Paul told Timothy, <i><b>“The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”</b></i> (2 Timothy 1:7). </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When Paul was behind bars he said, <b><i>“Because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” </i></b>(Philippians 1:14).</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sure, there is such a thing as "holy fear" that is SO positive -- it's a healthy sense in which we are called to fear God. I mean to live in obedient respect and reverence of Him no matter where we are. But the Bible is WAY CLEAR in teaching us to live with great confidence in God’s promises and power. (You know how the Bible wasn't written to us, but it was written for us.. too! (Sure, it's God's love letter to born-again believers of all Lands). </span><br><br><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” </b></i>We don't walk by feelings, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-God.html" target="_blank">by unhealthy fear</a>, or by flawed human explanations. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span><i><b>"As God's children we live on promises, not on explanations." </b></i>~ Warren Wiersbe</span></span></span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The promise of Joshua 1:9 was specifically given to Joshua, but the principle of this verse is affirmed elsewhere in Scripture.. meaning it's applicable to all believers. God calls us to live courageously, without fear, knowing that He is with us at all times.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I say muse in this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night (yeah, with some verbal repetition)<i><b> "so that you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." </b></i>See Joshua 1:8-9 nlt</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-promise-Joshua.html" target="_blank">Who was this man Joshua</a>? How did he scripturally serve the Lord?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1pWKObOqnr/" target="_blank">Can you and I walk with and serve the Lord according to His Word as well? Yes.</a> </i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br></i></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-success.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">I need some Bible verses regarding true success!</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-envy.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What does the Bible say "wishing for", or about jealousy and envy?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-promises.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">None of us can earn grace or salvation, so what are some Bible verses about promises?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><br></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMskbnQqvMARWO4FOSGcILX_Mwdi8lJjZiNC4O_ge_hxeEEq5mgGTYgZSHVZIrVzc6f0WESgIAMPHbpusbkuM4h_6Fdxc035_y5FiybzIF56iq7ZYuEugy_ulnDQy1ASHG6ketv868HT36FZD5r4Pu-upQS8YE7MZWhr0tRGDZM0pSLlKjVG93ccuU2zu_" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #073763;"><img data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMskbnQqvMARWO4FOSGcILX_Mwdi8lJjZiNC4O_ge_hxeEEq5mgGTYgZSHVZIrVzc6f0WESgIAMPHbpusbkuM4h_6Fdxc035_y5FiybzIF56iq7ZYuEugy_ulnDQy1ASHG6ketv868HT36FZD5r4Pu-upQS8YE7MZWhr0tRGDZM0pSLlKjVG93ccuU2zu_=w400-h266" width="400"></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Clark Tibbs</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/wish-for-something.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Is it wrong to merely wish for something and stop there?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-envy.html" target="_blank">Is envy always sinful</a>?</span></i></span></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/second-marriage.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Does the Bible say anything about making a second marriage a success?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br></i></span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-Devotional-Meditation.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What is Christian Devotional Meditation?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/success-Bible.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What does the Bible say about success?</span></i></a></div><div><br></div><div><div>Just imagine how the Father feels today when He sees you meditating on the pure truth of His Word instead of on what most people dwell upon.. in order to be ready for anything you'll face. Imagine His great feeling when He sees His child (you believer in spite of what you feel) pause to pray some simple sentences requesting assistance. Just imagine how the Holy Spirit feels today when He sees you filled with gratitude, turn to the Ultimate Answer with your questions and challenges.. to the Person that knows exactly what's far ahead. Imagine how Jesus feels today when He sees you step by step walkin' in the light, led by His Spirit and doing the right thing knowing it wasn’t at all easy for you, but you still chose it regardless of what the masses opt to do ..just to honor Him. It's a great day to earnestly pray and then wisely serve ..glorifying the Lord!</div></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/biblical-meditation.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What are some biblical examples of meditation.. what does it look like and not look like?</span></i></a></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/transcendental-meditation.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What is transcendental meditation and is that even safe? Nope.</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/why-read-Bible.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Why should we meditate upon the written Word (the Bible)?</span></i></a></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. This is a good reminder for us that Our Father not only wants us to succeed and prosper, but above all to be spiritually, emotionally balanced."</b></i> 3 John 1:2</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." </i></b></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew 6:33</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>"Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people." </i></b></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Proverbs 22:29 </span></span></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-meditation.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What exactly does God in the Bible have to say about meditation?</span></i></a></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-meditation.html" target="_blank">How is Christian meditation different from meditation in other religions? Is any meditation compatible with Christianity</a>? Yes, on God's Word.</span></i></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-is-a-liar.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is it true that fear is a liar?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-not.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not</a>?</span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-of-man.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">How is the fear of man a snare (Proverbs 29:25)?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-Lord-beginning-wisdom.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">How is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/no-fear-in-love.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Bible says that there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18)! Glad about that.</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-fear-only-believe.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus said, “Do not fear; only believe” to the ruler of the synagogue (Mark 5:36).. why? </span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fear.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">What else does God say about fear?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Zen-Buddhism.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Man, don't those with Zen Buddhism meditate?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Noble-Eightfold-Path.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What is the so-called Noble Eightfold Path?</span></a></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Zen-Christian.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Buddhism is not compatible with the Christian faith.</a> With Christ and His peace inside, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Zen-Christian.html" target="_blank">I sure don't need Zen.</a></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/reality-shifting.html" target="_blank">Is it possible to shift from your current reality to your desired reality</a>?</i></span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/holy-yoga.html" target="_blank">What is so-called "holy yoga"? Is there such a thing as good Christian yoga? Should Christians even participate in yoga</a>?</i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/The-Infinite-Way.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What is The Infinite Way?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/contemplative-spirituality.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What is contemplative spirituality?</span></a></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/meditate-on-Gods-Word.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What are some steps to take -- how can I meditate on God’s Word?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1pWKObOqnr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1pWKObOqnr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1pWKObOqnr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-meditation.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Okay, so what are some Bible verses about meditation? </span></i></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br></i></span></span></div><div><h4 style="background: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(132, 110, 78), rgb(153, 98, 91)) rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 2px; font-size: 20px; left: -10px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.2em 0.4em; position: absolute; text-transform: uppercase; top: 24px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></h4></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Joshua.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">In the Bible what exactly did Joshua do?</span></i></a></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Israel-territory.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Has Israel’s territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4?</span></i></a></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spies-Rahab.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Why did the Israelite spies visit the house of Rahab the prostitute?</span></i></a></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/promises-of-God.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">What are the promises of God?</span></i></a></div><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/commander-army-Lord.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Who was the commander of the army of the Lord in Joshua 5:14?</span></i></a></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"Always remember [Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. Always remember [Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there."</b></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> exb</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><h4 style="background: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(132, 110, 78), rgb(153, 98, 91)) rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 2px; color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 20px; left: -10px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.2em 0.4em; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; top: 24px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br></h4></span></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-failure.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i>What are some Bible verses about failure?</i></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-addiction.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i>What are some Bible verses about addiction?</i></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-achievement.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i>What are some Bible verses about achievement?</i></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-influence.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i>What are some Bible verses about influence?</i></a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-sin.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i>What are some Bible verses about sin?</i></a></span></div></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">I seem to be able to easily remember the truth of God's word when my own two ears hear my mouth repeating what He said.. like when praying His word. God sure doesn't need to be reminded of His promises to us, but it's GOOD FOR US to remind Him of what He said. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Paul said, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us." </b></i>2 Cor.4:8.<br><br>In God's will is His <b>perfect peace, protection </b>and <b>provision</b>, but we can still experience opposition in this life. Christian, you can be harassed and hurt if He allows, but you are indestructible until that moment when God is done using you here. <br><br>Yet still joyful and not alone - You are always with us, Lord.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/words-mouth-meditation-heart-pleasing.html" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>How can I let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to God (Psalm 19:14)?</i></a><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">His word is His will for us. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span><br><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Oh, the joys of those who do not</span></b></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> follow the advice of the wicked,</span></b></i></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> or stand around with sinners,</span></b></i></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span> or join in with mockers.</span></b></i></div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span>But they delight in the law of the Lord,</span></b></i></div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span> meditating on it day and night.</span></b></i></div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span>They are like trees planted along the riverbank,</span></b></i></div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span> bearing fruit each season.</span></b></i></div></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span>Their leaves never wither,</span></b></i></div></span></b></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> and they prosper in all they do."</b></i> Ps. 1:1-3 nlt</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"Happy [Blessed] are those who don’t listen to [walk in the counsel of] the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go.."</b></i> exb</div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUskelxr2uSMsc7Bnf_k5HPu-gkVqf5ncroZzTcx7j3KZHC4NW29ppyv_erOB2MCWPkDkH9a_Qlz-ZXxgjjb8eX2zAvdOd2BT5lg1MPWzAUwu9MsVJIYxlqz9J6xF1XRuruwbdtDUaWKVEg2rrETm48c9t1ENIutlmjdJUOZKM6237RpynI7m2wx-urWeh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763;"><img data-original-height="538" data-original-width="612" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUskelxr2uSMsc7Bnf_k5HPu-gkVqf5ncroZzTcx7j3KZHC4NW29ppyv_erOB2MCWPkDkH9a_Qlz-ZXxgjjb8eX2zAvdOd2BT5lg1MPWzAUwu9MsVJIYxlqz9J6xF1XRuruwbdtDUaWKVEg2rrETm48c9t1ENIutlmjdJUOZKM6237RpynI7m2wx-urWeh=w640-h563" width="640"></span></a></div><span style="color: #073763;"><br></span><br></span></span></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-28922399010216716462023-12-26T11:07:00.002-06:002023-12-26T11:54:13.004-06:00In 2024 if "work" is a four-letter word for those around you, let it not be for you. Cuz it ain't. Never has been. <p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Work can be a real blessing -- live with Jesus as Lord in the center of the will of God. If you're not there yet, then pray and obey your way into His will for you. I remember when I lived in Bavaria hearing from young Europeans about their trials of life. Trials to them were not relational so much, but they were related to how they really wanted to work and progress towards expertise in a career. The Bible says...</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj-OaAxeQvRo6ZdOlpFTDDZK-nVjgSnFWCSzDBGj-1b6APHvDjZhyE5pfyo4OQl21CPg-p6T1Iq3KD9z1KGKVEZphDUK9ZpaeMFhy3QNjnq-KpjXwbSH_1iunMliZ3H5d24P1MuDnIKnE3XU7IAOwmPZAwpit3wYxpeAPyr6DeFKfAnhkwalBxD_DR5zzm" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1094" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj-OaAxeQvRo6ZdOlpFTDDZK-nVjgSnFWCSzDBGj-1b6APHvDjZhyE5pfyo4OQl21CPg-p6T1Iq3KD9z1KGKVEZphDUK9ZpaeMFhy3QNjnq-KpjXwbSH_1iunMliZ3H5d24P1MuDnIKnE3XU7IAOwmPZAwpit3wYxpeAPyr6DeFKfAnhkwalBxD_DR5zzm=w400-h229" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Maxime Agnelli</span></td></tr></tbody></table><i style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"</b></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Colossians 3:23</span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><b><i>"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." </i></b>Joshua 1:9</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a><i><b>"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.."</b></i> Ecclesiastes 9:10a</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9Bk6Out_ClvJyyrsd6_mXy6oX6FBbIdQho5N-9vmUUoq8mT-FRY-TvcgeuA5weCkC_T9yIy5TjpqBwE5sUL7XPAuBz5WT8lbu8gNHjN7OfmXWedXIKJUJ9BSz0KBCax-yzlYCebDfsFN7DRX_yPxS1ncPqk7BT6qPyPbGrWHO7DNThJLtk-R-7sa_RxkJ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9Bk6Out_ClvJyyrsd6_mXy6oX6FBbIdQho5N-9vmUUoq8mT-FRY-TvcgeuA5weCkC_T9yIy5TjpqBwE5sUL7XPAuBz5WT8lbu8gNHjN7OfmXWedXIKJUJ9BSz0KBCax-yzlYCebDfsFN7DRX_yPxS1ncPqk7BT6qPyPbGrWHO7DNThJLtk-R-7sa_RxkJ" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Jesse Orrico</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">You know that work (in a general sense) ain't never been a four letter word (bad grammar, good.point).. like those of this world think it is. It's not a curse. Never was part of the curse -- was given to people before the fall. In 2024 let's not lose our God given work ethic or be workaholics too busy to take time out alone with the Lord, but wisely glorify Him in it all.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">If a DC or State Administration doesn't want you to work, earn honestly, and pay your bills.. just do all those things anyways. Just sayin'.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." </i>Proverbs 13:4</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." </i>Proverbs 14:23</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." </i>1 Timothy 5:8</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." </i>Genesis 2:15</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops." </i>2 Timothy 2:6 (Do a study on all the labor related verses. Sure, it doesn't have to be Labor Day, Sport)</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” </i>1 Corinthians 16:13-14</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Is there an aggressive masculinity that is positive and appropriate? Yes, but that doesn't mean you're to act insensitive or ungentle with people.. daily. Read the room so to speak. Recognize the needs. Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and don't miss bro. No excuses. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hey men, let's each choose to be a good example this year (and then make the same choice next year..) by his power and remember some things about work. </span></b></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>• God is a wise diligent worker. </b>(Think about it, hard vigorous work is good for you too). In Genesis (1:26, 27; 5:1) gives us a clear understanding of this through the creation story. God creates--He's the Creator who worked and works in this material world, who works "in relationship", and whose work observes good limits. We have the ability to do the same. Check out Genesis 1 and 2, and how develops human work in five specific categories: <b>1.) dominion, 2.) relationships, 3.) fruitfulness/growth, 4.) provision, and 5.) limits. </b>(Sadly, too many of us people ignore the proper limits we should have with work). But this development occurs in two cycles, one in Genesis 1:26-2:4 and the other in Genesis 2:4-25.</span></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>• God is our ultimate Master so be diligent like he is. </b>Whatever you are doing work at it with enthusiasm, as unto the Lord (He sees) and not for eyes of people because you know you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve and enthusiastically praise the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24</span></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>• Be compassionate and purposeful in your work. </b>Plan well and manage your time wisely.. all of your prep time too. Most of us get to provide for our families and God takes this seriously. He loves us all dearly. But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8. (Don't get mad at me, those are his words)</span></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>• Be totally grateful from the heart, and earnestly express it upwards and then outwards when people help.</b> God gave a lot, still does, and He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful', Deuteronomy 8:17-18. When I woke up this morning I wasn't entitled to anything. It was a blessing and every heartbeat and breath has been an unentitled unearned blessing as well. Yeah, I wasn't even deserving or entitled to wake up really. (I told some friends/workers downtown the other day that if they work smart for 8 hours (for however, many days they are scheduled) then they're entitled to a paycheck and a hug from me). <b>"Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." </b>Romans 13:8-10</span></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• <b>Be very mindful that God values each of us individually not for how very skilled or "brilliant" we are, or for what we specifically do (good works-wise), or for how much we earn.. but for who we are</b> (made in his image: God is Spirit and you too are a spirit inside created to intimately fellowship with Him. No idols fill that inner void--live for Him not work etc). You believers, are His beloved children redeemed through the costly sacrifice of His Son Jesus. <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FknowGod.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0iwLuQAKjE-7Sl_9NXgPfZlKTa50ZMPbByp-87PcICq6wShxikKEUB0co&h=AT3qU02xUo5Z4kWddlOCfJM3OSKJYE9SQrw5nWhaNhy7OeJzF1fveUB4x1c_ChsOm-aaFcr2t7rUE1M109PhN2uM4XkGRb5gtBOVswNbeVJIynPtjIg4JGtkh71-YEkoK1As&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT03APvmIKEg1YgdGdaC7WtXBmq63eweXkZ9ev2rVpHf-j_hCLjRHqzAwUJqloIZ5UYUdA5fnjecJAdHyw3SFHnevOveIxDbi_CWDl8faQ3Sr_0_6XTxPdK1G5q4_Bgr6SWZC0kCTrqF_tt-V3b3lpPViW5wdlFK2wc7Voo-EpNy7VzdKRlweL-5gplaVndhgl7vzQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">knowGod.org</a></span></i></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">You know this, thanksgiving wasn't that long ago (and we can give thanks all year long). We should daily be dedicating ourselves to the Lord through our work (why wouldn't we?) and be allowing His Word to lead us step by step. He is our real Boss (and our boss'.. Boss). Yes, that we will all one day give account to. </span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-work.html" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about work? What should be the Christian attitude regarding work (that doesn't hurt of destroy otherss), especially hard work</a>?</i></span></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/2-Thessalonians-3-10-no-work-eat.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/biblical-homemaking.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What is biblical homemaking.. it's hard work and those who do this deserve our full respect?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/work-life-balance.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Biblically speaking, how does one achieve a proper work/life balance?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/He-who-began-a-good-work-in-you.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean that God “began a good work in you” (Philippians 1:6)?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-and-trembling.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-work-working.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>God some Bible verses about hard work, about vigorous diligent working?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-careers.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What sort of careers can a Christian consider? </i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/establish-the-work-of-our-hands.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean for God to establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17)? </i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/work-in-heaven.html" target="_blank">Will we work in heaven? Will we have jobs in heaven? Will God be giving us things to do in heaven</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/commit-work-plans-established.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)?</i></span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="infoline" style="color: grey; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/work-with-your-hands.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>It's now a day of high tech and all (wasn't always) -- why does 1 Thessalonians 4:11 say to work with your hands?</i></span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="infoline" style="color: grey; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/abounding-in-the-work-of-the-Lord.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How can we always be “abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)?</i></span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="infoline" style="color: grey; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/work-while-it-is-day.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Can I still be a person God uses to win and disciple people if I work at a secular job? Uhh, yes. All born-again believers are called to full-time ministry so to speak (and some provide by working full-time at a local church). Why are we told to work while it is day (John 9:4)?</i></span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/theology-of-work.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Is there really a biblical theology of work?</i></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-work-ethic.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>What does the Bible say about work ethic? What is a Christian work ethic?</i></span></a></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Jesus served other people. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-work-working.html" target="_blank">Each and every person is called to work</a>, not like some idiot but wisely. Each Christian needs to work if they can work.. <i><b>"or you have a full-time job looking for work"</b></i> (says my dad, Rodney Kim). </span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">You know how some people work as students and at studying when they get home (hopefully, they're in a decent school), some work as teachers (hopefully in a decent school that doesn't go against what the Bible clearly teaches), some work as mothers (with, or without a side hustle job), some as businessmen (hopefully with integrity), etc. Everybody is to work for a living and not think the government owes them the income they need. </span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">The only difference with workers is the pay. Am I the judge of what everyone should get paid for their work? Nope, haven't studied that. Some workers don’t get paid at all (healthy churches and para-church organizations need spiritual Christian volunteers), some workers get paid a little bit (so many feel like that), and some get paid a whole lot (and many people don't feel like that). </span></div><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">There are some jobs we shouldn't take of course, but work in general is not a bad thing! Some people saved and unsaved erroneously think that work is a result of the fall of man (<a class="NETBibleTagged" target="_blank">Gen 3:17–18</a>). Go check it out in the Bible -- work was given before the fall. It was indeed Adam’s responsibility to work and till the grounding order to take care of the Garden of Eden (<a class="NETBibleTagged" target="_blank">Gen 2:15</a>).</span></p><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">The Bible lets us know that we believers will work in heaven and that people who are not spiritually born again sadly will not. In <a class="NETBibleTagged" target="_blank">Luke 19:17</a>, those who are faithful with their gifts and talents here on earth will be rewarded with the task of overseeing cities in the coming kingdom. That will be work. And working with other believers can be fun. </span></p><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Go look at <a class="NETBibleTagged">Revelation 21:2. What do you see? There is the</a> holy city of Jerusalem coming out of heaven to the earth. We will work on earth once again. </span></p><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Just the fact that heaven is called a city implies many characteristics about eternity. A city has commerce, cultural art districts, education, and government. In heaven, we will not be sitting around on some cloud doing nothing. You'll never be bored out of your goard there. We will have excellent, exciting times worshiping and serving the Lord together in the heavenly city and then on the earth again. This will be forever. It has always been God’s will for man to serve others. Following and knowing Him isn't about selfishness. </span></p><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">God has never been selfish -- He is others-orientated as a worker too! He creates and sustains the world by the POWER of his living Word (<a class="NETBibleTagged">Heb. 1:3</a>). He is not idle, He won't get idle! He earnestly prays for His saints. Yes, we should too. He prays for people in order to save them to the uttermost (<a class="NETBibleTagged">Heb 7:25</a>). No charge. We serve a God who neither sleeps nor slumbers (<a class="NETBibleTagged">Ps. 121:4</a>). He is always active in his creation. </span></p><p class="bodytext"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Jesus answered people of his day saying, <i><b>“'My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.' This made the Jews more determined than ever to kill Him, for not only was He breaking the Sabbath [from their viewpoint], but He was also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God." </b></i>John 5:17-18 amp</span></p><p class="bodytext" style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Work can be a blessing as we keep Jesus first allowing Him to lead us. It is something we do here on earth and something we will also do in eternity. When we need something we are to pray first..not merely wish first/only.. and then go to work. Prayfullying working is a way that we imitate Jesus and bring honor to the Father. Jesus did this. If work is something we will do throughout eternity, we would do well to ask ourselves, “How can I work and learn in such a way that God is glorified?”</span></p><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Listen, regardless of what all the politicians are doing wrong or right (or others), let's work smart and hard as unto the Lord to please Him. I respectfully appeal and challenge you.. Let others see a sound Christian sermon before they hear a sound sermon (both are needed, more today than ever before). Try to be safe and keep others safe so you all can work another day. : ) </span></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-29382990829922007942023-12-24T15:26:00.008-06:002023-12-26T11:21:57.376-06:00Today many people God loves stay confused out there. Let's be willing to help them if we can. if they'll allow us to help. None need to be or stay that way -- confused is a very negative thing. <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I find it interesting lately, that Andy Stanley (a great communicator) has departed from what his dad taught was really so. It has </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">saddened me. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I believe Andy wants to help people like his dad did so well (using Scripture in love, and some thing Andy says are true), but Andy's not been helping the confused of Atlanta these days with all their confusion. We can learn here. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Andy now argues, </span><i style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>“If your theology gets in the way of ministry--like if there’s somebody you can’t minister to because of your theology—you have the wrong theology." </b></i></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here my note for Andy (who again to be fair, has taught several biblical things in the past, as well as his false stuff lately): <i><b>If you are an authentic believer (only God sees the heart to judge) and personally have theology coming from the Bible, (yes sound biblical theology), then there is no human that you cannot minister the word, love and grace of God to unless they are totally closed to receiving biblical <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>ministry. </b></i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">All of us need to be willing to humbly repent if we are found off/in error in an area.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">There is zero spiritual growth apart from the living Word of God. Do you tactfully minister the word with His tender grace to people or merely your own ideas and opinions? The Bible says...</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Desire the Sincere Milk of the Word, That Ye May Grow Thereby," </b>1 Peter 2: 2</i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"All Scripture Is Given by Inspiration of God," </b>2 Tim. 3:16-17</i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">When the regeneration inside (<a href="https://godlife.com/en/look_to_jesus">the born-again transformation of salvation</a>) takes place in a repentant sinner, then spiritual growth begins. The Holy Spirit indwells us (John 14:16-17). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old, sinful nature begins to give way to the new, Christlike nature (Romans 6-7). Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that depends on our study and application of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and our walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). </span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-growth.html" target="_blank">What about spiritual growth and how to grow</a>? </i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/angels-male-female.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Are angels male or female?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>If there is a Father, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/mother-god.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;">is there a mother god?</a></i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-gender.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Is the Holy Spirit a “He,” “She,” or “It,” male, female, or neuter? </i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-male-female.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;">Is God male or female?</a></i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-hate-gays.html " target="_blank">Does God hate people with same-sex-attraction? No. Does He hate gay, bi, tranny, or other LGBTQ people? No. Does he hate any destructive sexual sin that destroys? Yes</a>. </i></span></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">God still loves all people, and He's the God of second chances too. </span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-save-everyone.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why doesn’t God save everyone?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/neither-male-nor-female.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>What does it mean that there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28)?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-love-people-in-hell.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Does God love the people who are in hell?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="Why does it sometimes seem like God hates me? Does God love me or hate me? URL: https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-hate-me.html" target="_blank">When circumstances change, why does it sometimes feel like, or seem like God hates me? Does God love me or hate me</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Listen friend, you are not your temptations. You are not your (opposite or same sex) attraction. You are not your confusion. You are not your past sinful failures. You are not unsaveable if you're reading this. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What to do: <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">Humbly, repent, and believe in Jesus</a> with your own words (on the Father's terms instead by your own terms). Jesus is the Father's only Solution to man's sin problems of any Land or era. He with His good news is for you. With babies that are born (hermaphrodite, that old term from the Middle Ages), I mean with "ambiguous genitalia" please know that they each are still either male or female. Their respective DNA is not confused.</span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/theology-proper.html" target="_blank">What's up with proper theology</a>? </i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/hermaphrodites.html" target="_blank"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">What does God have to say about hermaphrodites, about "</span>ambiguous genitalia", and </a><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/hermaphrodites.html" target="_blank">the so called "intersexed</a>"? Man, I know the Fall of man has ill-affected so much and I feel for parents who wonder about their kids who have grown up only to live confused, but what is the cause of all this. </span></i></span></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pedophilia.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does the Bible teach us about child porn and pedophilia? Never ever be involved with this. You are to protect all people</a>. </span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/bestiality.html" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about bestiality a.k.a. zoophilia? Why is bestiality so strongly condemned in Scripture</a>?</span></i></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">We as people must clearly have an understanding of what God expects and hates (according to His word).. so that we will fail to have a misunderstanding.. okay? Parents need to make things very clear as well, so if a teacher of their children doesn't get it (and so many don't today..), then their children will immediately know and stay safe. </span></i></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-abuse.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What is the cause of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church?</span></i></a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-brokenness.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Is there a biblical fix for sexual brokenness in this rapidly collapsing culture?</span></i></a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a href="https://podcast.gotquestions.org/episode-150.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Is the Bible being misinterpreted? It's sin simple as that.</span></i></a></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/arsenokoitai.html" target="_blank">Does the Greek word arsenokoitai in 1 Corinthians 6:9 really mean “homosexuals” or something else</a>?</i></span></span></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(132, 110, 78), rgb(153, 98, 91)); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; left: -10px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.2em 0.4em; position: absolute; text-transform: uppercase; top: 24px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h4></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/LGBTQ-persecution.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>How should Christians react to persecution against the LGBTQ community?</b></i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Westboro-Baptist-Church.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>What is Westboro Baptist Church?</b></i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/marriage-equality.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Why are Christians opposed to marriage equality?</b></i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-homosexuality.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>If homosexuality is a sin, why didn’t Jesus ever mention it?</b></i></span></a></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-wedding.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Should a Christian attend the wedding of a gay couple?</b></i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-wedding.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></i></a><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/hermaphrodites.html" style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_blank">What about so-called Hermaphrodites, do they exist</a><span style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">?</span></b></span></i></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-marriage.html" target="_blank">Does God now approve of gay marriage? His word clearly teaches NO on this. All sins are destructive, so let's stick with God's word.</a> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span>What's interesting to me.. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">all the evidence contained in Scripture fully agrees that God has opted to reveal Himself to mankind.. to people.. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-male-female.html" target="_blank">in a male form</a>. He must have His good reasons cuz He is good. </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(132, 110, 78), rgb(153, 98, 91)); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 20px; left: -10px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.2em 0.4em; position: absolute; text-transform: uppercase; top: 24px; white-space-collapse: collapse;">S</h4></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-the-mother.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is it biblical to refer to God as God the mother?</b></i></span></a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-Bible-sexist.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is the one God of the Bible.. sexist? No.</b></i></span></a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-gender.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is the Holy Spirit a “He,” “She,” or “It,” male, female, or neuter?</b></i></span></a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/masculine-pronouns-God.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Since God is not male, should we stop using masculine pronouns to refer to God?</b></i></span></a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-mother.html" style="display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is there a heavenly mother?</b></i></span></a></span></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOzRiHCioRPNFBhNICUrPFSuPrcarrkw1_Z0CfbA8TyVnM1rXO8JSHvtfUHS5THZ8OVSyv5l1_zKyMRm_YoqVqi2yW2ulephaGBU_umWJTLjInqtVevuLHWuTrS7WhpcOu6icYAwfWQnlEdz9GIDEJ3Vf3PiKshJiGxkyjf8JFIdLa_kpb7JJAhBWjdq6O" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2070" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOzRiHCioRPNFBhNICUrPFSuPrcarrkw1_Z0CfbA8TyVnM1rXO8JSHvtfUHS5THZ8OVSyv5l1_zKyMRm_YoqVqi2yW2ulephaGBU_umWJTLjInqtVevuLHWuTrS7WhpcOu6icYAwfWQnlEdz9GIDEJ3Vf3PiKshJiGxkyjf8JFIdLa_kpb7JJAhBWjdq6O=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Shardayyy</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-androgyny.html" style="font-family: georgia; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">What does the Bible say about androgyny?</span></i></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/female-genital-mutilation.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-homophobic.html" target="_blank">Are so-called Christians really homophobic? Some have not been loving, but afraid of? I've actually not met one yet</a>.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>"A MAN MAY REFORM HIMSELF VERY MUCH, HE MAY CAST AWAY MANY VICES, FORSAKE MANY LUSTS IN WHICH HE INDULGED, AND CONQUER EVIL HABITS; BUT NO MAN IN THE WORLD CAN MAKE HIMSELF TO <a href="http://www.knowGod.org">BE BORN OF GOD</a>; HE COULD NEVER ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS BEYOND HIS POWER." ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon </div></div></blockquote></blockquote>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-20922312746844415722023-12-23T09:49:00.012-06:002023-12-23T14:34:25.234-06:00 Indifference Stinks During Any Season Of The Year.. Yes, At Christmas Time Too. Let's Live Fervently-Warmhearted (Prayerful), Attentively-Ardent.. Actually Authentic, And Conscientiously-Concerned For All People. <p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel." </b></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">—Matthew 2:6</span></span></p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember how the theological experts of Jesus' day, were the so-called guardians of spiritual truth in Israel. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember how the religious leaders wouldn’t even bother to walk a few miles to Bethlehem to go check out if the Messiah had really been born.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When King Herod heard from the wise men about a <i><b>“newborn king of the Jews”</b></i> (Matthew 2:2 NLT), he summoned the chief priests and scribes and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, <i><b>“In Bethlehem in Judea ..for this is what the prophet had written: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel’”</b></i> (see verses 5–6 NLT).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">They knew the answer. In fact, from the text, it almost appears like they knew it right away. So why weren’t they looking for the Messiah in Bethlehem? It wasn't far away, their city of Jerusalem over to Bethlehem. They could have gone there, but they were indifferent inside.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some foreign dignitaries came on the scene locally from the far East, claiming to have seen a star that led them to that very area, and the One they were seeking was called a "king.”</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">They had inquired. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Bible says,<i><b> "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'"</b></i> Matthew 2:1-2</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Did all that pique the religious leaders’ minds and curiosity? Did it cause wonder and inquiry? Nope. They didn’t have the time for that, so they didn't do anything. They simply told King Herod that Bethlehem was where the Messiah would be born.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It would appear that Herod feared Jesus’ authority. But what about these religious leaders? They already felt they knew better. They thought they knew all the answers from the Scriptures (it's certainly good to study to find out the answers), yet these folk did nothing in response. Was their studying leading them to wise applications of Scripture? Did it lead them to get right inside and have softened hearts? These men stayed cold, distracted, and indifferent. They simply stayed too busy with themselves and their Jewish hierarchy to feel concerned about Jesus and what the Father in Heaven was even doing.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">After Jesus began His public ministry in the area, the spiritually dead religious Jewish leaders became His principal adversaries. Our sins (and we all have sinned) put Christ upon the Cross at Calvary. But think about how it played out. For all practical purposes on how that was carried out, these religious men were responsible for His execution. They must have felt that Jesus was a real threat to their religious structure on how they wanted things done there. How did this upstart quickly gain so much influence among the people!? These small "leaders" couldn't control Christ by fear or by anything in their world of spiritual manipulation.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did they do with Him? They wanted to act shrewdly, practically, and politically so they sent Christ to Pilate. It was from envy they did this. They were jealous of His spiritual authority (no mere human had such authority as Christ's). </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">They were grumpy, grippy, too stiff, and crochety -- unflexable. God was doing a new thing in their midst according to old prophecies and they were at all not ready for this. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Most of them at least didn't even want to be. They liked things the way they were and got ticked off inside at the idea of change. Maybe not all of them were ticked, but many felt resentful about how the masses of people were excited and loved Jesus. They hung on His every word of truth taught. And the religious leaders were very jealous that He seemed to have an intimate (even blessed) relationship with God the Father that they totally lacked. What in this world is more important than having this first-hand relationship with God. NOTHING, null, nada, zero even comes close. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Q: Do you lack this intimacy with God during Christmas time? You don't have to. Do you need a second chance in this broken world when none else here feels you should have that? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you somehow grown cooler or lukewarm spiritually? Have you been burned by so-called Christians or leaders? Was there a time in the past when you walked closer to Jesus? Come close again! God can heal and strengthen you. Be refilled with His Spirit. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'” Matthew 11:28-30 nlt </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Christmas season is all about a compassionate (non-indifferent kind of) God of second chances. There's only One God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Son of God, Jesus came here in love for us. He was born to die in your place (and in my place) to pay the penalty for our sins. You've heard this--it's true! </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God isn't stiff and religious--never has been. Has dead religion made you feel bored out of your gord? It did that to me (in the so-called Roman Church) for 17 years of my life. It wasn't about a healthy relationship with God, it was more a sick-controlling situation-ship.. that kept a far away Pope happy. Just sayin'.</span></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj78pl50VVSxgqC6_-TDouQoM4AuAyNJNP7752JO64ZzKmfj8TyL-5Q3bnPMhf2S_q1S5__6WhPKcuqQCSPYstHOXLW-19iP6Y54trFDgOSbAqWDPNObwAnprhbITcubPHLow5KWUexlZU6egFjfe9i7idyYbWUR6PQh5Bn5v8p-yqOKsiG_SeFqRshprVk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj78pl50VVSxgqC6_-TDouQoM4AuAyNJNP7752JO64ZzKmfj8TyL-5Q3bnPMhf2S_q1S5__6WhPKcuqQCSPYstHOXLW-19iP6Y54trFDgOSbAqWDPNObwAnprhbITcubPHLow5KWUexlZU6egFjfe9i7idyYbWUR6PQh5Bn5v8p-yqOKsiG_SeFqRshprVk=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ditch it, run (don't walk) to Christ in humble repentance and faith. He will forgive, cleanse, sanctify in His Word, and gently lead you to a healthy local church with real believers who will lovingly edify you with what is so.. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">He is all for raising you up, and raising others up too. He cares about you and your friends. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus wisely addressed these leaders later on, saying to them, <i><b>“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’”</b></i> (Mark 7:6 nlt).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">These hard-hearted men had been sort of looking for a completely different type of Messiah. They were non-responsive, arrogant, and unrepentant. They had been looking for someone who would support their intricate, overly complicated, boring religious system and their preferred way of living. They wanted a more lux lifestyle and a Messiah who showed more respect towards their way of having all that. They desired to keep controlling the "ignorant commoners" of their day. They wanted a Messiah who would help them have it their way and would cater to their every vain or stupid whim. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are a lot of people like this today. Sadly in some so-called churches. They want Jesus, but do they want the real Jesus of the Bible? They desire Christ but on their own terms. They want the kind of Christ whom they can control, the kind of Jesus who won’t challenge them or be Lord of all.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The religious leaders knew God the Father’s Scriptures (to a degree and were not humbly teachable). Yet they did not know His heart at all, and they did nothing to meet God the Father's living Savior walking before them. Please don’t completely miss the (Bible) Christ of Christmas this year, as those religious leaders did. Religion and ritual kept them from Jesus. It's really about relationships, not religion. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/is-God-cruel.html" target="_blank">Is God cold, cruel, mean and/or religious? Nope, far from! Does God have callous indifference to people, or take pleasure in, causing pain and suffering</a>?</div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-apathy.html" target="_blank">Is there a way to </a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-apathy.html" target="_blank">overcome spiritual apathy? Why am I so apathetic about my spirituality</a>?</div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/war-on-Christmas.html" target="_blank">Sup with this so-called “war on Christmas”? How should Christians respond? </a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/war-on-Christmas.html" target="_blank">Why are some people so strongly opposed to celebrating Christmas</a>? </div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;">I love Christmas time. Do you <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas.html" target="_blank">have some q</a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas.html" target="_blank">uestions about Christmas</a>? Does <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/why-celebrate-Christmas.html" target="_blank">the Bible teach Christians to celebrate Christmas</a>?</div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-Christmas.html" target="_blank">Christians should indeed celebrate Christmas, but when? I like to all year long really. Does the Bible teach Christians to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ</a>?</div></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/misanthropy-misanthropic.html" target="_blank">What does God say about misanthropy (the dislike of humans)? What does it fully mean to be misanthropic</a>?</div></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/honor-abusive-parent.html" target="_blank">Do we honor an abusive parent.. really? Sure, there are smart ways to do that. What responsibility do adult children each have regarding a relationship with their parents</a>?</div></div></i></span></span></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/missing-church.html" target="_blank">What are some appropriate reasons for missing church.. and totally missing churches that ignore the Bible (that's a good reason in itself)? What are valid excuses to miss church</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Laodicea-in-the-Bible.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i>What is the significance of Laodicea in the Bible?</i></span></a></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i>What is <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Laodicea-in-the-Bible.html" target="_blank">the significance of Laodicea in the Bible</a>? What does the Bible say about the city of Laodicea?</i></span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/let-dead-bury-dead.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What did Jesus mean when He said “Let the dead bury the dead” (Luke 9:60)?</a> Are lost people really dead spiritually? Yes. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/let-dead-bury-dead.html" target="_blank">Aren’t Jesus’ words “let the dead bury the dead” kind of harsh? Nope</a>, we each have limited time to do what we are called to do, right? </i></span></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-love-sleep.html">Why does the Bible tell us to not love sleep</a>? What is the meaning of <a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Proverbs/20/Proverbs-20-13.html" rel="ESV.Proverbs.20.13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Proverbs 20:13</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why do I have trials and pains <a href="https://www.fish4souls.org/2015/11/it-could-someday-arrive-at-your-address.html" target="_blank">as I seek to walk with Jesus?</a> </i></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march/christian-martyrs-numbers-down-by-half-in-decade-or-are-the.html" target="_blank">there have been more than 800,000 Christians killed in the 2010s. And that was significantly lower than the 1.6 million Christians killed in the 2000s</a>, according to the center’s most recent report. It's been said that there have been </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/modern-persecution-11630665.html" target="_blank">documented cases of over 26 million Christian martyrs from AD 33 to 1900</a>. That's a conservative number. </span></i></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/blood-martyrs-seed-church.html" target="_blank">What does it mean that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church</a>”?</i></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-different.html" target="_blank">How is Jesus different from other religious leaders? How is Jesus different from all the other supposed saviors in the world</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/scribes-and-Pharisees.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13–36?</a> Why were the <a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/scribes-and-Pharisees.html" target="_blank">scribes and Pharisees so strongly opposed to Jesus</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/stoning-of-Stephen.html" target="_blank">With that stoning of Stephen - - why were the Jews allowed to stone him to death, but had to go through Pilate to kill Jesus</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pray-for-leaders.html" target="_blank">How and why should we pray for our leaders? Why is it important for us to pray for our leaders</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-woes.html" target="_blank">What are the seven woes of <span style="text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;">Matthew 23</span>? What is the meaning of the seven woes that Jesus pronounced against the scribes and Pharisees</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_altblock" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-but-not-religious.html" target="_blank">What does it mean to be spiritual but not religious? Why is spirituality viewed more positively than religion</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/blind-leading-the-blind.html" target="_blank">What is the significance of Jesus saying, </a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/blind-leading-the-blind.html" target="_blank">“The blind leading the blind</a>”? What is the meaning of <a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/15/Matthew-15-14.html" rel="ESV.Matthew.15.14" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Matthew 15:14</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_block" style="clear: left; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/increase-my-faith.html" target="_blank">Despite what saints or sinners do to us, or don't do for us.. how can I stay focused on Jesus (instead of on them) and increase in biblical faith? How do I participate in building real faith? How can I develop more faith and trust in God, His promises, and the entirety of His Word</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="goog_1614824740"><img data-original-height="2961" data-original-width="1976" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVEyrVS7UxZMZ5hhmwc-Dlug07J4bM4sv76VP6WNHF_ZoCVWDeKvXjzgK1sJqV_WpevVBrw1W5yVLeqKZUvusngaH5EgyjXd7HGBFBuGhHodTxVM5u82qmo-RmFPVd_9M88wQTuUQ2XUh-G8ZKfLzjwXY9Ri8W2joUEyX8Yn1OaGnL2KIWOI6UM237twp-=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photos by Daniel Seßler Unsplash</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you been smeared firsthand (or perhaps secondhand), or dissed by the religious power-hungry? So sorry. Brush it off and go forward. Far worse happened to our Lord. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>As this culture in these Western countries continues to colapse, much <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-persecution.html" target="_blank">worse will happen to last-days Christians soon enough -- live ready.</a> The Lord's grace will be sufficient. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/momentary-light-affliction.html" target="_blank">Why does Paul call his difficulties in Christ a “momentary, light affliction</a>”? What exactly is the meaning of <a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/4/2-Corinthians-4-17.html" rel="ESV.2 Corinthians.4.17" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:17</a>?</div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></div></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href=" https://www.gotquestions.org/not-lose-heart.html" target="_blank">How can we as believers be encourated, and not lose heart</a>? What is the meaning of<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/4/2-Corinthians-4-16.html" rel="ESV.2 Corinthians.4.16" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank"> verse 16</a>?</div></div></i></span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"Be steadfast, unmovable always abounding, excelling in the work of the Lord for you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain." </b></i>I Corinthians 15:58</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>“Whatever your state of mind is this Christmas, this abundant life is yours when you believe in Christ and place your faith in the God of peace—Jesus.” </i></b>~ Jack N. Graham </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Please gain Christ today inside, onboard (He gets it, totally understands you. loves you and has a good plan. It happened to Him too), and He by His Spirit will give you helpful Bible knowledge, wise applications, and a heart for people as they come to Christ due to your caring influence. <a href="http://www.KnowGod.org" target="_blank">Don't plan on first cleaning up your life to come to God.. just come as you are willing to cooperate with His Spirit and Word</a>. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Fisher (Jesus) catches His fish so to speak and then He cleans them. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here's a good Christmas report: W</span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">e just saw 901 decisions made for Christ (individual professions of faith after the unique altar call)! Yes, this happened with excellence, glory to God! <b>Worshipping Him acceptably, and boldly sharing His gospel is what this holiday is to be about! </b></span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"We never know who will walk through the doors for the Gift of Christmas </b>(that's the name of the evangelistic production with over 1,000 volunteers in it that over 75,000 people come to experience each year..)<b>, but it’s always our prayer that they will hear the Gospel message and that by the Holy Spirit they will come to trust in the Lord. As we are celebrating with those who have made a decision, please pray for them as they begin a new life in Christ."</b></i> ~<a href="https://twitter.com/jackngraham/status/1734289534165111045" target="_blank">Jack N. Graham</a></span><a href="https://twitter.com/jackngraham/status/1734289534165111045" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><br />Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-17322836148521705162023-12-20T09:48:00.010-06:002023-12-23T14:45:17.704-06:00Jesus "works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" believer. He really loves His church! "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him". Remember when Christ told Peter, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 esv<span style="font-family: georgia;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="695" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FShareJesus%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0o2yACug5aRY9fBC2n4ewmpvujKSvmNx4oVGjXTeGzQNyFatCrgu9RaCBXR8uDbjl&show_text=true&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;">The devil does not fear any big or little church per se.. if the leadership and the people in it are proud and prayerless. He doesn't fear any believer who is proud, prayerless and doesn't resist him either. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;">Liney and I have been in some small healthy, and small unhealthy.. in some BIG healthy churches (where they really care adhering to the Bible Christ, to the essentials and to Scripture). We've also been in some BIG unhealthy local churches (who go against the Essentials and could give a flip about people but love dead religion or money more).</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"'..</b></i></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." </b></i>James 4:6b-8</span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/healthy-church.html" target="_blank">How can I distinguish a healthy local church from an unhealthy one? What are the signs of a truly healthy church</a>?</i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/overcome-pride.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">How can I overcome pride?</a> Does <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-Bible.html" target="_blank">God have something to say about this? Yes</a>. </i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>BTW The rainbow is God's. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-Bible.html" target="_blank">He is holy and wants us all to walk humbly</a> with His Son Jesus. </i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>What is the pride of life? In a good sense, I feel proud of all the many good things my country (Americans) has done for people in other Lands, but I don't want to live arrogantly like I am better than others because I am an American (our Land needs Christian missionaries right now). <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-of-life.html" target="_blank">Is it wrong to have pride in the good things that you have accomplished</a>? Believer, do we give the glory to God? </i></div></div></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/those-who-walk-in-pride.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What happens to those who walk in pride (Daniel 4:37)?</i></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-hubris.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What does God say about hubris?</a></i></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-goes-before-a-fall.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What does it mean that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)?</i></a></div></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/one-church.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is there supposed to be only one church?</span></i></a></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-pastor.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Is it biblically allowable by God for a pastor to be gay?</a> God in the Bible clearly teaches that this is not biblical. </span></i></p><h4 style="background: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(132, 110, 78), rgb(153, 98, 91)) rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 2px; color: white; left: -10px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0.2em 0.4em; position: absolute; text-transform: uppercase; top: 24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>ES</i></span></h4><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-friends.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Should a Christian have gay friends?</i></span></a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/born-gay.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Can a person really be born gay?</i></span></a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/is-being-gay-a-sin.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Is gay sex a sin? Yes. Explain, is it really a sin to live the gay-lifestyle?</i></span></a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gay-wedding.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Should a Christian attend the wedding of a gay couple?</i></span></a><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/out-of-the-closet.html" style="background-color: white; display: list-item; line-height: calc(1.4 * var(--line-height)); margin-bottom: var(--space); margin-left: var(--gutter); margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How should a Christian act toward a friend who comes out of the closet (as gay)?</i></span></a></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">God loves all of us, sinners. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/do-gay-people-go-to-heaven.html " target="_blank">Okay, so I want to know how gay people can go to heaven instead of to HE-double-hockey-sticks where we want no one going! Yeah, it's the same way for all of us sinners.. through real repentance and faith in Christ. Does being gay have anything to do with determining one’s eternal destiny</a>?</span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Got some more <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions_church.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">questions about the Church?</a></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-tradition.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Should Catholic tradition have equal or greater authority than the Bible?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/home-church.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is a home church a true biblical church?</span></i></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; color: #081c2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/LGBTQ-persecution.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">How should Christians react to persecution against the LGBTQ community?</span></i></a></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/9Marks.html" target="_blank">Is the "9Marks" series biblically sound for local churches? Sup with the 9Marks series -- is that really a biblical model for church growth</a>?</i></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/church-culture.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What is church culture? What contributes to the culture of a church?</a> What does it mean that different churches have different church cultures?</i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/church-community-group.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What is a healthy smaller church community group, care group, life group?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/church-growth.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What does the Bible say about church growth?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.blog/pride-sin.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Why is pride a sin?</a></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/right-hand-of-fellowship.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/church-in-Philippi.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">What is the history and significance of the church in Philippi?</a></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/liturgy-liturgical.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What does the Bible say about liturgy? Should a Christian participate in liturgical worship?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/ethnic-church.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>Are mono-ethnic churches, churches that focus on a specific race or ethnic group, following a biblical model?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/National-Council-of-Churches.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What is the National Council of Churches?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="result_title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/mega-church.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i>What are the pros and cons of attending a mega-church? Are there healthy ones? Yes, there are some?</i></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><br /></i></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/dead-church.html" target="_blank">How can I recognize a spiritually dead church, and sadly there are many of them? What are the signs that a church is dying or dead</a>?</i></div></div></div></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="infoline" style="font-size: 19.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-70399529872728029212023-12-18T10:39:00.004-06:002023-12-20T08:21:49.812-06:00It's Christmas the time to turn to, and invite God in. There was no place for Jesus in the Inn nor was there anywhere in this world that He created. Sadly, there's been no place that worldly people would have Him except on a lonely cross at Calvary...<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">..and then in a borrowed tomb ..temporarily. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">Born to live here (as thee good Example, yes, as God the Son from all eternity past). Born to teach us solid truth and how to wisely apply it. Born to die (in my place and in yours) and to live again.. that Christ and what Christmas is about. The Bible says,</span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"The people who walk in darkness<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">will see a great light.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For those who live in a land of deep darkness,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">a light will shine.</span></b></i></span></blockquote><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></b></i><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You will enlarge the nation of Israel,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and its people will rejoice.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They will rejoice before you<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">as people rejoice at the harvest<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and like warriors dividing the plunder.</span></b></i></span></blockquote><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></b></i><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For you will break the yoke of their slavery<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You will break the oppressor’s rod,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.</span></b></i></span></blockquote><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></b></i><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The boots of the warrior<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and the uniforms bloodstained by war<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">will all be burned.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They will be fuel for the fire.</span></b></i></span></blockquote><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></b></i><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For a child is born to us,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">a son is given to us.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The government will rest on his shoulders.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And he will be called:<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</span></b></i></span></blockquote><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /></span></b></i><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">His government and its peace<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">will never end.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">for all eternity.<br /></span></b></i><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies<br /></span></b></i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>will make this happen!" </b></i>Isaiah 9:2 (this child = mighty God. I've been collecting Christmas verses related to soul-winning below).</span></span></blockquote><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="2070" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglB4rxCTJOsi0NfaeAo_yDKPsRcGd63lPET_TzKHXGeNy6mFGhiY_jE-PTF5GlwsoXw04X1_KLgaPydNo7fwMOM43CroDRKS9S7hZ57FpGKSONRGk2tUoLrCbO3K1UOXwmhR6yVh4VupkfddtKwbqDTQJ2iJjLr6T3fllMH2nm2omPo6XEXhS1COa1c7HA=w400-h266" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Gareth Harper</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”</b></i> Luke 2:7</span></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">It seems there is no room for Christ with the kings, and </span><span style="background-color: white;">no room for Christ in politics or "in regal halls.</span></span></i></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 12.5px; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">'When the Eternal bows the skies<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To visit earthly things,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With scorn divine he turns his eyes<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />From towers of haughty kings.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />He bids his awful chariot roll<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Far downward from the skies,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To visit every humble soul<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With pleasure in his eyes.'</span></b></i></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><div>'The advent of Christ would be the last thing which gay society would desire. Folly and finery, rank and honour, jewels and glitter, frivolity and fashion, all report that there is no room for Jesus in their abodes.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no room for Jesus in the mart or the shop (yes, for most employees they do NOT want you speaking of Him in the workplace).</div><div><br /></div><div>'Who is Christ, that we should acknowledge him?' They found no room for him in the schools.</div><div><br /></div><div>Too often in the priestly church, when once it becomes recognized and mounts to dignity, there is no room for Christ. I allude not now to any one denomination but take the whole sweep of Christendom, and it is strange that when the Lord comes to his own his own receives him not..</div><div><br /></div><div>You will find that there is no room for Christ even in the inn of public sentiment, where everything else is received. Be an infidel, and none will therefore treat you contemptuously, but be a Christian, and many will despise you. 'There was no room for him in the inn.' How little room is there for Christ, too, in general conversation, which is also like an inn. We talk about many things; a man may now-a-days talk of any subject he pleases; no one can stop him and say, 'There is a spy catching your words; he will report you to some central authority.'</div><div><br /></div>Seems there is 'no room for Christ in what is called good society,'" </i>says Spurgeon</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3HI0s2rHea3JyOb9dfJXYYijdM46fxQCj3YUTBhTKQMq2LU1z3z3JgD8k75PHQnJVQrIz5z2oGBXwzqHp_2cTlysXmUeAjoRYtC6DXoHQbsXU_k_UNPx1bj4V4zy0ww3eUZJ96mOphF9nr-YpkxjXEe3vmDNEZTcLtBG9Op7LIm-4zhrY5z_Wgfhhor5Y" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="2099" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3HI0s2rHea3JyOb9dfJXYYijdM46fxQCj3YUTBhTKQMq2LU1z3z3JgD8k75PHQnJVQrIz5z2oGBXwzqHp_2cTlysXmUeAjoRYtC6DXoHQbsXU_k_UNPx1bj4V4zy0ww3eUZJ96mOphF9nr-YpkxjXEe3vmDNEZTcLtBG9Op7LIm-4zhrY5z_Wgfhhor5Y=w400-h259" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Josh Harrison</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">I say we </span><a href="http://www.knowGod.org" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">make room for Him here and now</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">“<i><b><a href="https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/no-room-for-christ-in-the-inn/#flipbook/" target="_blank">Joy to the world the Saviour comes,</a></b></i></span><i><b><a href="https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/no-room-for-christ-in-the-inn/#flipbook/" target="_blank"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">The Saviour promised long;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Let every heart prepare a throne</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;" /></a></b></i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/no-room-for-christ-in-the-inn/#flipbook/" target="_blank">And every voice a song</a></b></i>.”</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">"<a href="https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/no-room-for-christ-in-the-inn/#flipbook/" target="_blank">There were other places beside the Inn which had no room for Christ</a>. The palaces of emperors and the halls of kings afforded the royal stranger no refuge? Alas! my brethren, seldom is there room for Christ in palaces! How could the kings of earth receive the Lord? He is the Prince of Peace, and they delight in war! He breaks their bows and cuts their spears in sunder; he burneth their war-chariots in the fire." ~ C.H. Spurgeon </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoGZzhaniRE3hReCdVPQPAboFdun_46fpDgBD2z0e1XCMItleDPzzWA2DCfFrpsgpGFCQEO0oJni-FxV_nBHOoPA8-WwpqcD7-evAHY1xqGzEqgDW9mXpoETWIgjCH2Lyrt5YL0OjaDTj-p3qdDMX5QvCunw70Bpt6MiektjJfRDwTIoo36FSpKyS0OyCE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="523" data-original-width="1043" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoGZzhaniRE3hReCdVPQPAboFdun_46fpDgBD2z0e1XCMItleDPzzWA2DCfFrpsgpGFCQEO0oJni-FxV_nBHOoPA8-WwpqcD7-evAHY1xqGzEqgDW9mXpoETWIgjCH2Lyrt5YL0OjaDTj-p3qdDMX5QvCunw70Bpt6MiektjJfRDwTIoo36FSpKyS0OyCE=w400-h200" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Joanna Kosinska</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/suffering-for-Christ.html" target="_blank">Have you ever been excluded due to your love for Jesus</a> -- ever suffered in His name?</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/cross-theology.html" target="_blank">At the cross so to speak a fallen human being can gain the clear understanding that is the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at conversion</a> (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/12/1-Corinthians-12-13.html" rel="ESV.1 Corinthians.12.13" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:13</a><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/8/Romans-8-9.html" rel="ESV.Romans.8.9" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 8:9</a><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/1/Ephesians-1-13.html" rel="ESV.Ephesians.1.13-14" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:13-14</a><span style="background-color: white;">). </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Was Jesus forsaken by His Father? No, never was. Jesus (like His Father) always remains a faithful loving companion to His own, a friend who sticks closer than a brother.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Did God the Father distance Himself from His own Son Jesus while Christ was dying on the cross? Nope. Did it more than likely feel like the Father forsook Him? I think it really did.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Now compare Matt. 27:46, Mrk. 15:24, Ps. 22:24, Jn. 8:29 & Jn. 16:32.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-style: italic;">“And about the ninth hour innocent Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” </b>(</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-46.html" rel="KJV.Matthew.27.46" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Matthew 27:46, KJV</a><span style="background-color: white;">). This cry is a fulfillment of </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/22/Psalms-22-1.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.22.1" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 22:1</a><span style="background-color: white;">, one of many parallels between that psalm and the specific events of the crucifixion.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Was it the intent of Jesus, in quoting </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/22/Psalms-22-1.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.22.1" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 22:1</a><span style="background-color: white;"> to point His hearers, toward that Old Testiment psalm? I think so. When they read </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/22/Psalms-chapter-22.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.22" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 22</a><span style="background-color: white;">, they would without a doubt see the many fulfilled prophecies included in that song of David. Jesus was forgiving, loving and teaching even while experiencing the agony of the cross.. proving yet again that <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/forsaken-me.html" target="_blank">He indeed was the Messiah who fulfilled the Scriptures</a>.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">God <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/forsaken-me.html" target="_blank">the F</a></span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/forsaken-me.html" target="_blank">ather did NOT forsake Jesus</a> while He was on the cross. And God won't forsake you, believer. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Through so much pain for us. On the cross, Christ cried out, <i><b>“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” </b></i>(See Mrk. 15:34 & Matt. </span><span style="background-color: white;">27:46</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">nkjv). Some would suggest that Jesus was having a crisis of faith. Actually, it was the opposite.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was the moment when He was dying for the sins of the world, and He was describing what was happening: God the Father turned His holy face away and poured the sins of all humanity on His son, who had never committed a single sin. So Jesus cried out in anguish. Was Jesus forsaken so that we might be forgiven?.. He died that we might be.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Notice that Jesus said, “My God, My God,” which means that Jesus was crying out to the Father. In faith you and I can do the same when we’re in pain. When we’re hurting, grieving, mourning, troubled.. we should pray earnestly. We should pray when we’re happy too, when we’re sad, and when we feel confused. We should pray when we have complaints.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Bible tells us, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13 nkjv).</span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>"</i></b></span><b><i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.</span><span style="background-color: white;">." </span></i></b><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/22-24.htm" target="_blank">See Psalm 22 in context</a>, verses 1-24 esv</span></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All offspring of Israel, revere Him! For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He has not hidden His face from him, but has attended to his cry for help."</b></i> kjv</span><br /></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>"He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” </b></i></span><span style="background-color: white;">John 8:29 </span></span><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"</b></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."</b></i> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John 16:32</span><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Q: What does it NOT mean -- <i><b>“God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us"</b></i>?</span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>- This does not mean that Jesus actually became sin itself. </i></b>To posit such a theory denies all of Scripture, which clearly presents Jesus Christ as the One in whom there is no sin (1 John 3:5), who commits no sin (1 Peter 2:22), and who is holy, blameless, and pure (Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; Revelation 3:7). For Jesus to “become” sin, even for a moment, would mean He ceased to be God. </span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>- This does not mean that He became a sinner, not even for a moment. </b></i>Jesus to this day is the wretched Friend of sinners like me. When Christ suffered in our place and died for us, He bore the punishment for our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24). But Jesus at no time became a sinner. He's still the Savior. </span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>- This does not mean He was guilty of committing any sin. </i></b>No one is truly guilty who has not transgressed the law of God, which Jesus never did. If He were guilty of sinning, then He would have deserved to die, but He did not deserve death on Calvary's cross. Even the religious Pharisees who were dead inside sent Jesus to the cross knowing that He was totally guiltless: “And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed” (Acts 13:28).</span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus became sin for us, but that does not at all mean that Jesus was sin..ever, or evil, or a sinner, or even guilty of any sin. </span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Please muse on the second part of 2 Corinthians 5:21. It was: <i><b>“So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” </b></i>That's <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/imputed-righteousness.html" target="_blank">all about imputation. You know how to impute something means to ascribe or attribute it to someone</a>. On the cross, our own sin (yours and mine) was imputed to Christ and that's how Christ paid in full for our sin debt to God the Father. </span></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><div><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."</b></i> 2 Corinthians 5:21 nlt</span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">How holy is God? He's HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! Please read the book of Habakkuk! The prophet says to God, <i><b>“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil”</b></i> (Habakkuk 1:13, csb). What does that not mean? It doesn't mean that God must close His eyes or turn His back when people start to sin (he sees us and knows what we think, say and do). It is, rather, a recognition of God’s righteous character, and contextually, it's part of a larger discussion really.. of God’s personal methods in dealing with sin.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-look-upon-sin.html">What about the sins that were placed on Jesus at the time when He died on the cross</a>?</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">Did God the Father glance away when they were laid on Him? </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;">Did the Father forsake His own Son Jesus? No, and the union with Jesus was not broken.</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]." </b></i>2 Corinthians 5:21 amp</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Simply put, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-died-for-our-sins.html" target="_blank">without Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life</a>. Jesus Himself said, <i><b>“</b></i></span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/way-truth-life.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><b>I am the way and the truth and the life</b></i></a><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>. No one comes to the Father except through me” </b></i>(</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/John/14/John-14-6.html" rel="ESV.John.14.6" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">John 14:6</a><span style="background-color: white;">). He's the only way into God's holy Heaven. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus said, <i><b>“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it”</b></i> (Matthew 7:13–14 nlt).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God said, <i><b>“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”</b></i> (Deuteronomy 30:19 nlt).</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not only does God the Father tell us what our options are, but He also gives us the answer.. "Choose life." But remember, it is a choice. God offers it as a gift.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Many Americans miss it by thinking that, since Christ died for the sins of the world, everyone will go to heaven one day. This is incorrect. The <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/atonement-theories.html" target="_blank">atoning substitutionary death of Christ </a>must be personally applied to each heart, in much the same way that the blood of the Passover had to be personally applied to the door (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/John/1/John-1-12.html" rel="ESV.John.1.12" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">John 1:12</a><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/John/3/John-3-16.html" rel="ESV.John.3.16-18" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">3:16-18</a><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/2/Acts-2-38.html" rel="ESV.Acts.2.38" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Acts 2:38</a><span style="background-color: white;">). Before we can become <i><b>“the righteousness of God in Him,” </b></i>we must exchange our old sin nature for His holy one. <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank"></a>, but we must receive that Substitute <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">personally by accepting Christ</a> in faith (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/2/Ephesians-2-8.html" rel="ESV.Ephesians.2.8-9" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:8-9</a><span style="background-color: white;">).</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Luke 19:10 </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"The Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost" </span></i></span></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew 1:20-25 amp "But after he (Joseph) had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. *21 She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet Isaiah: BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL”--which, when translated, means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary to his home as his wife, but he kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child; and he named Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation)." </span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Zechariah 9:9 (nkjv) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” </span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John 8:42 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.'"</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew 1:21 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*Matthew 2:11 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Gold cuz Christ is King of Kings. Frankincense cuz Christ is our High Priest. Myrrh a perfume, cuz it was used to anoint dead bodies, typifying Jesus' death to save us from our sins)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Titus 3:4-5 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Philippians 2:8-10 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Titus 2:11 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."</span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Romans 6:23 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (net Bible) God made a promise and kept it. LOVE keeps promises. I run out and ask for more love. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Titus 3:3-7 (niv) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John 1:12-13 "But to all who have received him -- those who believe in his name -- he has given the right to become God’s children -- children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God."</span></span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;">Luke 2:13-17 "Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!' When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.' So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child.."</span></i></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Titus 3:4-7 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">James 1:17 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Timothy 1:15-17 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” </span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Luke 2:11 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2:10-12 “But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for ALL the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'”</span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Luke 2:17-18 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John 3:16 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”</span></span></i></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C09jPzrrfUj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C09jPzrrfUj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></span></a><p style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C09jPzrrfUj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d;">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</span><br /></span></a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-5839178730460662872023-12-13T16:10:00.003-06:002023-12-13T16:10:32.410-06:00You are too young, Buckeroo, to just live in your past and merely head towards the grave--everyone is. Pray and obey!<p> </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zsMUJp1BV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zsMUJp1BV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zsMUJp1BV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by KurtwVs (@kurtwvs)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-90635180362994629342023-12-12T10:46:00.007-06:002023-12-13T12:58:52.644-06:00Prayer can be effective and integrity matters. Do you remember the $600?<p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.003em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Americans, do you recall during those Covid times ..was not all that long ago.. when you were sent $600 by our US government? It took them a while to put their heads together and decide on that.</span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="4787" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Factoid that you might already know: <i><b>Every single illegal alien is getting a $5,000 Visa gift card as a cross-over into the USA (breaking the law).</b></i></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="a464" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Is it <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions_prayer.html" target="_blank">a good day to pray</a> and then wisely act? Yes, it is. I can't control others, but I can control me. I can pray for those in my Land and government. </b></i></span></p><blockquote class="nb nc nd" style="background-color: white; box-shadow: rgb(36, 36, 36) 3px 0px 0px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: medium-content-sans-serif-font, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px -20px; padding-left: 23px;"><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b562" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8529309014892784900/9063518036299462934#" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></a></p><blockquote><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b562" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8529309014892784900/9063518036299462934#" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Why, how, when, for whom, and where.. pray</span></a><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">?</span></p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="425a" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fervent-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)?</span></a> How much do you mean what you are saying?</p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="dbcf" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/purpose-of-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">What is the purpose and meaning of prayer?</span></a> I don’t put my faith in prayer, but in the God I pray to.</p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="f13b" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/listening-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">What is listening prayer? Are listening prayers biblical?</span></a> Let’s hear the Living Word today!</p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="2872" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sinners-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">What is the Sinner’s Prayer?</span></a></p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="416e" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/daily-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Is daily prayer a good idea and important?</span></a><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"> Yup.</span></p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="5c0d" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/evidence-answered-prayer.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Is there evidence that God answers prayer?</span></a></p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="83e5" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/rejoicing-in-hope.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">How can we be rejoicing in hope (Romans 12:12)?</span></a></p><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="d03e" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-hope.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">How can anyone even define that.. hope?</span></a></p></blockquote><p class="lh li ne lj b lk ll lm ln lo lp lq lr ls lt lu lv lw lx ly lz ma mb mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="d03e" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #242424; font-family: source-serif-pro, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af gs" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-hope.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"></span></a></p></blockquote><h2 class="mf mg fr be mh mi mj mk ml mm mn mo mp ls mq mr ms lw mt mu mv ma mw mx my mz bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="4cc2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 1.72em 0px -0.31em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="al" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i>“I am confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” </i></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Psalm 27:13</span></span></h2><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="a464" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li fr lj b lk nf lm ln lo ng lq lr ls nh lu lv lw ni ly lz ma nj mc md me fk bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="704d" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 0.94em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">But we’ve all heard it said and we also see it happening, <span class="lj fs" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><em class="ne" style="box-sizing: inherit;">“The government wastes billions of dollars every year.”</em></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b33c" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">It’s understandable why millions of people from all over the world want to come to the United States and why the USA is getting more like those places they’ve come from.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="2e02" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">It’s still pretty much the land of opportunity. So, should we continue to open our borders to everyone from China, from the Middle East, from South America etc entering in, even though they have no legal status? Should we pay them and let them fly wherever they want minus having what is required of us citizens to have? Minus them having a proper visa or shots etc. Is that the truly compassionate thing to do? Is paying them the prudent thing to do?</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="0fb5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Factoid: <i><b>There have been close to 10 million unlawful entries here since Biden was installed. Their goal? It is obviously to overwhelm and collapse the system in order to bring in their version of <a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/new-world-order.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">a new world order</a>.</b></i></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="0b93" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They now (those in power, the DC Uniparty, both sides) are floating the idea to put illegals into the military and make them police personnel. In Illinois they’ve already passed a law that they can be police officers. And guess what.. then they will indeed obey this corrupt government while not having your best interest in mind.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="3277" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">This will not go on forever.. even the antichrist will have a limited time to rule on earth.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="5308" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">We each will reap exactly what we sow (good or bad), there is a Judge who has not been corrupted and will never be corrupted.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="f7ed" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Stay focused, Believers. Let’s keep the main things the main things instead of prioritizing the lesser things.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="c1ec" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span class="lj mh" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><em class="mi" style="box-sizing: inherit;">“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”</em></span> Galatians 6:9</span></p><h2 class="ki kj kk be kl km kn ko kp kq kr ks kt ku kv kw kx ky kz la lb lc ld le lf lg bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="5559" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 1.72em 0px -0.31em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Integrity matters.</span></h2><figure class="mn mo mp mq mr ms mk ml paragraph-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; margin: 56px auto 0px;"><div class="mt mu ee mv bg mw" role="button" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: zoom-in; position: relative; transition: transform 300ms cubic-bezier(0.2, 0, 0.2, 1) 0s; width: 680px; z-index: auto;" tabindex="0"><div class="mk ml mm" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 825px;"><picture style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><source sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/format:webp/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 1400w" style="box-sizing: inherit;" type="image/webp"></source><source data-testid="og" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png 1400w" style="box-sizing: inherit;"></source><img alt="" class="bg jl mx c" height="695" loading="lazy" role="presentation" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:875/1*whlsjG_qi1FNj0-n2odHIw.png" style="box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 680px;" width="700" /></span></picture></div></div></figure><blockquote class="my mz na" style="background-color: white; box-shadow: rgb(36, 36, 36) 3px 0px 0px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -20px; padding-left: 23px;"><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="4bb6" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/a-man-reaps-what-he-sows.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Does a person reap exactly what they sow ..and how much</a>? <a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/a-man-reaps-what-he-sows.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">(See Galatians 6:7)?</a></span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="dd45" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/you-reap-what-you-sow.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Wait, is that even biblical?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="e9da" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">(<a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sowing-and-reaping.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Old terms: sowing, reaping. You know how most of the Bible was originally written to those living in an agrarian society, people familiar with working the land, managing livestock, and raising crops</a>. Many of Jesus’ parables involve the farming life. Not surprisingly, then, the Bible contains many references to sowing and reaping and these good ole principles also apply today in many areas of life.)</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="23eb" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/does-God-care.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Does God even care for US citizens or any citizens</a>? Yes.</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="fda6" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/taxes-Bible.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about paying taxes?</a> So much of our taxes (billions) are going to the wrong places. We don’t even want those far-away wars or visitors.. many of whom come here to stay and cause problems.</span></p></blockquote><figure class="mn mo mp mq mr ms mk ml paragraph-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; margin: 56px auto 0px;"><div class="mk ml nb" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 444px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We're not offering anyone Christians, <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">we're offering them Jesus Christ</a>. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to know Him and follow well? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">People recommend to us all day long. <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">I wholeheartedly recommend flawless Jesus</a>. You can too. He's so brag-worthy, not me. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We're not offering them church as the Solution.. though I like spiritually healthy churches and when people go to church. We're offering them the gospel and free of charge. Christ is the ultimate Solution no matter the prob or issue. </span><a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://godlife.com/gospel/read</span></a></span></div></figure><figure class="mn mo mp mq mr ms mk ml paragraph-image" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; margin: 56px auto 0px;"><div class="mt mu ee mv bg mw" role="button" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: zoom-in; position: relative; transition: transform 300ms cubic-bezier(0.2, 0, 0.2, 1) 0s; width: 680px; z-index: auto;" tabindex="0"><div class="mk ml nc" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1028px;"><picture style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><source sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/format:webp/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 1400w" style="box-sizing: inherit;" type="image/webp"></source><source data-testid="og" sizes="(min-resolution: 4dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 4) and (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (min-resolution: 3dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 67vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (max-width: 700px) 65vw, (min-resolution: 2.5dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5) and (max-width: 700px) 80vw, (min-resolution: 2dppx) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:640/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 640w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 720w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:750/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 750w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:786/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 786w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:828/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 828w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 1100w, https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg 1400w" style="box-sizing: inherit;"></source><img alt="" class="bg jl mx c" height="872" loading="lazy" role="presentation" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:875/0*SeMfhvtA-Oww63Zg" style="box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 680px;" width="700" /></span></picture></div></div></figure><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.06px;">We need decent, honest, righteous Government and one day believers will see this!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.06px;">Justice Alito: “</span><a class="af mj" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-411_d1oe.pdf" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.06px;" target="_blank"><em class="mi" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Our democratic form of government is undermined if Government officials prevent a candidate for high office from communicating with voters, and such efforts are especially dangerous when the officials engaging in such conduct are answerable to a rival candidate.</em></a><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.06px;">”</span></span></p><h4 class="graf graf--h4" name="5c5b"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Integrity matters.</span></h4><p class="graf graf--p" name="7d7b"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Help me to wisely pray and walk with you honestly, Lord. </span></p><p class="graf graf--p graf--startsWithDoubleQuote" name="07cc"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word; Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].” Psalms 119:133 amp</span></p><blockquote class="my mz na" style="background-color: white; box-shadow: rgb(36, 36, 36) 3px 0px 0px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -20px; padding-left: 23px;"><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6dd8" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">The Internet has opened up a whole new avenue for thieves among the citizenry and among the gov. Like with data mining and identity theft. Back in 2003, one in four American households were victims of identity theft in the previous five years (USA Today, 9/04/2003). In 2003 alone, identity theft cost individual victims $5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses and nearly <a class="af mj" href="http://www.whitecanyon.com/identity-theft-statistics-ut-09-2003.php" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">$48 billion in losses</a> to businesses and financial institutions (<a class="af mj" href="http://www.whitecanyon.com/identity-theft-statistics-ut-09-2003.php)" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">http://www.whitecanyon.com/identity-theft-statistics-ut-09-2003.php)</a>.</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="ffd9" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">So, stealing is a widespread human problem in the USA and in other Lands.</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6c72" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Republican-Democrat.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat? Should a Christian be a conservative or a liberal/progressive?</span></a></p></blockquote><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="d625" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Personally, I (Kurt) changed my political party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated. It was a no-brainer after all that has been exposed in the last several years. Too many Dems and Rinos — there are so many.. on steroids-evil.. kind of leaders on both sides.</span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph lh li kk lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1950" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">You know how we Christians are in this world but are not to be of this corrupt world system (See <a class="af mj" href="https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/2/1-John-2-15.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">1 John 2:15</a>). We can be involved in politics, but we should not be obsessed with politics. I care about who is in God’s house and family more than who is in the White House with their family. Ultimately, we are to be truth and heavenly-minded, yes, more concerned with the things of God than the things of this world (<a class="af mj" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Colossians/3/Colossians-3-1.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Colossians 3:1–2</a>). As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all members of the same political party — monarchists who are waiting for their King of all kings to return (<a class="af mj" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Revelation/19/Revelation-19-11.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Revelation 19:11–16</a>). But we are not uninvolved while here. You’ve heard it perhaps said, “He’s so heavenly-minded and prayerful that he’s of no earthly good’, but I’ve found that those who are heavenly-minded are far more of earthly good.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="3851" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/bear-the-sword-in-vain.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean that the government does not bear the sword in vain (Romans 13:4)?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b382" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Republican-Democrat.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat? Should a Christian be a conservative or a liberal/progressive?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="dcb0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/did-God-create-sin.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">How did these types of sins get here — did God create sin</a>?</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="280c" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sow-wind-reap-whirlwind.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="c207" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/seed-faith.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Haven’t several false teachers deceived and deceived others.. used those sowing passages to get rich? What is seed faith? What is a seed faith offering?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="7062" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sow-to-the-Spirit.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean to sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8)?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="30ff" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/cast-your-bread-upon-the-waters.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="f2a3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">I want to hear more about <a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/content_topical_analogies.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">analogies and riddles in the Bible!</a></span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b5d6" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sow-wind-reap-whirlwind.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Can one sow to the wind only to reap the whirlwind</a>?</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6c50" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/promises-in-the-Bible.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What are the greatest promises in the Bible?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b966" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-antichrist.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">What is the Antichrist?</a> <a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/see-the-antichrist.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Who is he</a>?</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1c17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-the-antichrist.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Got any Bible verses about the antichrist?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="d6e3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-verses-about-the-world.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What are some Bible verses about the world?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="5109" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Wasn’t it George Bush Sr who talked about a (NWO) New World Order?</span></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="dda4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/new-world-order.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What is the New World Order?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="dd55" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Great-Reset.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">How should a Christian view the Great Reset by the World Economic Forum?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="0a44" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/illuminati-conspiracy.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What is the Illuminati conspiracy — is there any factual basis for all that?</span></a></p><p class="lh li mi lj b lk mc lm ln lo md lq lr ku me lt lu ky mf lw lx lc mg lz ma mb kd bj" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="5378" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.003em; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.14em 0px -0.46em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-will-wipe-away-every-tear-Revelation-21-4.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">What does it mean that God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4)</span></a><a class="af mj" href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-will-wipe-away-every-tear-Revelation-21-4.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.003em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">?</span></a></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Prayer is not to be like some <b><i>"spare wheel" </i></b>that you pull out when you are in trouble, but it is to be more like a <i><b>"steering wheel"</b></i> in which you allow God to direct you in the right path throughout your life. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">One day Corrie ten Boom brought this up, “<b><i>Is prayer your steering wheel, or your spare tire?” </i></b></span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Lord, can you guide what happens in our governments?<br /></i></b></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>How are you personally guided daily? </i></b></span></span><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Essentially, I think what Corrie was asking is this: <i><b>Believer, do you pray in faith and then allow the Lord to control your entire life as your Master, or do you merely utilize prayer in an emergency.. or like when all other methods fail you?</b></i></span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I started driving over in Dana Point there were a whole lot of things to grasp.. said the teacher. When the engine was running, one thing I learned was how much power the steering wheel also had over the vehicle. When there's motion, it controls the entire direction of that VW Bug. And there are times for some (forward) motion bro. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In accordance with God's Word, the Holy Spirit can guide you and me step by step. With our motion or without motion, the Bible and prayer are our means for two-way vertical communication.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b>"I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."</b></i> Psalm 119:104-105</span><br /></span><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."</i></b> nlt </span> <a href="https://linktr.ee/kurtvs">Linktr.ee/KurtvS</a></span></p></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-38984043936747519392023-12-05T13:27:00.004-06:002023-12-05T14:14:30.649-06:00The pleasures here -- SO short. The pains here -- SO short. Yeah, in comparison to eternity. Through it all why not.. we live for the pleasure and glory of the Lord!<p><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]."</b></i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">James 4:14 amp</span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"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." </b></i>esv</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Christ's heart really beats for people in cities as it does for people in rural towns! Lots of broken hurting people. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) loves those in </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">metropolitan and more hinterland areas! You and me. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">I did some exploring when I was in Milano, in Italy's northern Lombardy region. Some say it's an extra dusty dirty place, but it's probably not more so than other big cities. The city is actually known for all its valuable art and creative people. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">There is a huge ornate cathedral that has some poignant significant words inscribed around its entrance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">To the right of the door is a nice sculptured wreath of roses. Beautiful! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Underneath it says, "All that pleases us is only for a moment." On the left side is a sculptured cross of thorns with the moving words beneath posted: "All that troubles us is only for a moment." Over the top of those words comes: "Nothing is important but that which is eternal."</b></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Solomon tried it all and learned real late that seeking meaning through abundance was only chasing the wind (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Ecclesiastes/2/Ecclesiastes-2-11.html" rel="ESV.Ecclesiastes.2.11" style="font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Ecclesiastes 2:11</a><span style="font-size: 20px;">).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind." </span></b></i>Ecclesiastes 1:14</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #b45f06; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The word "vanity" that Solomon used back in his day didn’t mean the same thing it means to us today. When we think of vanity, we think of a magazine or people who’ve never met a mirror they didn’t like. But the vanity Solomon spoke of could just as easily be translated as “emptiness,” “futility,” “meaningless,” or “nothingness.” Solomon was saying, “There is nothing on this earth that will completely satisfy us: no temporal thing, no mere human relationship totally, and no pleasure.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question. Have you ever wondered why the super wealthy or super famous often have substance abuse issues or other problems? I think it’s because they get to do what others only dream of. They accomplish a certain thing, and then they move on to the next thing. They experience another success, and then they move on to something else. They can’t keep that high they were on, so they turn to the next thing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What fills that inner void? Solomon tried it all, and he realized that it all was meaningless. If you take God out of the picture, your life will indeed be empty, meaningless, and futile.” God the Father is love and His Son Jesus is our only Savior. <a href="http://www.knowGod.org" target="_blank">Repent and invite Him in</a>. </span><span style="color: #b45f06; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br style="font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Remember in Ecclesiastes, how Solomon lists the various vain pursuits that are equivalent to chasing after the wind:</span><br style="font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• All things done “under the sun,” that is, in a human life lived apart from any consideration of God (1:14)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Pursuing wisdom and the understanding of madness and folly (1:16–17)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Rewarding oneself with pleasure (2:10–11)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Seeking immortality (2:16–17)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Thinking one can control the outcome of his life (2:26)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Envious competition with one’s neighbor (4:4)</span></b></i></p><p style="background-color: white;"><i><b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">• Trying to make a lasting name for oneself (4:16)</span></b></i></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Solomon concluded that, apart from seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (see </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/6/Matthew-6-33.html" rel="ESV.Matthew.6.33" style="font-size: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Matthew 6:33</a><span style="font-size: 20px;">), life here has no meaning. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Wealth, or the lack of it, the crowds, the solitude, the pleasures, the pains.. and all the things we pour our lives into on earth simply won’t last. Our projects, our hard work, our rivalries, our alliances, and our successes—nothing will last. We can’t really hang on to the rewards of this world any more than we can grasp the wind.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">A Christian has the opportunity to <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Ecclesiastes.html" target="_blank">understand the emptiness and despair that those who do not know God daily grapple with</a>. There must be some empathy, some outreach. </span><span style="font-size: 20px;">The world “under the sun,” meaning apart from God, is frustrating, cruel, unfair, brief, and <i><b>“utterly meaningless.”</b></i> But with Christ (enjoying relationship), life here is but a shadow of the glories to come in a heaven that is only accessible through Him.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Our earthly pleasures in the country, in the cities, and in medium-sized towns are all so brief. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Sure, that expensive vacation is over way too soon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">That fashionable suit is so last season.. very quickly and then it wears out like other rusty, perishable, temporal things. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">All the fun widgets, gadgets, and devices (that constantly need software updating) go in a trash bin. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The ice cream cone melts before, in or on you.. or sometimes it just drops on the city sidewalk. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Likewise, people may believe that their personal pain will never stop, that the haunting of loneliness is here to stay, that the intense pressures of their daily lives will have no end. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">But someday both the earthly pleasures and the pain of this life will be over. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1096" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjduXjMBdefxUFaCJDfzCwj7TF-Od_2Ym6lWKTUeLNgP1NlLxTeQ9VAgSpyrKOQcWx_MTuBlyGLpYEkyl33jOAtMn_Xdwo2f91rnTe-JFBe-RqL5IXl5aCdZ7P4U0auyVQwklEHmBEx6Tr057ZTNnOrSbfbjmkFi7YmdLvzkxVb81UELJIID191k4u5ARw=w640-h234" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Mi Pham</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone." </i>nlt</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">You know what comes next. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.."</b></i> Hebrews 9:27 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Live each minute, each hour, each day as if it's your last because it just might be. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="732" data-original-width="543" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9f6If6d5ciruebJ4-6ya1EeE65Qc-Dce59koH3XPNXygPcPP7jhkymo1XmO4gxAL26FFx3zdwt62oHbv3du1mMIXTZK_bZcnz0_879tlwsHiCzOlUOP9sk2z5_CTULyjM7ITjtUtvPQrQG57asPTT8wX8Qga9bgAuZv9cHzLfmHW3d5K3P11hr6z1Cgck=w297-h400" width="297" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Susan Wilkenson</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why does the Apostle Paul call our difficulties here a <i><b>“<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/momentary-light-affliction.html" target="_blank">momentary, light affliction</a>” </b></i>(2 Corinthians 4:17)?</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">You know Christians experience trials that work for them, as they keep turning to the Lord with their needs. Unbelievers have problems that work against them. Life can be hard on earth at times. Devils like to harras and tempt. Disease, debt, depression, death, and difficulties abound here on earth. Do you have a need? What will you do?</span></span><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">In </span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/5/Romans-5-3.html" rel="ESV.Romans.5.3-5" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Romans 5:3–5</a><span style="background-color: white;">, Paul reminds us that we believers can <i><b>“glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”</b></i> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">When we trust Christ the Ultimate Overcomer through our suffering, we allow Him to shape our faith and character. Even when it does not fully make sense to us why we are going through difficulties, believers have hope that their pains and </span><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-suffering.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">suffering</a><span style="background-color: white;"> are not purposeless.</span><br style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Through our momentary, light affliction, we can choose to draw near to God and even thrive (on multiple levels) in the hardships, filled with the hope that our troubles grow our character and faith even more. We remember that this world is not our final home. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">There’s something far better coming, <i><b>“surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness!”</b></i> (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/4/2-Corinthians-4-17.html" rel="ESV.2 Corinthians.4.17" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:17</a> amp<span style="background-color: white;">).</span></span><br style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06;">When we have blessings or trials, pleasures or pains, let us <i><b>“fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”</b></i> (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/4/2-Corinthians-4-18.html" rel="ESV.2 Corinthians.4.18" style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 4:18</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06;">). </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's each choose to walk by faith in Christ and simply draw near to God the Father, who is <i><b>“our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”</b></i> (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/46/Psalms-46-1.html" rel="ESV.Psalms.46.1" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Psalm 46:1</a><span style="background-color: white;">).</span></span><br /></span><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-your-life.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>“What is your life?” What's up with James 4:14?</i></span></a></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sadism-sadist.html" target="_blank">God has never been some sadist who enjoys causing pain and suffering in people. Never has been, never will be</a>. He ain't anything like that. </i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/chronic-pain.html" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">What does the Bible say about dealing with chronic pain?</span></i></a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/betrayal-pain.html" target="_blank">How can I overcome the pain of betrayal? Why does it hurt so much to be betrayed</a>?</span></i></div></blockquote><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/overcome-abuse.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">How can I overcome the pain of past abuse?</span></i></a></div></blockquote><div class="infoline" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/is-God-cruel.html" target="_blank">Is He a bit cruel? Does God have callous indifference to, or take pleasure in, causing pain and suffering? No</a>. <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-pain.html " target="_blank">What should be the Christian response to pain</a>?</i></span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/cosmic-killjoy.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">Is God a cosmic killjoy? Not at all.</a></i></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/life-is-a-vapor.html" target="_blank">What does it mean that life is a vapor? What is the real meaning of <span style="text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;">James 4:14</span></a>?</i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-pleasure.html" target="_blank">Is He opposed to all pleasure here? Nope. Does it seem to you like God is anti-all-fun, One who does not want us to do anything that feels good</a>? Really?</i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sex-pleasure.html" target="_blank">What about married folk</a>? </span></i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-hedonism.html" target="_blank">Christian hedonism</a>" -- that</span> sounds like an oxymoron! After all, if “<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/hedonism-hedonist.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">hedonism</a>” is the pursuit of <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-pleasure.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);">pleasure</a>, then how can it be Christian? But, as John Piper points out, pleasure <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">per se</span> is not anti-God. Pleasure, in one sense, is a gauge of how much importance we place on what we value. Piper coined the term <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Christian hedonism</span> as a provocative way to express a timeless truth: God is not glorified in us as He ought to be when He is not our greatest joy. Or to put it positively, in the words of Piper, <b>“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”</b></i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are righteous pleasures to be enjoyed. Pleasure (not the unholy type) is a gift from God (</span><a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/James/1/James-1-17.html" rel="ESV.James.1.17" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">James 1:17</a><span style="background-color: white;">). When we trust God to supply all we need, we can enjoy His good gifts without guilt or reservation. Godly gratification provides a lasting joy that includes wisdom, maturity, and a clear </span><span style="background-color: white;">conscience.</span></span></i></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY1DtXBCgRE2SplPQbUyK-wgAz0fH8_MTxMX7KMVzcwUkxnXu6BcYX9T09k5fF2hR7XkVyG6p0ZaEmINjNY6XCLy_kyagmdZvUQH-NaRUx6R6tftWJbPSFQnE9ARe2DAYHaC6ZseAm8Vm3W915VZ7XyHiUQPrzch2mDavdyHCFktvjDJQkYLNPcULgndyk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="632" data-original-width="799" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY1DtXBCgRE2SplPQbUyK-wgAz0fH8_MTxMX7KMVzcwUkxnXu6BcYX9T09k5fF2hR7XkVyG6p0ZaEmINjNY6XCLy_kyagmdZvUQH-NaRUx6R6tftWJbPSFQnE9ARe2DAYHaC6ZseAm8Vm3W915VZ7XyHiUQPrzch2mDavdyHCFktvjDJQkYLNPcULgndyk=w400-h317" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/teach-us-to-number-our-days.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Why should we want God to teach us to number our days (Psalm 90:12)?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-tomorrow-will-bring.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>How should we live our lives when we don’t know what tomorrow will bring (James 4:14)? We can know, closely follow, and serve Christ regardless of what pleasures or pains life brings?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-time-management.html" target="_blank">Lord, help me care and share. Please hear my prayer. How can I personally manage my time wisely and please You</a>?</i></span></div></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/measure-of-my-days.html" target="_blank">Can God help me to know the measure of my days? What is the meaning of <span style="text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;">Psalm 39:4</span></a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/weight-of-glory.html" target="_blank">What is the weight of glory? What is the meaning of <span style="text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;">2 Corinthians 4:17</span>? How can glory be a weight</a>?</i></span></div></div></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/to-dust-you-shall-return.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Remember when God tells Adam, “For dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19)?</i></span></a></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-of-Moses.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>What can we learn from the prayer of Moses (Psalm 90)?</i></span></a></div></div></blockquote><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="infoline" style="font-size: 19.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Lord, You have been our dwelling place our refuge, our sanctuary, our stability in all generations. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Before the mountains were born o</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">r before You had given birth to the earth and the world, e</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">ven from everlasting to everlasting, You are the eternal God. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">You turn man back to dust, a</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">nd say, 'Return to the earth, O children of mortal men!' </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">For a thousand years in Your sight a</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">re like yesterday when it is past, o</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">r as a watch in the night. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep forgotten as soon as they are gone; i</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">n the morning they are like grass which grows anew—i</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">n the morning it flourishes and springs up; i</span></i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>n the evening it wilts and withers away."</i> vv. 1-6</span></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gnashing-of-teeth.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article);"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>What does the Bible mean when it refers to the gnashing of teeth?</i></span></a></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/gnashing-of-teeth.html" target="_blank">A real place called Hell will be the place of anguish, remorse, pain, and misery</a>. Heaven will be a place where God eventually “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Revelation/21/Revelation-21-4.html" rel="ESV.Revelation.21.4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Revelation 21:4</a>). The misery that causes the gnashing of teeth will be unknown in heaven, and there will be no weeping, no wailing, and no tears.</i></span></div></blockquote><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></i></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="description" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Sadly, those who reject God will realize in hell what they have truly lost, and the realization that there is no “second chance” will cause them to feel the full weight of the pain that goes with that knowledge. The anguish of being separated from God does not go away. It is eternal and unrelenting. We all deserve that kind of punishment: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/3/Romans-3-23.html" rel="ESV.Romans.3.23" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Rom. 3:23</a>), but God, in His mercy, made it possible for us to avoid that eternal pain and suffering. Paul explains, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (<a class="BRST_a" href="https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/6/Romans-6-23.html" rel="ESV.Romans.6.23" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: var(--color-link-article); text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">Rom. 6:23</a>).</i></span></div></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT7gSyaBF6Nwed5ICOmiYaCSf11yRVtJfb1_2X8A5tsorB5_gwrqRMz1QDH_UkFbt-huBj70CU_vhh_6j0ts3aR-0HrvXKaOg3p6byP3yzK2kGalnzOxrfd9gjPxkbBXI7ZamF810srxgUDx680opeaW6JjX-3UTudOeEBGdpnXpQ_DpPYffnm1ozupQPW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><img data-original-height="611" data-original-width="195" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT7gSyaBF6Nwed5ICOmiYaCSf11yRVtJfb1_2X8A5tsorB5_gwrqRMz1QDH_UkFbt-huBj70CU_vhh_6j0ts3aR-0HrvXKaOg3p6byP3yzK2kGalnzOxrfd9gjPxkbBXI7ZamF810srxgUDx680opeaW6JjX-3UTudOeEBGdpnXpQ_DpPYffnm1ozupQPW=w205-h640" width="205" /></span></a></div><p></p><div class="description" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>What’s done for the pleasure and glory of.. what's done with Jesus.. as your Lord leading you, what's obediently done right smack dab in the middle of God's will for you.. to bless Him.. will last. </i></span></b></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;"><img data-original-height="387" data-original-width="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP225D3Af7qhCSV6qcDmqbPsLjyPR29PxSv5vPPNvuhOqKYn_oukvnQJHrwzt85BBc7Nvjyf3xKq0CXVr-aHtSLFafOiuJFvUZd2z5-wyknysCXa82AngvwP52LYbBAjJuRJJBTO4b6M5s1zi8YceBPfp9-fxdm2G1whzvF3p5T6T1xKZq1NIcfaR1zELo=s16000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://godlife.com/en/look_to_jesus" target="_blank">Live ready</a>, help others be. Need perspective? Hear Studd:</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div data-hook="rcv-block23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="h3"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dklje" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">"Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
Only one life, twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block24" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cs8ia" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.<br /></span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block25" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6puhu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block26" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d8auo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block28" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4mc9c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block29" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-do9a2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block30" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4r8lj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block31" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8hlos" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</i></span></b></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block32" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-el5cq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Only what’s done for Christ will last.</i></span></b></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block33" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-87r3b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block34" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bu4a3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block35" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cvr8b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block37" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9oa13" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block38" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-564s2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block40" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7106h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
Only one life, “twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block41" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dn4um" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block43" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c11bf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block44" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-av2c5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Only what’s done for Christ will last. ” </span></span><span style="background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); font-family: georgia; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">..extra stanza..</span></span></span><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); font-family: georgia; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block48" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3jrab" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Only one life, ’twill soon be past,</span></span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block49" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-110nb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." </span><i><span style="font-weight: inherit;">~ </span><span style="font-weight: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Charles Thomas Studd<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">(missionary to India, Africa, and China. The </span><span><span style="font-weight: inherit;">husband to Pricilla, and father to</span> </span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">four daughters:</span><span style="font-weight: bold; white-space-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span style="font-weight: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Grace, Dorothy, Edith, Pauline..and two sons died in infancy</span><span style="font-weight: inherit;">)</span></span></i></span></span></p></div></div></div></div>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529309014892784900.post-6208960799490976872023-12-02T12:11:00.002-06:002023-12-02T12:11:18.589-06:00One of the greatest gifts I ever had was flawed and he knew it. He came from a flawless God, and I call him dad. And because he humbly came to His Father, the Lord made Him into a much better dad for us all. His name is Rodney Kim. <p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>So many men, because they feel like it, so casually become so-called fathers minus any commitments today.</b> It takes a real man to decide to act like someone special and be a loyal dad. Fatherly love is first from a quality decision and not from a feeling. </i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian... and most of all, his family ought to know." </b>~ Dwight L. Moody</span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Choose to come home, to <a href="https://godlife.com/gospel/read" target="_blank">get right with your Father.</a> Don't try to clean yourself up first before returning, just come home now. No putting it off or excuses. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Train up a child in the way he should go -- but be sure you go that way yourself." ~</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Charles Spurgeon</span></i></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." </b>Proverbs 22:6</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." ~ Billy Graham </i></span></span></p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><b>"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." </b>~ Solomon, a dad. </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.125px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Proverbs 20:7</span></span></i></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">~ Clarence Budington Kelland</span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i>Starting at home kids and wives want to see a sermon before they hear one. </i></span></p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><i><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="590" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FShareJesus%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0w7R9LqMPxnDGuhpFxA5RY9PVVPHvVXMwdmYiza42HN94aRNay9AwL8jogGmYiGCcl&show_text=true&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></i></span>Kurt W. von Schleicherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06174937950843818267noreply@blogger.com0