tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85614895799811954082024-03-08T10:38:13.970-08:00Today In The WORDToday In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.comBlogger1066125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-71052800416132787142024-01-28T22:53:00.000-08:002024-01-28T22:53:26.938-08:00A SUPREME CHALLENGE TO BE A DISCIPLE<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A Supreme Challenge to be a Disciple <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“And
the DISCIPLES were first called CHRISTIANS in Antioch” (Acts of the Apostles
11:26)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Appreciation without decisions</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">At a Christian Conference, the speaker was hitting hard on
decisions to give ourselves and all that we have to Jesus. Several participants
came around after the message to express deep appreciation. Many wanted to make
decisions and promised to take the message seriously. They all expressed their
love for Jesus through their strong responses, passion and aspirations. But to
the extent to which we know, very few among them took bold decisions to offer
themselves and all that they have as an expression of their love for the
Master.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b> <span> </span><span> </span></b></span></span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The story was a replay of what happened in Palestine two
millennia away. There were many small and large groups of people who were moved
by the message of the Master Designer of life. He challenged His listeners to
make eternal choices in their temporal world with their lives and resources.
They all agreed with Him. They were moved by the message and the messenger.
They forgot hunger, thirst and sleep and listened to Him for days. But almost
all of them failed to make bold decisions for Him because they were strongly
influenced by their situations, circumstances and the people who meant so much
for them. They all lived a committed life, but their surrender never measured
up to the message which moved them. Their consecration was sincere, but most
didn’t translate it into action. Their commitment was haphazard and wishful
daydreams. Sadly most of them missed the ship, made a slip and lost the
opportunity to please their Master. Their lives lost the prospect to be handled
by the nail-pierced hands of the Master Designer to make them what He wanted
them to be. They were afraid to commit themselves totally for fear of the
temporal gains that they might lose in this world. They were more committed to
pleasing their relationships and aspirations in this world than their Master.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b> <span> </span><span> </span></b></span></span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Somehow it is like the vicinity of the old rugged cross on
the hill called Mount Calvary soon after Jesus uttered His eternal thirst for
human soul. All who followed Him till His arrest deserted Him. Nobody wanted Him.
No one cared for Him. There was none who claimed the Master to be his or her
own so as to stick their necks for Him. Everyone abandoned Him for fear of
losing their life and reputation. He was all alone in His trials, walk on the
Calvary Road and crucifixion, and even as He gasped for breath to declare that
He has finished paying for our sins with His life. Even from the cross, He
searched for the few who might come forward to express their love to Him but it
was in vain (Psalms 69:20). But no one dared to stand with Him or near His
cross because there was none who would put their lives at stake for their
Master. There were only a few women and one young man by the name John who
stood far away watching the unfolding drama at Calvary. Yet even after twenty
centuries of that sad event which took place on Golgotha, His search for human
lives which would respond to Him in true love and commitment to His cause
continues.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b> <span> </span><span> </span></b></span></span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If the Old Rugged Cross made a difference, what is it? And
where has it impacted? How is it wedging the world and the individual life
today? Is the love of Jesus so shallow as not to influence sufficient
following? Is the temporal world around us more attractive than the eternal in
the lives of people who claim to love Jesus? If there is such a unique Master
and His unparalleled message which we claim to be influencing our conscience,
where is the kind of response it deserves? Is the cross of Christ worthy of
unique and bold decisions by God’s children? Is Calvary real in the life of a
Christian believer in today’s materialistic world? These questions demand
discussion, meditation, thinking, consideration and fitting reaction. This is
the supreme challenge in all ages. It looms large in front of our eyes and
awaits a response. Calvary love will not relent or rest unless its impact is
found in the lives of men and women who claim to have declared their allegiance
to Jesus. It demands evidence based action. It expects a loving response. Today
Jesus is searching the hearts of the redeemed to see how much we would respond
to His love demonstrated at Calvary.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #741b47;">A
Window to Discipleship</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Bible instructs a child of God to develop a deep desire
to become what God wants him to be. He is admonished to confess, repent and
believe in what will make him a new person. Once he becomes a new creation, he
is challenged to love, give, minister with and transform his life and to
worship his God in response to his new found faith and life. All these
challenges are embodied in the most serious, deep and sincere invitation made
by Jesus Christ to ‘Follow Him’ (Matthew 16:24). It was the greatest desire
Jesus had for all who believed on Him which He made clear to them in no
unequivocal terms. Even though this challenge is vividly and repeatedly seen in
the New Testament, it was also expressed in different, but less clear terms by
the Triune God in the Old Testament.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This profound statement of Jesus to “Follow Him” was first
heard in some corners of the hill country of Palestine two millennia ago. Its
reverberations are echoed all over the world all through the last two thousand
years. History of the Church of Jesus Christ is the sum total of the
revolutionary lives of the men and women who responded wholeheartedly to this
powerful challenge. It was His story in and through the lives of those who
responded to His call. Their lives were full of events and incidents which were
made possible only by ardent and unflinching faith in the invisible God and in
His mighty power. It was indeed the impact that these lives created through
their unreserved and unquestionable commitment in the Lord Jesus and ardent faith
in His promises, presence and power.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Church with its unprecedented growth and expansion
during the past 2000 years is the direct result of the lives submitted to Jesus
in response to His invitation to follow Him. All that His followers did was to
follow the footsteps of the owner of the whole Universe who turned out to be
that old Carpenter of Nazareth with no place to lay His head when foxes had
their holes and birds had their nests (Matthew 8:20). His followers were never a majority at any
time in this world. Their hands and pockets were often empty, like their
Master. They were a bunch hated by the people around them, as they in turn
hated the world system. They were considered fools, unintelligent and
thoughtless fellows who seemingly forgot to amass wealth for their economic
wellbeing and that of their posterity. They willfully disregarded the
attractions of this world like possessions, positions, prominence and
popularity offered by the Vanity Fair. Their one and only goal in life was to
please their Master, the Lord Jesus. They followed Him by obeying His call of
love. They turned down the world system and all it had to offer to lure them to
go its way. They were the disciples of Jesus Christ. They were the bloodless
revolutionaries in the empire of love that Jesus Christ created in the hearts
and lives of people.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Jesus Christ didn’t attribute any value to the religiosity
of the members of the existing religions including the Jewish sects. When the
religious leaders tried to impress upon Jesus with their religious zeal, Jesus
told them that He didn’t even know them (Matthew 7:21). Instead, He searched
after the poor minority who were willing to follow Him as a mark of their
unconditional love for Him. He
identified them and identified Himself with them. He called such people to
Himself and they followed Him wherever He went. He declared that the mansion
called Church which He built through such people will stand tall and strong and
that the powers of Hades will not prevail over it (Matthew 16:18).</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Mission of Jesus was not simply to help man to enter
heaven for eternity. Jesus wanted to give man everything that he lost through
Adam. Through the historical call, Jesus gave man the privilege to come back to
have deeper fellowship with God. Man was granted the privilege to live in the
world as if he lives in heaven (Ephesians 2:6). He is given the opportunity to
follow God as he lives in this world. When the regenerate man heeds to the
challenge to follow Jesus Christ, all the privileges that man has lost through
Adam are given to him. Jesus has not envisaged a life for them in any way below
this lofty level. Such a life is not an ordinary religious life, but a life as
a DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif";"><span style="color: #741b47;">Paramount Call</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">We see the truth about discipleship in the Great and Final
Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20. This commission is
multifaceted. It involves a series of compelling demands placed on those who
believed on His name. It consisted of (a) going to the uttermost parts of the
un-evangelized world (b) sharing the message of gospel (c) leading the unsaved
to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and (d) baptizing them that believed.
Even though these are all fundamental to Christian mission and faith, these are
not the end of Christian obedience, but the beginning of serious Christianity.
It is at this point that the most serious Christian activity of (e) disciple
making ought to begin. It is through disciple making that a Christian believer
matures into the stature of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Thus we see that
disciple-making and discipleship have come to be one of the most fundamental
teachings of Christian faith. It follows from this that it is most important
for every Christian believer to become a disciple of Jesus because only a
disciple can help others to become disciples. So it becomes the most important
endeavor of a disciple to help other believers in Jesus Christ to become His
disciples through practical training and practical living as example for
others. This is how others become matured in their faith and walk after Jesus
and thus become true disciples of Jesus. Disciple-making thus becomes the most
fundamental responsibility of the individual believers and the entire Church of
Jesus Christ.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Making disciples out of all the believers is an unavoidable
responsibility of the Church which has to continue all through the Church era.
The message of Christian faith becomes complete only in practical discipleship
and disciple-making. It starts with the obedience to this mission by a person
who has become a disciple or by one who is at least on the pathway to true
discipleship. Disciple-making thus becomes the sum total and foundation of
Christian faith. The ultimate goal of all Christian ministries is
disciple-making, without which Christian mission seems incomplete and
unfulfilled. It is the most loving desire and deepest craving Jesus has that
all who believes on Him follow Him and become His disciples.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It is important to understand who was originally given the
mission of disciple-making. It was given to the disciples who later became
members of the Church of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). It follows that all who
are on the pathway of discipleship have the responsibility to make disciples of
those who are born again. It is also the responsibility of all ministering
brethren and all gifted men (evangelists, pastors and teachers – Ephesians
4:11) to help make disciples out of the believers who are under their spiritual
care. These gifted men also have the responsibility to teach and train other
believers to make disciples. Such a ministry of disciple-making was systematic
in the early church as seen in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. That was
the reason why the church grew rapidly in a qualitative and quantitative manner
during the first century A.D. When we examine the history of the Church, we can
see that wherever and whenever disciple-making loses its fervor, the Church
becomes weak and believers digress from their faith. When the church becomes
weak and falls short of disciple-making, nominal Christianity and
‘Churchianity’ gets deep-rooted in the church which paves the way to false
doctrines.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The
Antioch Disciples</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">If we take a look at the church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26),
we can see the value attributed to discipleship by them. At Antioch, the
practical realities of the life of the believers were reflected in their
behavior, attitude and actions which were in line with what Jesus taught and
that which was reflected in the disciples of Jesus Christ. When the outside
world watched these attitudes and actions in the believers, they were first
recognized as disciples and as such were found to be true followers of Christ.
This is how they were called Christians for the first time in the New Testament
(Acts. 11:26). The world recognized their ‘discipleship life’ in the way they
talked, behaved and related with others around them. These attributes of
discipleship were recognized by Barnabas when he visited that church. Barnabas
saw great pouring of the grace of God at Antioch church (Acts 11:21-23) for the
first time in the New Testament. These behaviors were very much like that of
Christ about whom they had heard. Their Christ-like attributes were the
evidences by which they were recognized as ‘Disciples of Christ’ and subsequently
identified as followers of Christ. By their life, they qualified to be called
‘Disciples’ and subsequently ‘Christians’. Such recognition was the result of
the valuation of the world about the believers of Antioch. It follows from this
that those who exemplify Christ in their lives publicly are the Disciples of
Christ. In other words, it is what others see in a believer as a disciple that
makes him recognized as a Christian. This historical reality means that in
order to qualify to be recognized as Disciples of Christ or Christians, it is
inevitable that the qualities and character of Christ and His disciples are to
be visible in believers. It follows that those who profess to be Christians
ought to be recognized by others through their behavior and attitude first as
Disciples. Christ-likeness has to be inevitably seen in such believers in order
that they may be recognized by the world as Christians.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The fast pace of growth of the church in the first century
A.D. was a practical reflection of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 &
20. They obeyed this commandment and helped new believers to become disciples.
They didn’t stop with evangelizing, but went forward to teach, train and
develop the qualities of Jesus in the new believers which is the fundamental
tenet of Christianity. This shows that churches in the first century were
deeply concerned about and seriously involved in disciple-making in a very
practical way. These churches built up believers as disciples, and the world
recognized it. The world hated and despised them because of the Christ-like
qualities in them. Their story of ‘discipleship life’ is the sum and substance
of the quality of the spiritual life of the early church.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Antioch story (Acts 11:26) leaves every Christian
believer of modern times with the challenge to examine his or her life to see
if they qualify to be recognized by the world around them contemptuously as
disciples of Jesus and thus Christians. Such a conscientious self-examination
ought to revolutionize our lives to take up the challenge of developing in them
the lifestyle of disciples of Jesus Christ and bear the reproach of the cross
in their world.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Challenge
before today’s church</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The essence of New Testament Christianity is discipleship
seen as a practical reality in the lives of believers. When the Bible has given
so much importance to the subject of discipleship and disciple making, it is
pertinent to ask whether the commandment of disciple making has received a
corresponding and serious consideration in the ministries of the churches and
the ministering community in modern times. It will definitely not be an
exaggeration if the answer to this question is in the negative. But why is this
situation so? Is it because the importance of the subject of ‘Discipleship’ is
not properly understood by the evangelists, elders and teachers of the Word of
God? Is it due to their feeling of inadequacy to handle such a spiritually
demanding subject? Is it because the teachers and shepherds are unable or
unwilling to pay the price to be on the discipleship pathway? Is it because its
primacy is not assimilated by Christians today? Is it because the ministering
brethren themselves have not been trained to walk the discipleship pathway?
These questions demand sincere self-examination by all believers of the present
century. Searching for authentic answers to these questions will lead the
church to a great challenge to handle discipleship and disciple making with
greater urgency and earnestness. Christ’s loving commandment demands disciple
making as the greatest priority in New Testament Christianity. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The
Disciple’s Pathway: A seeming impossibility </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">When one browses around, one is able to see that all through
the last twenty centuries of New Testament Christianity, there have always been
Christians who attempted to lead the lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus.
Occasionally we meet a few young and old believers even today whose life and
commitment to Jesus Christ authenticate that true discipleship can be a living
reality in their lives. This doesn’t mean that they are perfect or that they
have arrived at the finish line to be true disciples. But they believe that it
is possible to be a true follower of Jesus Christ only to the extent of their
commitment to live practically as true disciples. Their life and testimony show
that they have seen at least a glimpse of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in
their lives (John 1:14). Their approach to the world and to the Lord reveals
the extent to which they have tasted His agape` love and how they got
themselves lost in its wonder and awe. They show the world that when they dive
deep into the ocean of His love and pick up gems of that love, they cannot but
allow themselves to be challenged by that love to live for Jesus alone as His
true disciples no matter the consequence. They prove with their lives that
discipleship is one of the indicators of their love for their Master who they
claim to be their ‘everything and all’, no matter what it costs them including
their life.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The
Counterfeit Coin</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Christian life may be illustrated in many respects like a
coin, with inscriptions on both sides to authenticate its genuineness,
ownership, authority and value. The coin of Christian life has belief and
behavior to be inscribed on each side. The belief side of the coin indicates
our faith in God, His Word and our salvation experience. The behavior side
shows a Christian’s attitude and lifestyle akin to that of a disciple of Jesus
Christ. It is imperative that both these inscriptions are vivid and shining for
the world and fellow believers to see. Unless the inscriptions on both these
sides are clear to those around them, they will not recognize, accept and
receive these coins at par in Christ-like human dealings and relationships. Any
coin which doesn’t pass such a litmus test is considered a counterfeit and is
summarily rejected by the world around. The Lord Jesus also will not recognize
such haphazard lives as His disciples (Matthew 7:21). They can only be
considered as merely believers and not disciples.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In many respects, the attitude and behavior of a Christian
which do not portray the character of Jesus Christ is rejected by the world. It
is the character of Christ that the world around us expects from a Christian.
It is for this reason that Christians out to be taught about and trained as
true disciples of Jesus so that they will experience and demonstrate the
spiritual transformation that must be seen in them. Then only the Christian’s
life will visibly and vividly show the character and power of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It will then show the world that the Christian points towards the Lord
Jesus Christ in his character, behavior, attitude, lifestyle, priorities,
likes, dislikes and goals. A Christian’s life will thus be seen as one in which
Jesus Christ will be his Lord in all areas of his person. Jesus will then be
seen as his utmost priority in life which will be seen in his practical life.
If such Christ-likeness is not seen in a Christian believer, he with his faith
will be rejected because of its lack of biblical credibility. If the world
cannot see the heaven-dwelling, non-materialistic and non-worldly person in a
Christian, his kind of Christianity will be dismissed and despised by the
world. It will be identified as a
counterfeit lifestyle and will not be accepted and recognized by the world.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Christ desires that His followers be not counterfeits. He
wants them to have His image on both the believing and the behaving sides of
their lives. He wants them to keep these two sides shining bright and glorious.
He wants them to live in such a way that those who behold their lifestyle will
be able to see the image of Christ on each of them. If only the coins be
willing and submitted to Him so that the image of Christ may be inscribed on
them and be made visible to the onlookers in their practical lives, will they
be seen and recognized as His image bearers. When submitted to the Master
Designer, these lives will be inscribed with His divine nature on them. When
others read these inscriptions, they will both be attracted to Jesus to submit
their lives to Him. If not, they will try to despise, reject and discount the
fraudulent coin and its inscription. It is through such a life of a true disciple
that Christ will turn his world upside down (Acts. 17:6).</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Today if we confess that we are counterfeit coins and have
been a failure in our Christian life, and go to Jesus with a solemn desire to
become His true disciples, Jesus will transform us and write His imprints on
us. This process is the essence of discipleship, for it is through it that He
will slowly but steadily change us into His likeness. Jesus today lovingly
calls us to become His dear disciples. He is asking us to follow Him, go after
Him and go with Him wherever He goes. He wants to bind us to Himself with His
chord of love. He wants His disciples to enjoy the freedom that we have in Him
as we become His slaves of love. He challenges us to be filled with the passion
of His Calvary love. He expects His love to be reflected in our practical
lives. Perhaps the world around and other Christians might call us ‘fanatics’
or ‘fools’ because of the lifestyle we exhibit as true disciples of Jesus. But
that would not bother a true disciple who is sunk in His love. He expects us to
develop such a deep thirst to become His, for Him to do whatever He wants from
us, with our lives and through us. But as we delve deep into true discipleship,
either we will be tempted to quit the discipleship life because of the great
price that we are challenged to pay to continue to be a disciple, or we will be
increasingly willing to pay even the last penny with our lives to be His true
disciples.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>A Supreme Challenge</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This is the supreme challenge of a Christian, to be a true
disciple and to be increasingly like the Master. It also creates the supreme
opportunity to become the best that could be made out of our life here on
earth. It poses the greatest privilege and prerogative of a Christian to be the
disciple of Jesus Christ. It demands the supreme price which is worth all that
it involves. It is a life which is a response to the supreme love that God the
Father has demonstrated on the cross of Calvary through the death of His
Son. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Discipleship is a challenge as much as it is a loving
invitation. The process of discipleship is a greater challenge. Living as a
disciple of Jesus is the greatest challenge. Continuous surrender of all that
we are and have is the greatest of all challenges. It is the supreme challenge
to find ourselves lost in the wonder and awe of the love of God demonstrated on
the cross of Calvary. It demands unconditional consecration and unflinching
sacrifice of all that remains in us, our body, mind, heart, soul, spirit,
aspirations, dreams and fascinations in life. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-87884530010358290112024-01-28T22:37:00.000-08:002024-01-28T22:37:04.848-08:00Counselor's Corner: RESIST AND FLEE <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Counselor’s Corner</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Resist and Flee</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Dear Sir<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I am a teenager, and a college student. I have been struggling in my
Christian life because I feel that I am powerless to resist and flee from sin
and Satan. There are failures in my life and feel sad about it. It leads me to serious
guilt. I genuinely want to flee from sin and resist the devil. But I do not
know how to do it practically. I shared this burden with another believer and
was told that he also has such struggles and didn’t know what to do. Can we not
find victory in our Christian life? Is there any hope for people like me? We do
not know who to ask for help. Please guide us through the pages of your
magazine. <o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sincerely in Christ<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sam</span></b><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Dear Sam:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Thank you for your openness in
writing to me. I understand your struggles which a lot of young believers in
Christ are faced with. The fact that you are sad and feeling guilty is the sign
that you have a genuine interest and commitment to get victory in your
Christian life. Please understand that all Christians, no matter how zealous
and mature they are, have such struggles of varying degrees. This is because we
live in a sinful body and in a sinful environment. The devil is out there as a
roaring lion to devour us and make us fall into sin. If we are not careful, it
is likely that we will experience failure and defeat. But God doesn’t want us to
fall into sin and get defeated. He wants us to be victorious. In fact, we are
declared more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 8:37-40).
He is our model and so we need to live by looking unto Jesus in all our
situations and circumstances (Hebrews 3:1). He is our role model in defeating
Satan. He always used the Word of God, that sharp sword, to defeat Satan. When
the Bible gives us the commandment to resist the devil and flee from him and
his sinful ways, (James 4:7) it necessarily means that our Lord will give us
the power, strength and boldness to resist the devil. This means that we must
use the whole armor of God and fight the devil (Ephesians 6:13-18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever and whenever necessary, we must also
flee the environment and situation which might lead us to defeat and make us
fall into sin. Please read the following verses to get encouragement: 1
Corinthians 10:13; Romans 13:14; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Thessalonians
5:22; Colossians 3:5-10; Matthew 26:41; Galatians 5:16.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">You might be aware of the fact
that sin comes into our lives through our five senses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when we find victory by resisting sin in
our five senses through the power of the Spirit of God, we will be able to
overcome sins in our lives. This victory is ours as we continue to live with
the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives on a daily basis. When we are
filled with the Spirit, we will have the power of the Spirit to resist sin and
flee sin and Satan. We will also experience the control of the Spirit in our
lives. If we try to resist and flee in our own strength and power, we will be
susceptible to fall into sin and get defeat in the hands of the devil. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">I am giving below a few
suggestions for you to consider as you are confronted with the tactics of the
devil to drag you into sin:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If
you are tempted to look at any object, picture, person or material that will create
in you an unholy desire of some sort and entice you, the best course of action
is to close your eyes and start praying for victory in such a temptation. Turn
your head the other way. Fill your mind with godly thoughts as described in
Philippians 4:8. Pray for victory and praise God each time you get victory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Surrender
your eyes and ears to the Lord continuously so that He would take full control
of it. Thus your desire or craving for things that tempt you will come down and
slowly disappear. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Continuously
examine your heart and mind to see if any of the 15 elements of fleshly life
(Galatians 5:19-21) hit your mind. Rebuke it in the power of the Spirit of God
and ask it to leave you in the name of Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:21). Such power
will be yours as you pray intensely and also accompanied with fasting as
appropriately.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pray
continuously for God’s protection against the devil’s attack. Be always aware
of the impending attack of the enemy to capture, manipulate and trap your five
senses somehow to commit sin in your heart.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Keep
away from all spots which might lead you to sin. The nearer you are to these
spots, the easier it is for you to fall to the temptation to sin. These spots
might be places of the presence of certain type of people, institutions and media
inputs like films, literature, music, pictures and any other sensuous elements
in the environment. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always be
conscious of the fact that your heart is given to Jesus to rule as the Lord of
your life. Don’s allow anything like desire for power, prestige, prominence,
position, possessions, worldly acclaim, recognition and appreciation to rule in
your heart. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">g.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Constantly
remind yourself of the fact that you are not your own, but are purchased by
Jesus Christ with His blood. As you belong to Jesus, your Master, every time
your mind or thoughts lean towards any worldly or sinful ways, ask Jesus to
help you not to fall and to protect you (Matthew 6:13). </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">h.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturate yourself with the Word of God which
is your best defense against sin and falling into temptations. Read it
regularly and keep a regular ‘quiet time’ with the Lord. Study the Word and try
to understand its deeper meaning. So when the enemy and temptations come knocking
at the door of your heart, the Holy Spirit who is the writer of the Word will
remind you of appropriate portions to strengthen you so that you can resist the
devil and temptations to sin.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I strongly recommend that you find a prayer partner
with whom you may spend time in 2x2 prayer sessions on a regular basis. This
will be a great support for your spiritual life and will strengthen you
spiritually.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">j.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Be filled with the Spirit of God which means to
be controlled by the Spirit. It involves examining ourselves to identify our
spiritual weaknesses, failures and sinfulness and confess it all wholeheartedly
to the Lord in prayer. It means to confess and express your godly sorrow in
grieving the heart of God with your sins and ask God to forgive all your known
and unknown sins of omission and commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After this, deeply desire for the fullness of the Spirit and pray that
you be filled. As you pray continuously and spend time with the Lord, God will
keep His promise and give you the power of His Spirit and help you to
experience the fullness and control of the Spirit (Luke 11:9-13). Thus you will
experience the renewing of your heart and will be filled with the joy and peace
which are the result of being controlled by the Spirit. You will then be able
to bear the fruit of the Spirit. But please know that this experience has to be
in your life in a continuous manner. Whenever you lose this control of the
Spirit, you will fall a prey to sin and temptations and ultimately to the
enemy’s enticing. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">k.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Spend
more time in fellowship with God’s people. Try not to be alone or get isolated,
but be occupied with God, His people and His Word. When you are thus in regular
fellowship with God, His Word and His people, your spiritual life will be
further strengthened. This is the way to gain more strength on a daily basis to
resist the devil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">l.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Please conduct a Bible study about all your
spiritual positions in the Lord and keep thanking God for giving you all these
positions. This will remind you of your preciousness in the sight of God and
work as a guard against the attacks of the enemy. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">m.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Make
sure not to feed your flesh with anything sinful, sensuous and materialistic. This
means to deny your five senses anything that might tempt you to commit sin in
your heart or with your body. Thus your flesh will be kept week and your spirit
will be strong. This strength will help you not to fall into sin and
temptations. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">n.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Denounce
anything temporal that the world and the enemy offer you. Remember how Abraham
denounced to accept even what was legitimately his, after he defeated the enemy
kings to rescue Lot and his family? (Genesis 14:22). Paul gave another great
challenge when he considered all that the world offered him as garbage
(Philippians 3:7). </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If
you are caught in tight situations, the best course of action is to run for
life and escape sensitive, sensuous and tempting situations before temptations
and sin will overpower you. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">p.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep praising God for every victory God gives
you. At the same time, confess every failure and defeat in your life and ask
for forgiveness and greater strength to resist situations which might lead you
to defeat in your spiritual life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">q.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Remember,
Christian life is a life of warfare. We must remind ourselves that we are
soldiers, in the battlefield. Jesus is our Commander-in-Chief. He has given us
the whole armor of God to use in the battle (Ephesians 6:13-18). Prayerfully
learn to use the whole armor and never take this battle lightly. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">r.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Please study all the verses in the Bible which
speaks of spiritual warfare and the characteristics of the soldier of Jesus
Christ so that you can become a true soldier (Luke 14:25-35; 2 Timothy 2:1,
3-4). Please also study the portions in the Old Testament pertaining to the
wars led by Moses, Joshua and David and learn lessons about fighting the battle
and engaging in incessant prayer (Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:12).</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">s.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Our
warfare against sin, world and Satan is an inch-by-inch battle. It’s tough, but
we are already declared victorious. So let us fight the battle by faith and
claim victory in all areas of our life (Romans 8:37). </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">t.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->No matter what you do in life, do it all in the
name of the Lord and praise God for the enabling (Colossians 3:17). </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">u.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->One
of the ways to engage your mind in godly matters is to get involved in sharing
gospel with the unsaved. It’s also good to get yourself occupied with some spiritual
ministries in your local assembly. Thus your mind will be always be busy with
spiritual matters. Remember: when you keep your life and mind idle, the devil
will make it his workshop to make you fall into sin and unholy things. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Keep
committing yourself with your body, soul, mind, conscience, priorities, likes,
dislikes and interests to the sovereignty of your Lord to use it all for His
glory all through your life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">I hope these insights will help
you to understand how you can resist the devil and flee from sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">May God strengthen you to RESIST SIN
AND THE DEVIL and to FLEE before you might fall into sin! May God help you to
find victory on a daily and hourly basis! Its available for those who ask God
(Psalms 9:10; 86:5).</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">I am praying for you to enjoy
victory so that you will have a joyful Christian life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Yours sincerely</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Oommen Philip</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Today in the WORD</span></b></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-28705498661107109172024-01-09T09:22:00.000-08:002024-01-09T09:22:20.914-08:00Unique Calls @ Critical Times<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;">Unique Calls @ Critical
Times<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <b> </b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Youth
characteristically challenge others with their vigor, vitality, enthusiasm,
intellectualism and creativity. They think, assimilate, move and act at
unprecedentedly fast pace and beat every imagination. They are innovators with
ingenious spirit and adventurers with courage and charisma. So the world is
after them through technology and mind manipulations. Flesh is after them
through temptations. Satan is after them through popularity, prominence and
possessions. Opportunities knock at the doors of their lives with promise of achievement
and recognition. Knowledge is after them with elation. So they run the race for
all these mirages and become disillusioned about life itself. It is then that
they are offered ways to feel ‘high’ with substance that work in their bodies
and minds to drain them of purposefulness in life. In the process, they
challenge many others to travel their ways, but little do they realize that
their followers reach the same destination that they are bound to arrive at –
feeling of emptiness in life. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Youthful
years are full of energy and ideas. They have an answer to every puzzle and a
way out of every mountain trail. They have a whole life time to work on it all
with best prospects. They have plenty of free time, with less responsibilities
and very little accountabilities. They are invariably their own bosses. They
don’t like anyone telling them what to do, eat, dress, study or accomplish goals
in life. They think they are right and others must learn to become wise like
them. They often forget that youthful years are the ripe time to consider the
Creator and see what His ultimate plans for their lives might be.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">God’s focus on the Youth </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
one examines the account of creation in the Bible, one would easily see that
man was created as a resourceful youth and his wife a beautiful young lady.
Considering the present life expectancy, most of those whom the Creator called thereafter
to work for him were young. Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Nehemiah and the
prophets were all called when they were quite young. When one looks into the
gospels, it would be easy to see that the disciples of Jesus were all young
men, in their late teens or early twenties. Then we are presented with an array
of young people like Timothy, Titus, Silas, Epaphroditus and others in the
early church who were young men. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
God especially calls young people for His mission? It is because they have the
energy required for special missions. They have the life span to establish and
accomplish great things to touch the lives of people through the hands of God.
They have the will to make a life-time of commitment. They have the capacity to
develop a long term vision and the strength to see that it is implemented. They
learn the ways of God in His school of faith as they work for Him. They have
the drive to go after their vision relentlessly. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Look into the history of the church </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>History
of the church tells us that God has called scores of young men and women to
accomplish His purpose in building up His kingdom here on earth. So God called
a young lawyer named Charles Finny to lay the foundation for revivalism. He
called a young shoe salesman named Dwight Moody to train young people for world
evangelization. He called William Carey, Adoniram Judson and Hudson Taylor as
founders of modern missionary movement. He made Martin Luther the founder of Reformation.
His call to John Calvin and Zwingli was to interpret the Bible and to establish
doctrinal foundation for the church. He called Billy Graham who founded Youth
for Christ and to start mass evangelism using multimedia to preach to the
entire world. God picked Jim Eliot and four of his friends to reach out to the
savage mountain tribes. When they were martyred, God used their lives to call
over 5,000 youth to obey His call for world missions. He called George Verwer
to establish literature evangelism through Operation Mobilization in unreached
shores of the nations. They were all young men who were totally committed to
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During
the last five centuries, God called scores of His men and women to write hymns,
translate the Bible, develop music, write books and tracts, launch magazines,
start training centers, establish mission hospitals and orphanages and
innumerable other evangelistic and church planting ministries. For evangelizing
India, God raised up missionaries like William Carey, Amy Carmichael and Silas
Fox, native young men like Sadhu Sunder Sing, Bhakta Singh, K.V. Simon and
others. These were all called at their prime youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Critical Times</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
we examine the times at which God called His choice instruments for His
mission, it was always during critical times. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When human race was utterly perverse, God called
a young man named Noah to preach and warn against it and to build an
illustrative ark to show God’s salvation.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When idolatry was rampant and faith utterly
unheard of, God called Abraham to prove his simple and unquestionable faith in
God and in His mighty power and faithfulness.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When morality and truth were unheard of, God
called Joseph to stand for, holiness, faithfulness and hope in Him and to protect
His people Israel.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When God’s people were experiencing
hopelessness, oppression and suppression, God raised up Moses to fearlessly
face the Egyptian Emperor and his nation to release God’s people and lead them
to worship the only true God. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When the enemy destroyed God’s people and their
livelihood, God raised up Gideon to fight and demolish the enemy as the leader
of the army of God.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When monster-like Goliath became a threat to
God’s people, He called David to kill him and defeat all His enemies to
establish a kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When the power of God disappeared from His
people, He called Isaiah to preach and to warn people and to give them the good
news that Jehovah lives to save them.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In the midst of hopelessness, God raised up
Jeremiah to cry for His people as the great intercessor.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When the enemy tried to wipe the Jews from the
face of the earth, God called Esther to intercede for them and to reestablish
hope.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God called Peter and John with their brethren to
follow the way of the cross against the pseudo-religious forces.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God called Paul to take gospel to new
territories and to complete the writing of the New Testament.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God called Timothy to build up the church when
commitment was unknown among people. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>These men and women were willing
to take risks for God and for faith. They gave up everything they had and
sacrificed their lives to stand for God. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Need of the hour</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Our times are critical in many
respects. The world and its agents flesh and Satan, are after the minds of
young people. We live at a time when many young people faint under the
scorching heat of the world and its evil system. We see young people captured
by Satan, flesh and world. Their minds are being manipulated to perpetuate the
evil that is around them. We see youngsters shattered emotionally and confused
spiritually and drifting away from God. Who will deliver them from the clutches
of sin and the world? Who will train up young men and women to help them fight
spiritual battles to salvage the lost youth around them?</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">God is still looking and calling</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God wants somebody to stand in the gap for the
youth around us (Ezekiel 22:30). If not, people will perish.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The prophet is crying and asking as to whether
there is anyone to intercede for the lost (Isaiah 59:16)</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God is looking for the Nehemiah’s around us to
rebuild broken lives, character and families (Nehemiah 1:11)</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God is looking for youngsters who are willing to
listen to Him and obey unconditionally (Haggai 1:1 & 3; Luke 14:35)</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->God wants people to respond willingly and
voluntarily to go for Him and capture lives for Him (Isaiah 6:8)</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 185.35pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What does it cost? </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Obeying God’s call involves your
time, holidays, weekends and evenings, your money and most of all yourself. God
wants you to work hard for Him to reach out to the lost youth. He wants your
abilities, talents, intelligence, enthusiasm, energy, education, profession and
passion that you might be using for temporal gains and fame of this world. He
wants you to pray, talk, cook, serve, walk, climb hills, encourage and counsel
the youth around you. He wants you to be available and avail the opportunities
around you. Open your eyes and see that there are youth all around you who are
drifting away into a Christ-less eternity. Many youth are captured day by day
by the world, flesh and Satan. Will you be concerned about them? Will you give
God the freedom to call you right now to go after the Youth who are escaping
His fold? </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-52052014692635406962023-08-20T18:15:00.001-07:002023-08-22T20:22:56.124-07:00BIBLICAL TENETS IN FAMILY LIFE - IV<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">IV<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Biblical Tenets in Family Life<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">There are a lot of
areas in day to day life where conflicts might emerge in family life. These may
cause disagreements, arguments and fights between husbands and wives, and among
parents and children especially when children grow older. When these conflicts
increase in intensity, it takes away the unity and happiness in family life.
Believers’ families also experience such conflicts at times. Often it affects
mutual love and develops mutual hurts and hatred. In many families, family
prayer and unity get ruptured. In some families, quarrels occur in the presence
of the children and sometimes in the presence of grandchildren also. These
realities need to be examined and handled in a spiritual manner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">If only the couple and
children handle these differences of opinion with much prayer and waiting on
the Lord will they be able to maintain family unity, mutual love and mutual
understanding. In other words, spiritual solutions to the emerging issues will
only help the families to maintain unity and happiness and for sustaining
Christian witness. There’s need for mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21) and
humility on the part of the spouses in all families to avert conflicts and for
resolving fleshly issues. They should take efforts to find out the inner needs
of each other and exercise patience and mutual forgiveness. The members of
families need to build each other up through intensive prayer for each other.
The same is the solution when parents and grown-up children experience
conflicts. Wherever there are difference of opinion, waiting upon the Lord in
prayer and frank and open discussion will only help the couple and children to
reach a mutually satisfying solution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Let’s examine some of
these issues and how these may be handled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Family Relationships:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents’ Relationship with children<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">United
Parents to deal with children (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20; Exodus 20:12;
Proverbs 1:8, 6:20, 30:11, 17)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Children’s
caring for parents in their old age (1 Timothy 5:4; Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs
23:22) is a need-based responsibility of grown-up children. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents
ought to help the children to grow in godly fear and admonition so that it
would cause the parents to rejoice (Proverbs 23:24-25; 2 Timothy 1:5) in them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents
and children ought to grow in holy worship together (Job 1:5)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents
and children ought to make united commitment to the Lord as did Joshua and
Isaiah (Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 8:18).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Family Goals<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">A Christian family ought to have spiritually oriented and
biblically sound goals so as to lead a united spiritual life together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Important Spiritual goals for the
Family <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Daily Family Worship Time<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Keeping a Family Prayer Journal and pray together<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Memorizing Scripture together<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Trying to share the Gospel as a Family <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Using our words to encourage the community with appropriate<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>communication<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Practicing Biblical hospitality wherever possible<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Being generous with others<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.3pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 2.3pt 1.25in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Get spiritually healthy and focus on united spiritual growth for
all family members. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #38761d;">(Joshua
24:15; Job 1:5; Exodus 12:22; Deuteronomy 22:8; Psalms 78:5-8; Proverbs 22:6)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Evangelistic goals <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Praying for the unsaved around the
family and around the world<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Developing a missionary-minded family
(Acts 21:8-9; Isaiah 8:18)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Social goals<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Showing Christian love to neighbors,
colleagues and friends (Mark 12:30-31) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Church goals</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Psalms 128:3; Ephesians 5:21; Acts
2:42)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Attending
church gatherings without fail<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Getting
involved with church fellowship and building up relationships<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Showing
spiritual loyalty to church doctrines and practices<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sharing
from material blessings for the church’s ministries<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 39.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 39pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Family Timeframe<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Setting
apart priority and quality time of family members for God and spiritual matters
(Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Developing
family time for the common interests and goals of the members with primary
focus on spiritual matters (Psalms 128:3; Isaiah 8:18) </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Family Income <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Financial matters
often cause difficulties in family life. Sufficient, surplus or insufficient
income may cause different types of conflicts in families. The following may be
kept in mind when handling financial matters of the family: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Who
between the spouses makes how much is often a matter of sad comparisons and
related superiority or inferiority in attitude. This may be carefully guarded
against. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">True
spousal partnership may be understood in such a way that all income is pooled
together and considered as “our income” given to us by the Lord rather than “my
income” and “your income”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There
may be clear, prayerful and united understanding about spending
responsibilities for basic necessities and needs of the family. As disciples of
Christ, all possible luxuries and extravagance may be brought to the minimum so
that it can be set apart for the Lord’s work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is good to prepare a family budget so that the family may live within the
means, without creating debt. This may be done with united and individual
prayer and in mutual consultation, agreement and consent with responsibility
and accountability. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All
secret or hidden use of money may be avoided and any payment in emergencies may
be communicated to the spouse at the earliest opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There
may be a systematic way to give to Gospel work, missions, Christian workers,
the church, family members in need and the poor. It may be done with much
prayer and waiting on the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All
decisions to support elderly parents and other relatives on the basis of need
may be done with mutual consultation and united prayer by the spouses. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
family has the biblical responsibility to follow the principles of Christian
Discipleship about earning, spending, saving, debt and investment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Addictions of Family Members:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Overindulgence
in sports/work/business will reduce quality family time and will take its toll
on the spirituality of the Christian family. It will also affect the
opportunity of the family to attend to gatherings in the church (Acts
2:42).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Possible
addiction to Television viewing, watching secular movies, spending time for entertainment,
use of the Internet, indulgence in non-prescription drugs, consumption of
intoxicants and anonymous alcoholism are all the work of the flesh. A Christian
family may teach biblical truths about these to the children. If there is a
failure on the part of any member of the family, the matter may be handled with
intense prayer to get spiritual victory over these fleshly insurgencies in
Christian families (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:15-20).<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>
<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Divorce<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Separation and divorce
as two major consequences of un-spirituality and fleshly attitude and
subsequent conflicts in Christian families. All Christians and churches must
guard against these menaces in Christian families. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Marriage is a covenant
for a life time together. It centers on the following divine stipulations: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God hates divorce</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: (Malachi 2:13-17) A Christian believer ought to have the same attitude
to divorce. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus taught against divorce</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18).
We must adhere to what is taught by Jesus if He is the Lord of our lives and
our marriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Apostolic teaching is against divorce</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: (Romans 7:2-3: 1 Corinthians 7:39). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The marriage oath is for a lifetime and will be terminated at the rapture
or at the death of one of the partners</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. No human authority has any right to sever what God has
joined together (Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A three</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-fold chord</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (husband-wife-God) will not be
quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). If this truth is adhered to, a Christian
couple could weather away any storm that might beat against their family
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Apostles received
these instructions from the risen Lord and passed it on to Christian believers
to obey and follow without altering it in any way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">When early symptoms of
disagreements between husband and wife appear, if they cannot resolve it
themselves, they may seek biblical counseling to resolve the issues and
problems. If there is any issue related to sickness of any sort (physical or
emotional), its best to get medical help or counseling, as appropriately. But
one should not be tempted to use it as a reason for separation or divorce.
Whatever causes might be seen in a family, it has to be addressed with
patience, mutual forgiveness and united prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remarriage of divorcees <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">The Bible allows
remarriage if only one of the spouses is no more alive. If one of the partners
leaves (earns a divorce through a court for reasons of faith or any other), the
believing partner has to remain unmarried as long as the first party is alive
(Romans 7:2-3). As long as both parties are alive, (even if they are divorced
through a court of law or separated involuntarily), they are still married in
the sight of God. (“For what God has joined together let man not separate”
Matthew 19:6). A believer cannot break this principle because any remarriage
when the original partner is alive will make the remarried person and the new
spouse adulterers. For it is a grave sin when a person becomes one flesh with
more than one person as long as the original spouse is alive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Biblical Solution for marital discord </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">No matter what the
issues in family life are, God’s children are to forgive and accept each other
through reconciliation and leave the consequence for God to handle. All issues
which have caused emotional hurt to the life partner ought to be confessed and
repented of. Subsequently the partner who caused hurt to the other partner
ought to ask for forgiveness from the hurting partner. Sufficient caution may
be exercised to guard against repeating such atrocities against each other in
the future. The partner who felt hurt ought to forgive the offence and pray for
the spiritual strengthening of the offending partner. Mature believers and the
church ought to help the couple get reconciled to each other when early
symptoms of discord appear. No one, including parents and in-laws, should enter
the scene to take sides and add oil to fire, but only pray and open channels of
communication. Believers and friends of the spouses may be asked to desist from
spreading assumptions and gossips about the couple who face conflicts which
might otherwise increase the intensity of the existing conflicts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Every life partner
ought to realize that they are to redeem their spouse and children and live in
the fear of the Lord. We must realize that we are all under serious attack of
the enemy (John 10:10). We must help our spouses and children to get a release
from the attack of the enemy and live a victorious family life for the glory of
God through intense and burdensome prayer of importunity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">May the Lord Jesus
Christ strengthen the Christian families to adhere to the biblical principles
of family living and live with mutual love and forgiveness so that our families
may be strengthened spiritually and emotionally! May it all be for the glory of
the Lord Jesus who is our Heavenly Bridegroom! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Remember: </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jesus Christ is the answer to all our
problems in this world; <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">He can give us solutions if we pray
and commit ourselves to obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jeremiah 8:22</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-34994691558268012432023-05-30T09:34:00.000-07:002023-05-30T09:34:10.646-07:00MY BRIDGE!<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">MY BRIDGE</span></b></p><div style="outline: none !important;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">He built a bridge for me to come to Him and for Him to come to me. </span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Better yet, He Himself has become the </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">BRIDGE.</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">He became the </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">BRIDGE </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">over my troubled waters. </span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When things get rough</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When the going gets tough</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When I am down and out</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When friends just can't be found</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When it's stark dark outside</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When I seem to get lost and lost my way</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When I wander down dark avenues</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When it's dusk and I'm all alone</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When tears roll down my eyes</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">During my sleepless nights</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">When I need comfort, compassion, hope and a touch of love</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">He is my </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">BRIDGE</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">HE ALWAYS COMES, EVEN WHEN I THINK IT'S LATE</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">HE PUTS HIS NAILPIERCED HAND AROUND ME</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">HE Sings a love song into my ears</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">That's my Jesus</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Forever the one and only true never-changing FRIEND!</span></b></div><div style="outline: none !important; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">HALLELULIAH! WHAT A TRUE FRIEND AND </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">BRIDGE!</span></b></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-51139324448405873252023-02-23T16:48:00.000-08:002023-02-23T16:48:36.468-08:00MY RESPONSE TO GOD'S LOVE TO ME!<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">My Response to God's Love To Me! </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><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 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>"God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, </b></i></span></span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Christ died for us" </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Romans 5:8: </i></b></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">How am I demonstrating my love to the Lord in return!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">How do I clearly prove my gratitude to the One who proved His love for me? </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">How do I take up the challenge of my love to Him in return? </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Is my response haphazard or genuine? </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Is my love to Him deeply passionate and self-sacrificing? Or is it part of my religiosity?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Am I at least desirous of giving my best to Him who gave His best for me?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">I often sing aloud: "ALL to JESUS I SURRENDER". BUT DO I Mean it with my whole heart, soul, might and with all sincerity? Please help me to re-evaluate my heart and my life, dear Lord! </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">IS IT LIKE THE RESPONSE OF ANANIAS and SAPHIRA? Holding part of it for myself and pretend and impress upon others that I have given everything? </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Is it LIKE THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH WHO GAVE HER LAST and only remaining BREAD TO THE PROPHET!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Is it LIKE what HANNAH did when she GAVE HER ONE AND ONLY SON SAMUEL TO JEHOVAH! Or do I give my Samuel to the world and its popularity and prestige in this world? </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Is it LIKE ABRAHAM WHO WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON ISAAC!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Can it be compared with THE BOY WHO GAVE HIS WHOLE LUNCH OF FIVE BARLEY DOSA AND 2 NETHOLI FRY TO JESUS! </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">"SHAME ON ME, LORD! I HAVE NOT GIVEN AT LEAST 10% OF MY TIME, TREASURE, TALENTS, TASTES, PRIORITIES, LIKES, GOALS, CHILDREN, FAMILY AND ASSETS TO YOU! (If it is 10% under the Law, how much more it should have been under GRACE)?</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">*PARDON ME, LORD, FOR BEING SUCH AN UNGRATEFUL SOUL*</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">*PLEASE HELP ME TO REBUILD MY LIFE FOR YOU BECAUSE ITS ALL YOURS, LORD!*</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"PARDON ME, LORD, FOR GIVING MOST OF WHAT I HAVE TO THE WORLD AND ALLOW IT TO BE PERISHED".</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"PLEASE HELP ME TO REBUILD MY LIFE"! </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">MY PRAYER TODAY AND EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE: </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">"Dear Jesus, Thou Art Everything to me</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">And Everything I own I give to Thee!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">My wealth, talents and time</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">But most of all, dear Lord</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">I give myself to Thee" AMEN!</span></b></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-72063525554506079292023-02-13T09:14:00.002-08:002023-08-23T12:15:05.516-07:00Biblical Tenets in Family Life 3<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Biblical Tenets in Family Life 3<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">God has designed the family in such a
way that its participants will take up their responsibilities and roles to
fulfill the purpose for which it is established. These roles are defined and
clarified by God in the Bible through teachings, biographies, events and
illustrations. Let’s enumerate these and try to see to what extent it is seen
in our lives. </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Role of a Husband:</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">
</span></b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Spiritual
and economic head: (Ephesians 5:23)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leader
of the wife and the children: (1 Timothy 3:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Loving
the wife and making it felt and experienced (Ephesians 5:25-32/Colossians 3:20)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Live
with wife in understanding (1 Peter 3:7)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be
a participative manager of your home and not an autocrat (1 Timothy 3:4) <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be
the main breadwinner except in unavoidable circumstances (Genesis 2:15;
3:17-19; 1 Timothy 5:8)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Honoring
the wife before God and man<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Peter
3:7)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear husband</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: To what extent do you fulfill these
roles that the Bible has given you? </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Dear wife<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:</i></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> To what extent are you helping your
husband to fulfill these roles and responsibilities in your family life? ) </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Role of a </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wife:</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Follow
the husband in all aspects of the family where the husband is appointed as head
and leader (Ephesians 5:24)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Willing
submission to husband (Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:19)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Love
the husband unconditionally (Titus 2:3-5)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Respect
the husband in the heart and in public behavior (Ephesians 5:33)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be
a true help-meet for the husband in all possible circumstances (Genesis 2:18)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Manage
the house to please God and your husband (1 Timothy 5:14)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be
a loving guide and nurturing mother of the children physically, emotionally and
spiritually (Proverbs 6:20)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Help
your husband to build a team where you both and your children work together as
a witness to Gospel. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear wife</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: To what extent do you fulfill these
roles that the Bible has given you? </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Dear husband</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">: To what extent are you helping your wife to fulfill these roles and
responsibilities in your family life? ) </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Parents’ Responsibility to their Children</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colossians 3:20/Ephesians 6:1-2</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Children
must be trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 6:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is the responsibility of both the parents to teach and train their children;
the wife may get involved under the leadership of the husband in this ministry
(Colossians 3:20) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Children
must obey the parents and the Lord in all things – even when you don’t agree
and in spite of consequences (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is a part of the Ten Commandments:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children must respect their parents (Exodus 20:12)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is through obedience and submission that the children become a reward and a
heritage from the Lord to the parents (Psalms 127:3). Parents should help the
children to understand this truth and help fulfill it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents,
remember: Children obey the ‘united’ parents (Ephesians 6:1): father leading
and mother guiding<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parents:
Don’t contradict or argue with each other in front of the children; you must
exhibit your unity in front of them <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Parents:
Don’t allow the children to divide the parents for selfish reasons</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: red;">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Parents
may handle children: </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Carefully
– because they are physically, emotionally and spiritually fragile <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Positively
– because they live in a negative environment of this world which will
discourage them<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Creatively
– lead them by using innovative and pleasing approaches<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripturally
– by helping them to obey the commandments and approaches shown in the Bible.
You need to be example for them in this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lovingly
– by expressing love in conversation and actions<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Respectfully
– by recognizing their individuality and capabilities <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By
appreciating their talents and skills and build it up<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By
showing them acceptance even when they face failures in life<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Deal
without comparing them with your other children and others’ children<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Avoid
public punishment or criticism to prevent embarrassment for the children
(handle discipline privately)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Handle
without showing partiality, favoritism or bias of any sort among your children<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let
children know that there is no appeal court at home – father and mother may handle
children in unity <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Help
children to work with parents in innovative family projects<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
children feedback through positive communication/interaction <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
not cruelly tease children publicly or otherwise about their weaknesses and
failures <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
not gossip about children to their siblings<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Listen
to your children properly in all situations and give them opportunity to speak<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
punish children for mistakes without proper investigation <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
punish children when parents are angry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach children without assuming that
they learn on their own (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Disciplining children is a parental
positive responsibility (Ephesians 6:4). It involves teaching and training lovingly
to which children may be helped to respond with learning and obedience
(Proverbs 1:8 & 6:20) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When terms or standards of discipline
are violated, sufficient warnings may be issued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Positive punishment may follow only at that
stage. In the process, parents:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
not cause children to be discouraged (Ephesians 6:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
discipline children positively and for positive results (Hebrews 12:11)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
not embitter children through parental actions (Colossians 3:21) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
not cause crushing of children’s spirits <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Children’s Responsibilities</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Hear,
listen attentively and obey parents (Ephesians 6:1; Proverbs 1:8, 4:1,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Honor
parents in their hearts and publicly (Ephesians 6:2) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Children
should not lose their reward through disobedience (Ephesians 6:3) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
not grieve and hurt your parents through disobedience (Genesis 26:34-35)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Children
may be encouraged to pray regularly for their parents </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Result of obedience to parents</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo9; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">It
pleases parents (Colossians 3:20)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo9; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
pleases God: 1 John 5:3 – a mark of love<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo9; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
has a reward (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo9; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Obedience
leads to satisfaction for both parents and children (Acts. 8:39) </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Parents need to be aware of the following hindrances in
children’s lives </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">They grow in a
rebellious, contemporary and secular culture<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They are forced
to follow the modern education system which has elements of ungodly syllabus, ungodly
system of learning and unsaved teachers<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">School/College
Politics, and unspiritual moral and social culture<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Possibility in
studying and working in places where there are no opportunity for Christian fellowship
which may be avoided as much as possible <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ungodly
peers/friends and classmates <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Influence of the
Media: TV / Movies / Internet / Cell Phone / yellow journalism / secular
fiction / secular entertainment / imitation of celebrities <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Craving to play or
overindulgence in watching sports and games and desire to imitate sports
heroes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Attraction
towards Wealth/Materialism and Worldliness and goals in life related to
amassing possession, position, prestige, prominence, privileges, popularity and
power and temptation to acquire it<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Evil situations
or events around them<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Worldliness and
the Vanity Fair<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fashion and dress
to promote the self or cause others to be tempted <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mind manipulation
through commercial advertisements <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Influence of
Youth leaders with false teachings <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Prompting of the
media to enhance self esteem and importance of the self <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The attractions
of the Business world and its practices </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">How to make children obey? </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo11; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Emulation
– set the best possible example for them to follow <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo11; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Suggestion
– make powerful suggestions to help them to follow it willingly<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo11; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Persuasion
– use love and affection, not bribery, and be a counselor to children <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo11; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Coercion
– bend the children's hearts and will, but don’t break; be firm and friendly</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">(Dear Parents: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To what
extent do you fulfill the roles given to you by the Bible towards your
children?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Dear Children: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To what
extent do you help your parents to fulfill their responsibilities towards you?)</i></span></span></b></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-64668701569130621252022-12-13T10:00:00.001-08:002022-12-15T15:47:07.122-08:00HEART LIKE EZRA! <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;"><b>Heart Like Ezra</b></span></span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel" Ezra 7:10</i></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>The experience of Ezra, the High Priest, teaches us that in order to be of use to the Lord as His instrument, he had to prepare his heart according to the law of the Lord. His preparation is a challenge for us as we desire to become instruments in the Lord's hands. </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Preparing Ezra's heart included:</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True repentance and confession of past sins, failures and unbelief.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True commitment to what God has revealed. </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True obedience to the commandments of God.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True desire to learn more of God's truths.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True craving to pass these truths on to others </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>True allegiance to the truths in practical life.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Continue to confess our inadequacies and shortcomings in fully obeying the Lord's commandments.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Seek to bear witness to the truths that he believed in.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Speak powerfully the message of God to the people.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Seek to continue to learn from the Lord new truths and the intensity of these truths so that it can become a reality in his life and that of others.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Prayer for Today</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"O God! I pray that I may be envisioned to develop true spirituality and be filled with Your Spirit in my life. Help me to cultivate true spiritual desires in my life to enable me to serve You today and on all the days of my life! In Jesus' Name! Amen!" </b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-62695511707124639462022-12-13T09:37:00.002-08:002022-12-15T15:57:09.206-08:00SWEET AROMA FOR CHRIST!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sweet Aroma for Christ!</span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;">Victorious Christian Life stems from the altar of true worship and sacrifice produces sweet-smelling aroma from us to Jesus!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"> 2 Corinthians 2:14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">This sweet aroma can be evident in God’s children through our response to this knowledge which is planted in us in </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">OUR ATTITUDE</span><span style="font-size: medium;">TO THE LORD JESUS AND HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PERSON AND WORK PRODUCE RECOGNIZABLE RESULTS IN US</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT HAS TO BE EVIDENT TO ALL WHO CROSS OUR PATHWAYS AS TO HOW WE RELATE TO THEM AND THE QUALITY OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT HAS TO BE SEEN IN THE SPIRITUAL TENOR OF OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IN LIFE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT IS SEEN IN RELATION TO QUANTITY AND LEVEL OF THE MATERIAL THINGS THAT WE ARE LINKED WITH</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT IS PICTURED IN THE LIGHT OF OUR RESPONSE TO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, NO MATTER HOW CUMBERSOME THEY MIGHT BE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT IS SEEN IN THE EXERCISE OF OUR WILL IN MAKING DECISIONS WHICH WILL HAVE RELEVANCE TO ETERNITY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT IS UNDERSTOOD IN THE LIGHT OF OUR PRIORITIES IN LIFE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT GETS LINKED WITH OUR LIKES AND DISLIKES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT BECOMES A RESPONSE TO OUR THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND APPRECIATION TO ALL THAT WE SEE AROUND US</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT TELLS A LOT ABOUT WHERE OUR EMOTIONS OF ALL KINDS ARE LINKED </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT STEMS FROM THE QUALITY OF OUR CONTINUOUS REPENTANT LIFE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT SHOWS THE EXTENT OF OUR DEPENDANCE ON GOD</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT EXPOSES THE EXTENT OF THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR SELF</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT BECOMES AN EXTENSION OF THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE OF DEVOTION</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT COMES OUT OF THE QUALITY AND EXTENT OF OUR PRAYER LIFE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT SPEAKS LOUDLY ABOUT HOW AND HOWMUCH WE ENJOY HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT DECLARES HOW MUCH VALUE WE ATTRIBUTE TO ETERNITY AND OUR LORD JESUS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>IT ANNOUNCES HOW WE CRAVE TO SEE OUR LORD AT HIS APPEARANCE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer for Today:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: medium;"><b>“Oh! God! Please pardon my failures in producing sweet-smelling aroma for You. Please help me today to produce spiritual fragrance to minister unto Your heart. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!”</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-43703893837615928372022-12-13T09:13:00.000-08:002022-12-13T09:13:00.539-08:00GOD'S DELAYS IN OUR LIVES! <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Our God Who Delays!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us". </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Let's don't let anything that's happening around us take away our joy. Its human nature to get impatient when things become slow and we become discontented and get frustrated. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Let's learn to rejoice in the delay of life! Let's learn patience to wait for the Lord's time and not to get disturbed or agitated. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Let's see how and why God 'delayed' the birth of Isaac and later Jacob. It was to build up the faith of Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Rebekah. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>See how God delayed the fulfilment of the dreams of Joseph and how he was elevated to be the ruler of Egypt more than 13 years after the dreams. His brothers fell at his feet about 15 hears after he got his dreams. God delayed to build up Joseph and equipped him to meet the challenges of his elevation. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>God delayed the arrival of Samuel in the life of Hannah! She suffered ridicule and mockery from Peninnah. She prayed for a child and God gave her the faith to wait upon the Lord for His time. Her faith and patience were rewarded by giving her six children when she only asked for one child. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Our God is the God of delays! He is not in a hurry! He has a set time which is His perfect time to fulfill His promises in our lives. He is a Builder of lives and He creates and recreates slowly, steadily and systematically to help His children to mature in faith.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>God's delays are His appointment for His perfect time. The concept of "delay" is only in the perception of man and not God's. God's time frame is always perfect. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>But God's seeming delays are not inactivity, but preparation to build our faith up! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>God seems to delay, but never forgets His promises. He remembered Abraham, Rachel and Hannah and met their needs and desires according to His perfect will and at His perfect time! He gave them the faith to wait for His perfect time and to build up their faith to wait for His time. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>God's seeming delays are because He is building lives of faith as strong as oaks and olive trees out of us and not as grass which withers away within a few days. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>He delayed Israel's wilderness journey for 40 years to teach them lessons of faith and also because of their disobedience! Israel had to be ready for Canaan by exercising their faith. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Israel had to walk around the wall of Jericho for 7 days before the wall fell so that they would learn to obey God and to build up their faith to wait for God's time. This was God's way to teach them patience and to mature their faith. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>His 'seeming' delays in our lives are our learning experience in His School of Patience! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Shall we praise God for His 'delays' in our lives and submit ourselves into His hands and His timeframe to learn patience and to become mature in our faith!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer for Today</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>"O God! Strengthen my faith and help me to mature in my trust in You so that I would never complain or have anxiety about the 'seeming' delays in my life. Help me, O God, to learn patience and wait joyfully for your time to come like Abraham, Isaac and Hannah and never complain. Forgive my impatience, Father! In Jesus' name! Amen"!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></b></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-31905723507486607412022-10-20T09:40:00.001-07:002023-08-23T12:15:57.663-07:00BIBLICAL TENETS IN FAMILY LIFE - 2<p> </p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Biblical Tenets in Family Life -2</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Christian family life is based on
biblical tenets which are God’s desires and priorities for every Christian
couple at all times. We must understand that the spouses are invariably
incapable of keeping family life in a complementary manner and in its
perfection on the spouses’ own power and strength. Mere human wisdom,
education, skills and aptitudes are insufficient to blend a husband and a wife with
each other as a godly couple. That’s why the Bible gives them both clear
instructions to follow in their family relations, roles and responsibilities. Every
Christian couple has to heed to these commands of the Bible so that they can
fulfill the purposes for which God has united them. God unites a couple and
gives them the desire and faculties to blend together by trusting in divine
strength and the power from above. In order to accomplish such a level of
family blending and bonding, the spouses will have to work hard to mesh with
each other and build each other up practically by using the God-given
inclinations, qualities and desires.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s examine some of these
instructions and seek the help of God to apply these in our family lives. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Biblical admonition to
the spouses </span></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To
the husband: Love the wife – he is to love her without reservation and
preconditions, and God will make the wife to submit to him as the head<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the family (Ephesians 5:25-32; 1
Corinthians 11:3). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To
the wife: Submit to husband without reservation (obey/agree/accept/respect) –
and God will make her husband to love her without reservation (Ephesians
5:22-24). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To
husband: (a) Love the wife (even when there might be reasons not to love her
without reservation); (b) he is not to be harsh and bitter to the wife
(Colossians 3:19); (c) he is to lead and guide her spiritually and in every
practical aspect of family life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To
wife: Enjoy submitting to him from your heart and not for the sake of it. (God
knows it may not be easy to submit to a person whose weaknesses are known to
the wife. But God will give her the strength and grace to do it) (1 Corinthians
7:13-14) <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Special counsel to the Husband</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Love
your wife and prove it, just as Jesus loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Jesus
loved and gave Himself for the church as proof of His love to the church.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How
to give oneself to the wife? In what all areas of life? One may explore this
with prayer and meditation of the Word of God and by following the examples of
biblical characters like Isaac, Joshua, Isaiah, Aquila, Zechariahs, Philemon
and the like.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
her your time – be with her and spend quality time together (Genesis 26:8).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
her your presence (1 Corinthians 7:5). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
her your maximum attention (Song of Solomon 2:16).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
her appreciation for what she does for you, for the children, for your parents,
guests and the members of the extended family (Proverbs 31:10-11). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
her recognition for what she has done in life and for you and your family
(Proverbs 31:28-29). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give
yourself to her unselfishly, without expecting anything in return (this is
agape' love) (Ephesians 5:25).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Avoid
harsh/sharp words that will cut, hurt and wound her feelings – guard against
verbal abuse (Colossians 3:19).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No
tit-for-tat – no scoring goals to her goal post and to 'enjoy' making her
losing verbatim to you (James 3:10-12).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No
win-lose battle, but develop win-win discussions and projects of love and care
between the two of you (James 3:17-18).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No
retaliation or vengeance, because she is your God-given partner and not your
enemy or opponent (Ephesians 6:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
use 'silence' as a weapon because it is sharper than most other weapons in hurting
her feelings (Ephesians 6:19-21).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Through
your behavior to her, teach your sons how to love and care for their spouses in
the future (Ephesians 5:21).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If
you sow the seeds of contempt, abuse and hatred, you will definitely reap its
results of the same kind in larger volume sooner or later (Galatians 6:7-9).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your
hands are not to hurt her, but to touch and arouse her, give her security and
reassurance in life and to heal all her hurts (Song of Solomon 8:5-6).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Love
her like you love your body, and treat her carefully, with dignity and respect
(Ephesians 5:28 & 29). Remember that her emotions are fragile and so handle
with care. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn
the Scriptures well so that you will be able to teach her (1 Corinthians
14:35). You must prepare very well to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let
your treatment of her teach your sons how to love and cherish their wives when
they are married. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Special counsel to the wife</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Submit
joyfully to your husband because it is a commandment of Jesus and that Jesus
deserves your obedience (Colossians 3:18). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember
that Jesus submits to the Father even when they are co-equal in everything.
This is your best model for learning submission (1 Corinthians 11:3)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider
the fact that we obey and submit to all laws of our lands, including police,
traffic wardens, judges, constitution, teachers and leaders; if so, why can’t
we submit to the life-partner who is given to us by God? (Titus 3:1-2).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leave
consequences of your submission to the Lord (Numbers 30)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
or say everything to the husband to protect mutual dignity, testimony and
status (1 Corinthians 7:16-17).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be
presentable to him so you will arouse his emotions through his eyes and ears
(Song of Solomon 4:9-16).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Support
his cause and stand with him in a crisis (Proverbs 31:10-11). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Encourage
him in his work and in spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 7:14).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
nag him (no scolding; no fault finding; no pestering or hassling) (Proverbs 15:1;
21:9, 11).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
openly criticize him, but let your words always be positive so as to help him
focus on rebuilding his life and his family life, and to learn lessons from his
failures and weaknesses (Proverbs 25:24). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let
your treatment of him teach your daughters how to love and cherish their
husbands as they get older (Proverbs 24:3).. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">To the husbands and wives in common</span></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He/she
is the spouse of your covenant in the presence of God; so be truthful and
honest to God in your oath in God’s presence, and to each other (Philippians
4:8; James 4:7-10).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your
spouse is the greatest gift God has given you, after the salvation of your
soul. So thank God for the gift that God has chosen for you from all around the
world and be grateful for the life partner all through life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Treat
the spouse as gift with respect and dignity for the sake of your gratitude to the
Giver and love for the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Take
a life time to unwrap, explore and enjoy the wonder of the gift of your spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">:
You get what you deserve, and so don’t blame the other person for your
dissatisfaction with each other, but learn to accept what you got – because
that person is given to you by the Lord. Be thankful to God for your spouse.</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Remember:</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">
You got what you wanted (Money/Education/Looks/Job/?) – Now learn to love and
like that person and thank God for finding him/her for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If
your life partner is seen to be a misfit because of his or her character,
habits, behavior and attitude, you may consider yourself to be the therapy (and
therapist) to bring that person to be the one who would mesh with you and to
fulfill all your desires, through intense prayer, forgiveness and patience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Biblical formula for success in Family Life</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pray together – like Isaac and
Rebekah: Genesis 25:21<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Give to God all that He gives you
(spouse, children and circumstances) – like Hannah: 1 Samuel 2:21<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Submit – like Abigail: 1 Samuel
25:24, 36 – Confess each other’s sins; wait patiently for God to act on the
basis of your confession<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Organize joint prayer time as a daily
exercise and for specific causes, burdens and concerns (1 Corinthians 7:5),
apart from the regular family prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayerfully work to keep your spouse
and family life sanctified (Ephesians 5:26-27) <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ask
God to help you to understand that proper leaving (holy detachment) and
cleaving (holy attachment) is not an option, but an unchangeable biblical truth,
so that you can appreciate and enjoy it practically (Ephesians 5:31)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">g.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Endeavour to serving the Lord
together with your spouse and family, like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26)
and Philemon and Apphia (Philemon 1-2) <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">h.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Consultation in decisions: Four eyes
will see things better than two, and so it is best to consult with each other
in all matters of common interest. But if there is a stalemate, the husband is
given the prerogative for the last word in that matter by the Word of God
because he is divinely appointed as the leader of the family. Leave his
mistakes to the Lord to handle (Numbers 30) as you battle for him in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joint
bank account and budgeting for all family income and expenses is the most
biblical approach (Genesis 2:24; 5:1), but practice it by grace and not
man-made law. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">j.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>All
giving for all causes may be after mutual consultation and prayer with unity,
wherever possible, except in emergencies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Remember: </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Family life is a series
of new beginnings, starting anew each morning, with Jesus. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Try and burry the past
failures and expect something new from God every day. </b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-17669038167743004602022-09-02T05:34:00.007-07:002023-08-23T12:16:36.799-07:00BIBLICAL TENETS IN FAMILY LIFE -1 <p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Biblical Tenets in Family Life -1</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">It has pleased God to reveal His plan, will and desire for the marriage
and family life of all God's children. These tenets are given to us in His Book
of Love, the Bible, to humanity. God expects every one of His children to
follow these truths in order to lead a happy, satisfying and successful family
life. These truths are universal and all pervasive and applicable at all times,
places and cultures. Let’s summarize these tenets in order to lay strong
foundation for our family lives in modern times.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Basic family truths</span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is a relationship established by God. The idea is His and He did everything to
join two lives together for supernatural objectives (Genesis 1:27-31). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is God’s resolve to remove loneliness and friendlessness in human beings
(Genesis 2:18; Psalms 68:6).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">God
has established a family as a basic unit to create a moral society where a
couple is put in a personal cubicle called a family with dignity, privacy,
exclusive friendship and mutual trust (1 Corinthians 7:2).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">It
is God who joins together a man and a woman whom God created as two unique
personalities and make them complementary to each other. God bless them as a
unique entity and give them unity in purpose, one common name and same goals in
life to pursue. The couple is expected to follow this philosophy in family life
(Genesis 5:1-2). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">In
marriage, the couple is expected to join together in the physical, emotional,
volitional, spiritual and intellectual realms of life. Here two lives enjoy and
experience holy detachment from all other relationships and join together to
share wide and varied experiences for mutual care, satisfaction and fulfillment
(Genesis 2:24).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is a permanent relationship while both are here on earth (Romans 7:2-3).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">It
has great spiritual significance – Husband is a picture of Jesus Christ and
wife a picture of the Church which is His Bride (Ephesians 5:31-32; Matthew
19:4-6).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is a partnership, deep mutual friendship, teamwork, cooperation, fellowship,
collaboration and mutual sharing of a man and a woman for a life time (Matthew
19:4-6). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">A
Christian marriage is a one-way walk where Jesus, man and woman hold hands
together and go on a pilgrimage (1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Ephesians 5:21-6:4).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">All
marriages start in happiness, thrill, and excitement and with great
expectations; but all marriages before the rapture end in tears (Genesis
2:22-24; Genesis 23:1-2). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
exhibits the couples’ vulnerabilities, weaknesses, failures and defeats to each
other, thus making them humble. At the same time, marriage exhibits the
couples’ built-up strengths to themselves and others if they take pains to
build it up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is neither a battleground to win war between the couple nor a playground to
score goals to each other. It is a two-member team working together to
accomplish divine purposes in this world (1 Corinthians 7:1-7; Ephesians
5:22-32; 1 Peter 3:7). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">As
the founder of marriage, God intends it for the blessings, comfort, joy,
satisfaction, mutual building up, support and encouragement of the couple. Both
the partners must work hard for these goals to be accomplished with the help of
the Holy Spirit through the exercise of faith. Together they must guard against
the wiles of the enemy to destroy their family life (John 10:10). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
takes place in heaven, but it is lived in the rough patches of the world here
on earth. The couple should be aware of the fact that the enemy is around to
use his strategy to destroy it (1 Peter 5:8). <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is a place of sacrifice of one's life for the life partner, a place of
surrender of love for each other, opportunity to give oneself to the other
person, a place to build each other up within a life time and a platform to
explore, serve, understand and enjoy each other (1 Corinthians &;3-4;
Psalms 128; Proverbs 18:22).<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Marriage
is a school of God where the couple learns patience, trust, forgiveness and
faithfulness together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">It
is a school of love where the life partners, whom God gave to each other as the
greatest gift in life, to learn to love each other, even if they are found to
be not-so-lovable and not-so-likable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this might be an illusion or a reality that is experienced by one or
both the couple sometime after getting married. If it is an illusion, they must
work together in prayer to build it up in such a way that it becomes a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">It
is a school for a life time for the couple to learn from each other great
lessons in life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">It
takes a diamond to cut another diamond and so the enemy of our souls uses us,
the diamonds of Jesus, to cut and inflict pain on each other, if we allow him.
When we cut and bruise each other with unpleasant or unkind words, attitude and
behavior, it will hurt both the spouses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will also affect the children when the spouses quarrel in their
presence, leaving them discouraged, and drive them to backsliding and even to
lose their faith.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Getting to know and
mutual building up </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
spouses ought to love each other without reservation. If they lack the ability
to do so, they may pray and seek the help of God for mutual love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
couples ought to understand each other through free flow of communication:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>verbal, non-verbal – with
eyes/gestures/sound/signs/body movements.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">They
may build up their understanding of each other as they are engaged in joint
family activities as partners. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their
understanding of each other may grow as they spend time together at home and
outside during household chores, spiritual activities, social interactions and
leisure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
husband and wife should build each other up as they experience each other in
their attitude, actions and behavior and exhibit spirituality towards each
other. They may facilitate mutual spiritual build-up through regular times of
prayer together and the study of the Word which will help them to understand
the various areas of spiritual needs of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
couple may get to know each other better as they are involved in spiritual
ministries together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">They
may find out more about each other as they share their interests and desires
individually and for each other. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">When
the couple engages in handling of problems, burdens, desires, likes, dislikes
and priorities of each other, their insights about each other will
enhance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">When
they converse together, the couple will be able to give up selfish interests
and give in for the other person's priorities, likes and dislikes and thus
understand and accept each other without prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
couple will get a better picture of the true nature and character of each other
as they bear each other's concerns, pains, failures, losses and defeats over a
period of time. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
couple’s understanding of each other will enhance as they receives suggestions,
advises, counsels, clarifications, corrections and insights about issues and
matters of concerns from each other and for mutual interest. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
couple will gain mutual exposure as they plan and execute activities and
projects of common interests and concerns and slowly develop team spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
husband and wife will better understand each other as they help and support
each other in times of personal challenges, testing, sicknesses and weaknesses
on the one side and success and victory on the other.</span></b></span><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The natural, unregenerate man </span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Generally speaking, the unregenerate
man is likely to have some of the following general characteristics in
different degrees and intensity, with ups and downs at different times and
places: <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Man
is habitually rough in voice, body, hands and dealings<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">He
generally desires to control, rule and show his strength, especially over his
spouse (Genesis 3:16)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">He
invariably deals with his spouse through his innate nature and tries to makes
his spouse submit to him through demands, oppression, suppression, force,
threat, challenge, shouts, intimidation, terrorism, deprivation, denial,
challenge, and even verbal and physical abuse and other persuasive tactics<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The regenerate man in
backsliding may still exhibit the inclinations of the natural man which are
indicated above. The regenerate man who lives a repentant life may not exhibit
such inclinations, but if he unfortunately falls into it, will repent of his
failures in these and will reconcile with his spouse in all his failures.</b></span></span><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The natural, unregenerate woman</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The unregenerate woman
generally exhibits some of the following characteristics and traits in
behavior, attitude and thinking:</b></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
woman wants equality and consideration at par with man in all matters <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">In
the pursuit of the above goal, she is supported by worldly education – the
enquiring mind, which has the tendency to question everything, everywhere and
every time. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
woman who has the capacity or opportunity to have independent income gives her
independent thinking, planning and acting demands that her independence be
recognized and accepted by her spouse. She usually fights to achieve this goal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">In
the modern times, the woman is increasingly engaged in professional or other
work life. She is often a working wife and sometimes earning more money than
her husband which makes her feel proud and superior in many respects in the
family and outside. This may impact her attitude and behavior towards her
spouse and make her more assertive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
media has given her newer ideas of equality in the society and the family and
motivates her to gain upper hand in her relation with her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">She
has more practical wisdom when he is more a theoretician. So when he is
conceptually right, she is practically right. These make them wonder as to who
the winner is and who the looser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">She
desires to control him which is part of the curse she received from God after
the fall of man (Genesis 3:16/4:17).</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> <span> </span><span> </span></b><b style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">The secret of a happy and satisfying
family life is when these natural and unregenerate nature and traits of us is
allowed to be transformed into supernatural qualities, behavior and attitudes.
It’s possible only when we submit ourselves and our priorities to the Holy
Spirit and allow Him full control of us all.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Let it be our motto in family life to
please and glorify the Founder and Builder of our families and to please our
spouses. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></o:p></span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-85586301851738610652022-03-21T14:15:00.005-07:002022-03-21T20:31:15.285-07:00THE DELAYS IN LIFE!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>The Delays in Life!! </i></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Let's don't let any seeming delay that's taking place around us to take away our joy which is our strength from above. </b></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Let's learn to Rejoice in the delays that He plants in our lives!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God delayed the birth of Isaac (25 years) and later Jacob (20+ years).</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God delayed the elevation of Joseph and the fulfillment of his dreams for 13 years.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God delayed the arrival of Samuel in the life of Hannah! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Our God is the God of delays! He is not in a hurry! He is a Builder and He creates and recreates our lives slowly and steadily and systematically. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God's delays are His appointment for His perfect time.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God's delays are not inactivity or indifference, but preparation to build our faith up! While there seems to be a delay, God is working behind the curtain in our lives! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God delays, but never forgets His promises. He remembered Abraham, Sarah, Rachel and Hannah in His time! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God's delays are because He is building oaks and olive trees out of our lives and not grass. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>He delayed Israel's wilderness journey for 40 years!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>He delayed 7 days for the wall of Jericho to fall!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>He came to rescue His disciples who were in the storm at the fourth watch! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>His delays are our learning experiences in His School of Patience! We must graduate with flying colors! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>God's delays are often to test our faith and patience! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">So Let us Praise God for His delays in our lives!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let's fully trust in God, for His delays are not to harm or hinder us, but to strengthen us and build our faith up! </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">"Wait for the </span><span class="sc" face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">Lord</span><span face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the </span><span class="sc" face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">Lord</span><span face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">!"</span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Psalms 27:14</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-1550884739637665072021-11-17T15:46:00.003-08:002021-11-17T15:46:32.264-08:00MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><span style="color: #38761d;">MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b>The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation: Psalms 118:14</b></span></p><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">My Lord has taught me through my multifarious experiences that I have no strength outside my Lord, as He continually strengthens and fortifies me in all my situations. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">In my lonely nights, as I am tossed around on my bed, and when I am unable to sing a comforting song to myself, He reminds me to sing about all that He has done for me. He helps me to sing about Him and His sweetness. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">When I am stuck and find no way forward, He comes to me and shows me a way out of my situations. He holds my hands and takes me out of the snares and the hindrances. He opens new doors for me when the world around shuts my way way forward. He leads and guides me. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">When I feel all alone and when I am forsaken, isolated, insulated and left in the lurk, He comes to hold me tight in His hands and holds me close to His chest and wipe my tears. He comforts me and gives me new promises to claim. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">In my lonely moments, He is my Friend to talk to me and to fill my heart with His presence. He sings with me His 'sweet songs of salvation'. He gives me His joy and peace and makes me jubilant because of the consciousness that He is with me and will never leave me an orphan. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">He gives me courage to face all my dark and cloudy circumstances and situations. He fills me with confidence in Him and fills me with His glory. He continuously fills me with His Holy Word. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">He helps me to run my race by looking unto Him every moment of my life (Hebrews 12:1-2). He shows me His pathways where I can see His footprints and helps me to place my feet on His footprints to run to my destination. Its amazing that He is my running-mate and my travel companion. Its a jubilant experience to run with Him, walk with Him and move with Him. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">In Him, I am safe, secure, strong and sustained! In Him, I am unmovable and I stand strong on Him the Rock of Ages! </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Prayer for Today</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">"Lord Jesus! Please help me to realize how trustworthy You are for all my needs and situations. I want to experience Your presence all my life and in all my circumstances no matter how cumbersome it is. Please help me to draw upon Your strength to live on all days of my life. Amen! </span></b></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-48488596746051894362021-11-17T15:24:00.001-08:002021-11-17T15:24:30.079-08:00SEEK AND CALL <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Seek and Call </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Isaiah 55:6</span></span></b></p><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Our forgetfulness and carelessness make us not to seek the Lord while there is still time and opportunity. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Somehow, somewhere, we slowly drift from our first love to the Lord. Our flesh and intellectual mind and over-dependence on wealth, position, education, power, privileges and prominence in the world deter us from loving and wanting the Lord more and more. It negatively impacts our prayer life. We start thinking that we can live without His help much. We camouflage our life behind our religiosity and traditions. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>When we follow such a self-oriented lifestyle, it so happens that we fall into trouble and desperately feel the need for the Lord, it might be too late. We would have unnecessarily suffered a lot and lost the opportunity to get settled in life. Our foolishness to seek after the Lord at the right time causes a lot of misery and heartache for us. We must realize that all of these frustrations can be avoided if only we keep seeking and searching after our Lord at the right time. We must realize that when we call, answers will come from the Lord at the right time. Seeking and calling are our responsibility and answering is His prerogative.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Let's understand that 'Today is the day of acceptance. Today is the day of God's favor" (2 Corinthians 6:2). </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>So lets call on the Lord and knock at His door with passion, and earnestly knock and seek for His favors. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Prayer for Today</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>"O God! Please open my eyes to see your nearness in my most distressing moments and seek and find Your presence and power, and depend on You for my every need. Amen!"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-9604819473396458552021-11-17T15:02:00.000-08:002021-11-17T15:02:01.205-08:00THE REFINING POT AND THE FURNACE<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Refining Pot and the Furnace</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Refining Pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what others say about him: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proverbs 27:21</span></span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Unless the silver and the gold are ready to endure to the greatest extent, it won't be fully and perfectly purified. During the process, the metals might be crying out for a release from the fire and begging aloud for taking it out of the process. This the experience of the child of God in this life. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">But the Divine Goldsmith "mercilessly" keeps it there because He knows when to stop. He keeps guaranteeing the metal to remain there for a few more minutes. He will say: "Son/Daughter, I am holding you tight in my crucified hands. You will remain here for just the time required to be graciously purified. Take your hands off and be silent and know that I am the God of Grace (Psalms 46:10)". </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The refining pot and the furnace as God's plan to purify us so that the best in us will come out. We might go through devastating gossip, lies and distortions and misinterpretations and tarnishing and crucifixion which are too much to bear for the child of God. It might be loss of health and even livelihood. Even the best of friends and kin might turn their faces away and remain as if they have never known us. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Sometimes the truth never comes out during our lifetime. But there will be a time when the truth will come out, at least at the Bema. Then we will rejoice. Our Lord will wipe our tears and pat our back and fill our hands with rewards. </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">So today let's not get "excited" about the "scheming praises" and devastating criticisms. Let's go to our "Heavenly Appeal Court" for ultimate justice and for endurance to remain on course. Let's look at our crucified, rejected, persecuted, forsaken and forgotten Lord and His experience of fire and get inspiration. Let's go after Him rather than looking up to the "higher mountains around" (Psalms 121:1) and get discouraged. Our help comes from our beloved Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Prayer for Today</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">"Lord Jesus! Give me grace and patience today to go through tough and painful experiences that you allow me in this life so that I will humbly submit to Your hands to mold me to be like Your image. Please help me not to get discouraged or impatient. Help me to wait for Your time to shape me for Your glory. Amen" </span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-31606349377312307202021-08-19T08:32:00.003-07:002021-08-19T08:32:54.425-07:00BATTLE AGAINST HOPELESSNESS!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Battle Against Hopelessness! </span></span></b></span></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: medium;">Colossians 4:2 - Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. </span></b></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;">The e<span style="font-family: inherit;">nemy tries to crumble our situations and puts us into deepest gloom when we might fall into utter hopelessness, and reach a stage of inability to pray. This is part of satanic warfare against us. He tries to stop us from using our great weapon of prayerfulness in all our situations (Ephesians 6:18-20). So we must fight this out with more prayer, and resist and rebuke the devil. We must be vigilant in prayer and be careful not to allow the enemy to drag us to prayerlessness. We must be earnest and vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving for answers to prayer at God's time. Thus we must get victory over our situations. </span></span></span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The enemy attacked many God's servants and tried to make them stop praying. Elijah was in hopelessness when the enemy threatened him through </b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Jezebel</b></span><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">. So he ran away and even wanted to die because he was in utter hopelessness. He forgot that he could handle 450 prophets of Baal a few days back on Mount Carmel. There he proved that the gods of </b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Jezebel</b></span><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are powerless and </b></span><span style="font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>nonexistent</b></span></span><span><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">.<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>Still Elijah<span style="font-size: medium;"> was sunk deep in hopelessness. He was fearful of this evil woman </span>Jezebel<span style="font-size: medium;"> and her threat. But God strengthened him by sending an angel to revive him with words of comfort and strengthened him with food and water. He was then </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>recommissioned</b></span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to continue with his ministry. During the following years, his ministry became doubly powerful through Elisha. </b></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> Joseph was shut out for thirteen years, but God was working behind the scene to make him the Prime Minister of Egypt. Jacob, his father, was in utter frustration, hopelessness and depression for more than 15 years as he found out that his beloved son Joseph was no more. But God worked behind the scene during these dark years. Finally when he saw the chariots of Pharaoh came rolling in to take Jacob to see his son Joseph, Jacob's spirit revived. </span></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> Yes, the God of Elijah, Joseph and Jacob lives for us! He is our God who will deliver us from the clutches of hopelessness, despair, despondency and depression. We must fight these tactics of the enemy on our knees and pray until victory comes to us. </span><span style="color: #050505;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Praise God for the promise of victory! We are more than conquerors through our commander-in-chief who has won victory for us! Romans 8:37</span></span></b></div></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-85896958536659382242021-03-09T07:41:00.001-08:002021-03-09T07:41:12.914-08:00POWERFUL LIFESTORY OF GOD'S LOVE<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>POWERFUL LIFESTORY OF GOD'S LOVE</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Back in 1921, a missionary couple named David and Svea Flood went with their two-year-old son from Sweden to the heart of Africa—to what was then called the Belgian Congo. They met up with another young Scandinavian couple, the Ericksons, and the four of them sought God for direction. In those days of much tenderness and devotion and sacrifice, they felt led of the Lord to go out from the main mission station and take the gospel to a remote area.</b></span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>This was a huge step of faith. At the village of N’dolera they were rebuffed by the chief, who would not let them enter his town for fear of alienating the local gods. The two couples opted to go half a mile up the slope and build their own mud huts.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>They prayed for a spiritual breakthrough, but there was none. The only contact with the villagers was a young boy, who was allowed to sell them chickens and eggs twice a week. Svea Flood—a tiny woman of only four feet, eight inches tall—decided that if this was the only African she could talk to, she would try to lead the boy to Jesus. And in fact, she succeeded.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>But there were no other encouragements. Meanwhile, malaria continued to strike one member of the little band after another. In time the Ericksons decided they had had enough suffering and left to return to the central mission station. David and Svea Flood remained near N’dolera to go on alone.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Then, of all things, Svea found herself pregnant in the middle of the primitive wilderness. When the time came for her to give birth, the village chief softened enough to allow a midwife to help her. A little girl was born, whom they named Aina.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>The delivery, however, was exhausting, and Svea Flood was already weak from bouts of malaria. The birth process was a heavy blow to her stamina. She lasted only another seventeen days.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Inside David Flood, something snapped in that moment. He dug a crude grave, buried his twenty-seven-year-old wife, and then took his children back down the mountain to the mission station. Giving his newborn daughter to the Ericksons, he snarled, “I’m going back to Sweden. I’ve lost my wife, and I obviously can’t take care of this baby. God has ruined my life.” With that, he headed for the port, rejecting not only his calling, but God himself.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Within eight months both the Ericksons were stricken with a mysterious malady and died within days of each other. The baby was then turned over to some American missionaries, who adjusted her Swedish name to “Aggie” and eventually brought her back to the United States at age three.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>This family loved the little girl and was afraid that if they tried to return to Africa, some legal obstacle might separate her from them. So they decided to stay in their home country and switch from missionary work to pastoral ministry. And that is how Aggie grew up in South Dakota. As a young woman, she attended North Central Bible college in Minneapolis. There she met and married a young man named Dewey Hurst.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Years passed. The Hursts enjoyed a fruitful ministry. Aggie gave birth first to a daughter, then a son. In time her husband became president of a Christian college in the Seattle area, and Aggie was intrigued to find so much Scandinavian heritage there.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>One day a Swedish religious magazine appeared in her mailbox. She had no idea who had sent it, and of course she couldn’t read the words. But as she turned the pages, all of a sudden a photo stopped her cold. There in a primitive setting was a grave with a white cross-and on the cross were the words SVEA FLOOD.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Aggie jumped in her car and went straight to a college faculty member who, she knew, could translate the article. “What does this say?” she demanded.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>The instructor summarized the story: It was about missionaries who had come to N’dolera long ago...the birth of a white baby...the death of the young mother...the one little African boy who had been led to Christ...and how, after the whites had all left, the boy had grown up and finally persuaded the chief to let him build a school in the village. The article said that gradually he won all his students to Christ...the children led their parents to Christ...even the chief had become a Christian. Today there were six hundred Christian believers in that one village...</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>All because of the sacrifice of David and Svea Flood.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>For the Hursts’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, the college presented them with the gift of a vacation to Sweden. There Aggie sought to find her real father. An old man now, David Flood had remarried, fathered four more children, and generally dissipated his life with alcohol. He had recently suffered a stroke. Still bitter, he had one rule in his family: “Never mention the name of God-because God took everything from me.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>After an emotional reunion with her half brothers and half sister, Aggie brought up the subject of seeing her father. The others hesitated. “You can talk to him,” they replied, “even though he’s very ill now. But you need to know that whenever he hears the name of God, he flies into a rage.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Aggie was not to be deterred. She walked into the squalid apartment, with liquor bottles everywhere, and approached the seventy-three-year-old man lying in a rumpled bed.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“Papa?” she said tentatively.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>He turned and began to cry. “Aina,” he said, “I never meant to give you away.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“It’s all right Papa,” she replied, taking him gently in her arms. “God took care of me.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>The man instantly stiffened. The tears stopped.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“God forgot all of us. Our lives have been like this because of Him.” He turned his face back to the wall.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Aggie stroked his face and then continued, undaunted.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“Papa, I’ve got a little story to tell you, and it’s a true one. You didn’t go to Africa in vain. Mama didn’t die in vain. The little boy you won to the Lord grew up to win that whole village to Jesus Christ. The one seed you planted just kept growing and growing. Today there are six hundred African people serving the Lord because you were faithful to the call of God in your life...</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“Papa, Jesus loves you. He has never hated you.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>The old man turned back to look into his daughter’s eyes. His body relaxed. He began to talk. And by the end of the afternoon, he had come back to the God he had resented for so many decades.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Over the next few days, father and daughter enjoyed warm moments together. Aggie and her husband soon had to return to America—and within a few weeks, David Flood had gone into eternity.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>A few years later, the Hursts were attending a high-level evangelism conference in London, England, where a report was given from the nation of Zaire (the former Belgian Congo). The superintendent of the national church, representing some 110,000 baptized believers, spoke eloquently of the gospel’s spread in his nation. Aggie could not help going to ask him afterward if he had ever heard of David and Svea Flood.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>“Yes, madam,” the man replied in French, his words then being translated into English. “It was Svea Flood who led me to Jesus Christ. I was the boy who brought food to your parents before you were born. In fact, to this day your mother’s grave and her memory are honored by all of us.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>He embraced her in a long, sobbing hug. Then he continued, “You must come to Africa to see, because your mother is the most famous person in our history.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>In time that is exactly what Aggie Hurst and her husband did. They were welcomed by cheering throngs of villagers. She even met the man who had been hired by her father many years before to carry her back down the mountain in a hammock-cradle.</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>The most dramatic moment, of course, was when the pastor escorted Aggie to see her mother’s white cross for herself. She knelt in the soil to pray and give thanks. Later that day, in the church, the pastor read from John 12:24: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” He then followed with Psalm 126:5: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">(An excerpt from Aggie Hurst, Aggie: The Inspiring Story of A Girl Without A Country [Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1986].)</span></i></b></div>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-71635613211866860902020-10-27T15:14:00.002-07:002020-10-27T15:14:51.653-07:00AROMA FOR CHRIST!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Sweet Aroma for
Christ from Us!</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Victorious Christian
Life from the altar of true worship and sacrifice produces sweet-smelling aroma
from us to Jesus! </span><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;">2 Corinthians 2:14 </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>This sweet aroma can
be evident in God’s children through our response to this knowledge which is
planted in us in:</b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">OUR ATTITUDE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">TO THE LORD JESUS AND
HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PERSON AND WORK PRODUCE RECOGNIZABLE RESULTS IN US<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">HOW WE RELATE TO
PEOPLE WHOM WE COME ACROSS DAILY AND THE QUALITY OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES IN LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">THE MATERIAL THINGS
THAT WE ARE LINKED WITH<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR CIRCUMSTANCES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR WILL<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR PRIORITIES IN
LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR LIKES AND
DISLIKES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR THOUGHTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR EMOTIONS OF ALL
KINDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR CONTINUOUS
REPENTANT LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">THE EXTENT OF OUR
DEPENDANCE ON GOD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">THE CRUCIFIXION OF
OUR SELF<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">THE QUALITY OF OUR
LIFE OF DEVOTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">OUR PRAYER LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">HOW WE ENJOY HEAVEN
HERE ON EARTH<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #800180;">THE VALUE WE
ATTRIBUTE TO ETERNITY</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;">Prayer for Today:</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">“Oh! God! Pardon my
failures in producing sweet-smelling aroma for You and help me today to produce
spiritual fragrance to minister unto Your heart. Amen!” <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-81636714561399969992020-10-06T07:31:00.000-07:002020-10-06T07:31:10.635-07:00PASTORAL CHALLENGES IN FAMILY MINISTRIES<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Pastoral Challenges in Family
Ministries</span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">A pastor is the
spiritual physician of his congregation, appointed and qualified by the Lord, to
help resolve spiritual and social issues confronted by individuals and families
in that congregation. This is a challenging spiritual task which demands
spiritual vision, commitment, patience, spiritual power, knowledge, wisdom,
prayerfulness and spiritual burden. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Historical perspective</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Old and New
Testaments carry pertinent teachings and warnings related to family life. These
comprise of principles, direct commandments, life centered illustrations,
historical sketches and teachings on Family Life and its challenges. Wherever the
people of God violated these divine principles and teachings, they ran into
problems and breakdown in families. Some of these family calamities were overt
and a lot more were covert. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">We see in the
Old Testament that God Himself directed families at the beginning, and later appointed
priests, prophets, kings and leaders to instruct families. In spite of it all,
there have been failures in family life of people and even in the case of
leaders, priests and kings. In the New Testament, believers are taught by Jesus
Christ Himself and later by His apostles to protect, teach, correct, evaluate and
rebuild families. After the apostolic era, this responsibility rests with the
spiritual leaders of the local church, like teachers, elders or pastors,
evangelists, deacons and other ministering men(Ephesians 4:11-16). </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Pastoral responsibilities</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">A pastor is a
divinely appointed spiritual leader, teacher, guide and facilitator of
believers in all spiritual and secular matters. They exercise spiritual
responsibilities on the basis of spiritual gifts, their own life examples and
on the Word of God. The New Testament shows how these men devote themselves to various
ministries by setting apart their time, talents, interests, convenience and
health round the clock. They are accountable to the Lord and work with other
ministering brethren to meet the needs of the congregation (James 5:14; 1 Peter
5:2-3; 1Timothy 5:1-2). <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Pastors go out
where the sheep are and minister unto the felt needs of people in all aspects of
their lives. This includes leading, guiding, counseling, teaching, correcting,
disciplining, educating, discipling, teaching, informing, warning, admonishing,
facilitating, evaluating, diagnosing their spiritual problems and providing help
in finding solutions. Their ministries thus impact the life of believers in
general and their personal needs, and in their choices on education, career,
marriage and conflict resolution in individual and family life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">The Laodicea challenge</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Today’s church
of the Laodicea age (Revelation 3:14-22) is one where individualism, self
esteem, personal freedom, desire for privacy and greater financial independence
influence believers’ general outlook. Such life style and culture often make believers
far removed from the biblical teachings and its application in many aspects of
believers’ lives. The world thus influences families where the family as a unit
often lacks spiritual leadership and unity. In this circumstance, submission to
spiritual leadership at home and in the church gets seriously eroded. Thus pastoral
teachings for individual and family lives remain more an option than obedience
to biblical teaching. Pastors are seen not to have sufficient spiritual authority
to instill discipline in the congregation because of the ultra-democratic setup
of many local churches. Attempts at infusing biblical discipline in churches often
result in factionalism, rebellion and conflicts. To avoid or minimize divisions,
dissensions and unity, many pastors and elders try not to provoke the
congregation. Thus pastors and elders involve in more pulpit-oriented
ministries like preaching and teaching than personalized ministries like individual
and family counseling. This is a great challenge in pastoral ministries in
modern times. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Pastors’ approaches and challenges in family ministries</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> It is seen
that many pastors and elders wait for the congregation to individually approach
them for spiritual help which happens seldom anyway. Either the pastors are too
busy to be available and accessible or the individual believer doesn’t care to
engage the pastor. Believers and families try to avoid the pastor by clinging
on to privacy concerns. In the congregational churches, pastors seem to have
more authority than found in local churches which are more loosely organized and
structured. So individuals prefer to remain private and expect the pastors to
be less nosy in personal matters. They would rather go on by covering up their personal
and family’s problems. By the time such issues come to limelight, problems
would have solidified and hearts hardened. This is true about issues related to
backsliding, addiction and such other sins and conflicts between spouses or
parents and children. Thus many problems remain unresolved and eventually
destroy individual and family lives. In these circumstances, pastors usually become
hapless and helpless spectators of individual or family issues. It’s also true
that many pastors lack training in ministries like counseling to be able to handle
individual or family issues, thus lacking confidence properly handling family
matters of believers.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Challenging responsibilities</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> God has
appointed pastors and elders as spiritual guardians of the local church with
specific responsibilities and accountabilities (Acts 20:28-32). They are
expected to provide individuals and the congregation with the much needed spiritual
nutrients based on the Word of God. The true shepherd has to use the staff and
the rod to lead God’s people (Psalms 23:4). Their responsibilities to the
families in the congregations include preparing believers for family life and resolving
family conflicts. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Plenary and
individual teaching</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> It has been observed
that many pastors and churches are passive to teachings on many life-related
subjects. They lean toward more doctrinal teachings and expository preaching
which are vital. But it’s unusual to hear teachings or messages on practical
subjects like Family Life, conflict resolutions, individual behavior, personal
Christian life and the like in many local churches. It is a great challenge for
the ministering brethren to prayerfully strike a balance between teachings on
doctrinal and practical subjects. Then only doctrinal and practical teachings
like family life can be taught on a regular basis to instruct, inform, educate
and warn the married and yet-to-be-married about quality family life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Pre-marriage
counseling </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> It is
important to prepare those in the congregation who contemplate on family life to
lay strong foundation for a happy married life. They need to be taught the
biblical truths about the duties, responsibilities, accountabilities, demands
and challenges of family life including bringing up godly children and their
emerging questions provided with biblical answers. Small group interactive sessions
will be most helpful to provide pre-marriage teaching. Pastors have to face
this challenge by humbly seeking to find help from the Word and through prayer
for the enabling. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Diagnostic
approach</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> The
ministering brethren should attempt to make regular evaluation of the spiritual
quality of life of each family in the congregation. This may be accomplished
through regular visits to the families in the church and use media for regular communication.
It is best if the brothers make these visitations along with their spouses
except during personal counseling. Pertinent but soft enquiries may be made
about the various aspects of the spiritual quality of each family including regular
family altar, fellowship time and spiritual goal-setting. There may be need for
wise spiritual counsel in vital areas in decision making in families. Parents
may also desire counsel on how to bring up children spiritually. All of these
may govern the pastors’ prayers and preparation for the various teaching and
personal ministries of the church. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Preventive
measures to save families</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Spiritual leadership
of churches has to take up the challenge to help build and rebuild families in
the congregation and prevent its ruin and destruction. This necessitates
consistent counseling and encouragement of families to help resolving
conflicts. It has to be attempted at from the early stages of the development
of each family by observing symptoms and through interactions. If the elder is
in regular touch with the families by communicating with them through
visitations, media and by sharing spiritual resources, then timely interventions
will be feasible. Perhaps it will be possible for the life-partner of the elder
to help the wives of the families while the elder may deal with the husbands
and the spouses together. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Therapy to heal
and restore</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Sharing
experiences, teaching from the Word and fellowship in prayer in a consistent
manner by the pastors will have therapeutic impact on each family. Interaction
with the families need not always be a group activity because the spouses in a
family may not open up in a group. But encouraging fellowship in groups might
be of immense benefit for mutual encouragement. Spiritual and family counseling
may be the much needed biblical tool that will have to be used to heal the
hurts and resolve the conflicts for reconciliation and restoration. Regular time
of prayer together with each family will have great healing touch on the
spouses and even children. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Follow-up of
family concerns</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Pastoral Interaction
with the families shouldn’t be an occasional or one-time exercise. Families have
to be followed up consistently so that spirituality in the spouses can be
assessed, progress determined and rebuilt. Often pastors would need to interact
with the conflicting couples individually and subsequently bring them together
at an opportune time to lead them to reconciliation. Regular and consistent
communication with the families is the key to effective follow-up. It’s a great
challenge for the pastor to find time for it all. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Confronting critical issues</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Pastors should
help couples with marital issues not to plunge themselves into despair because
of intensive spousal conflicts. They
should be guarded against getting lured by extraneous forces to think about separation
or even divorce. There are often issues of conflicts, arguments, abuse, disunity,
non-cooperation, submission, paranoia, miscommunication, children’s
indiscipline, in-law concerns and the like which pastors should address
biblically. Biblical truths regarding these may be taught and discussed with
one or both the spouses so that destructive tendencies could be expunged early.
The pastor should not try to lead conflicting spouses to a truce or agreement,
but his goal should be to lead them to confession and repentance of their individual
failures and offences. Pastors should do all that is feasible to prevail over
the couples from moving towards separation or divorce by encouraging and helping
them to rebuild the broken walls of their family life. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> If
any divorced individual or couples or if remarried divorcees express interest
in coming into or continuing in church fellowship, they and their protagonists
may be taught the biblical teachings on this. The elders may convince them by
explaining why the Bible doesn’t permit receiving such persons into fellowship
except in the case of an innocent partner on whom divorce was forced upon by
the departing partner. But the church has to be convinced about such partner’s
innocence with ample evidence and testimony. However, the separated or divorced
believers may not be treated with contempt, but permitted to attend church
gatherings if they so desire. The unmarried divorcees may be received into
fellowship eventually if they express brokenness and repentance and remain
without remarriage. The congregation may be taught to deal with them with
kindness and not to embarrass them. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> In
matters related to separation, divorce and remarriage of the divorcees, pastors
face great challenges in carrying the whole congregation with them because of
divergent views on these issues by many. Pastors have to prevail over any such
unbiblical views through consistent teaching and proper exposition of the commandments
of Jesus and the Apostles, without developing schisms and divisions in the
church. This requires much grace and wisdom.
</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;">Conclusion</span><span style="color: #38761d;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">One of the greatest challenges faced by many
local churches is the lack of preparedness of elders in handling family
conflicts. But if elders don’t get spiritually prepared to meet these
challenges, it will lead to surge in the number of unresolved family problems. Victorious
families are the result of how well the pastors take up the challenge in
helping to build and rebuild families. </span></span></b>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-56945899285824635152020-09-06T15:21:00.003-07:002020-09-11T14:47:06.933-07:00PROSPECTUS OF THE AGAPE' SCHOOL OF MARRIAGE<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Prospectus of</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Helvetica","sans-serif"" style="color: black; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The Agape’ School of Marriage</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Dear Prospective Candidate</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Welcome
to the School of Marriage!</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">We are pleased to introduce and welcome you to the Agape’
School of Marriage which is one of the world's greatest schools for a Christian
believer. A Christian believer will learn greatest lessons about life, sharing,
fellowship, love, compassion, children, parentage, hospitality, responsibility,
forgiveness, kindness and prayer in this unique school. These lessons can be
learned only if one has deep desire to learn. All the lessons taught in this
school are practical. Different persons will learn different lessons at
different times which are relevant to their specific situations. Unfortunately
not all persons are endowed with the blessing of a married life and so they are
denied the opportunity to study in this school. In our school, different
students have different </b><b>time-frame</b><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> to study. This is because longevity of
married life is different for different persons as designed by the Almighty God
who places people in families according to His will and pleasure and on the
basis of His eternal plan for each couple. The challenge before each student is
to make the maximum out of the opportunity to learn and enjoy their time as
students in this great school designed and administered by the Founder of the
school who is God Himself. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All Christian men and women are invited to read this
Prospectus carefully and prayerfully. They may then be encouraged to get
registered and admitted in the School of Marriage at the right marriageable
age. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you seriously consider enrolling as a student, you are
warmly welcome to the Agape’ School of Marriage. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Building and Facilities</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All who enter the parlors of the Agape’ School of
Marriage will be welcomed to the School at the main entrance where a great
portrait of a rainbow is hung on its front wall. Its seven colors exemplify the
seven great aspects of the friendship and fellowship that they share throughout
the school life. These seven colors are: their sweet secrets, the great truths
that they understand about each other, the grief and pain that they
share together, the ultimate trust and faith that they have for each
other, the pinnacle of joy that overflows from their life, their reverential
treatment of each other and the deepest love they have for each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reflection of this rainbow is
seen throughout the campus and at the building interior and exterior as the
main focus of the school. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As students enter, they will be registered by the
Superintendent of the school and allotted a private suite for them and their
classmates (as permanent pairs) alone to stay and learn in their classes. All
classes will be conducted in this class suite. All practical sessions will also
be conducted in the suite under strict privacy. The class suite has the
fountain of the 'water of life' for the classmates to drink to quench their
thirst and the table of the 'bread of heaven' to satisfy their appetite. The
class suite is connected to the main power line of 'Light of Light' so that all
that transpires in the class may be transparent and clearly visible to the
classmates, the Principal and the Superintendent. But if the light is quenched,
there will be dim light or progressive darkness in the class and for the
classmates which will take away their spiritual vision. This may lead to
eventual destruction of both the classmates and their marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The main features of the
School of Marriage are given below: </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">1. Enrollment:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">
Our School of Marriage is the only school where you get the Marriage
Certificate before you start the classes. It is also known as the enrollment
certificate. It makes it eligible for the married ones to study in the school.
It is also the Identity Card for each student. The classmate for each student
is chosen and fixed at the time of entry by the Principal. All entrants are
entitled to study in their own class only and there is no permission to change
class or the classmate even for a moment. This school has the best student-teacher
ratio as each class has only two students who are called spouses or
life-partners. So learning in this school is a partnership experience. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> 2. Graduation:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">
Even though all enrolled students study in the school, they are not allowed to
graduate because there is something to learn in this school till the very end.
Then they will wait and will finally enter the 'Marriage Supper of the Lamb'
together with their classmates. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">3. Schedules:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">
Our school functions round the clock without any break or free period. Even
when the students sleep, they are expected to learn something. Some periods or
sessions are for active learning and some other periods are for passive
learning. But all that the students can and are expected to learn are vital
lessons all the time because there is so much to learn. It is also a very
demanding school in that tests are often marked by the classmate and marks
submitted to the Principal who makes His own assessment of both the students in
the class. But the consolation is that the examiner, the classmate and the
Principal, mark the tests on the basis of love, kindness and compassion.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">4. Duration:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Rules
in this school are made by the Principal and are very strict even though these
rules are called Rules of Love. Once enrolled, the students are never allowed
to drop out. Almost all students do not want to drop out because once they are
enrolled, they are all intoxicated by the atmosphere of love that blows softly
and steadily through the classroom. On the other hand, the rule that is applied
to all entrants is that they are not permitted to drop out because they are
glued together with their classmate for a lifetime of learning. When the time
comes, the Principal will allow an honorable discharge of each student from the
school according to the perfect timing determined by the Principal. Petitions
for early discharge or exit are not entertained because it depends on the sole
discretion and decision of the Principal for which there is no appeal
court.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">5. Activities:
</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Principal guarantees to make the school very interesting and challenging
with full of activities and interactions of various kinds. All activities for
the students are for the welfare of their classmates and are to be performed
out of love and compassion. Some days are full of hard-work, but on other days
the students may relax. This diversity of activities makes the school balanced.
It is also a participatory school where both the teammates must involve
together in all activities. But the roles of both the teammates are clearly
defined by the Principal. The Principal reminds the team that they will have to
attend classes every day of their life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">6. Holidays and
vacation:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> The school doesn't allow for any holidays, vacation or sick
leave.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">When one of the teammates falls
sick, still both the teammates have to attend the school. On sick days, classes
will be mainly on caring and nursing the sick teammate and for prayer for
healing along with the healing touch. On holidays, the teammates will learn how
to relax and help the classmate to relax and rest. There will be extra classes and
activities on compassion and grace on sick days and holidays. Here the main
topic on attitude is taught with many practical lessons. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">7. Classroom
atmosphere:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> As its nickname goes, our school is popularly known as the ‘School
of Love’. It is founded by God on the strong pillar of Agape' Love created from
the jewels of compassion and grace. Its walls are made out of mutual trust and
faith. The doors of the school are built with strong Acacia wood of mutual recognition,
appreciation and acceptance and will help the teammates to have unconditional
access to each other all the time. The classroom has wide open windows and its
shutters are made out of Acacia planks of mutual understanding and
belongingness through which cool breeze of healing and rest blow on the
teammates and the classroom. The classroom is arranged with comfortable
furniture made out of the Olive tree of blessings. This classroom will not leak
because it is made of the strong rock of faith and sealed with the anointing
oil of Agape' Love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">8. Principal’s
role:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> The Principal reminds the teammates not to usurp authority over each
other as if they are the Principal. He wants the teammates to remember that
they have clearly defined roles and responsibilities and will have to adhere to
it in the best possible manner. The Principal has all authority and that He
introduces it on the basis of His love to the teammates so that the teammates may
help each other to fall in line with His authority in all aspects of their
school life. The Principal wants all entrants to remind themselves of the fact
that He is the sole Principal and the teammates are only students who are
expected to learn under His lordship in full obedience and total commitment to
each other and to the School. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">9. Storms from the
outside:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> The Principal warns the teammates that there will be artificial
storms and heavy winds blowing against their classroom coming from the enemy of
their school. These storms are strong enough to create ripples in their
classroom and distract the teammates. But the entrants are reassured that if
they stay within the walls of the strong classroom and trust in the Principal's
power to keep them safe, nothing untoward will happen to them.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Even in times of storms, they should not
allow themselves to fall into fear and unbelief and try to get out of the
classroom because once you are out, there won't be any safety. Don't be unwise
to listen to the enticing of the enemy to get out of the classroom and run
outside during times of storms and wind. It’s damp, windy, cold and dark
outside and there will be thunder and lightning to terrorize you. Once you are
enrolled, the classroom of marriage is the safest place to be in, because you
and your classmate are there along with your Master Teacher who teaches you new
lessons every day and in all situations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">10. Issues between
classmates:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> The Principal's strong admonition is that no homework should be
left incomplete overnight by all classmates. Every issue or concern between the
classmates may be handled before the next day and before the couple sleeps. If
there are any Issues, these are discussed within the team only and an amicable
settlement is arrived at so that the matter can be settled with a united time
of prayer before they sleep. This healthy pattern is recommended by the
Principal which will strengthen the marriage and the relationship between the
classmates. This is the way to keep the classroom atmosphere to remain warm and
pleasant. </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">11. Communication:</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The school uses various communication techniques and styles to
help the students to learn their lessons faster from each other. It is expected
that the classmates use these techniques to communicate with each other about
their feelings, needs, priorities, likes and dislikes so that they can learn
from each other in a complementary way. The school emphasizes the use of oral
communication techniques including words, sounds of different positive pitch,
tone and corresponding complementary body language for exchanging ideas,
thoughts and desires. The Principal keeps reminding the classmates that
listening to each other is far more important than speaking. Listening is one
of the ways by which the school makes sure that the students learn patience and
proper discernment to enable them to respond in a complementary manner. It is
also the way by which the objectives of the class can be identified and
understood by them and help to achieve it. The classmates are also strongly
recommended that they communicate continuously with the Principal so that they
can determine how and what they ought to communicate with the classmates. The
Principal responds only to united and single-minded communications rather than
individualistic, prejudiced or selfish requests.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">12. Conflicts:</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Classmates are reminded that if either of them finds
out something in the classmate that they do not appreciate, they ought to take
it with love and consideration, and remind themselves of the fact that the
classmate is also just a student and not a graduate. The School reiterates that
God is not finished with your classmate yet and so is the Principal. Students
may take it as a challenge and work on it to find common ground for mutual good
and satisfaction. This approach, the school reminds the students, will help
them to learn forgiveness, mutual rebuilding and renewal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">13. Text Book:</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It is imperative for each student to read and study the Holy Book
which is the main textbook of this school. It is recommended that the students
individually and together read the Book and meditate on it daily. It is best if
the classmates start each day with a sacred assembly called Family Altar and
end it the same way. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">14. Apathy to attend classes:</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The school understand that sometimes, because of situations,
stress or irritations, one or both the students might not feel good about
attending classes and might want to stay insulated and isolated. Such
challenges ought to be overcome because it comes from the enemy of the school,
the class dynamics and the classmates. Instead, the school recommends that the
classmates fight such a negative urge and become victorious. Otherwise, one
day's lapse might lead to more such lapses and will lead to lethargy and dark
days and subsequently to withdrawal symptoms. So the school wants all the
classmates to make every effort to attend classes all the days of their lives
and finish their daily tasks without lapses. Students are reminded that
procrastination is the enemy of the students of the School of Marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">15. Temptation to quit:</span> <span style="color: #0b5394;">The school recognizes that in some extreme
cases, a few students may want to quit the school because they find it
unfulfilling. The strong reminder from the school is that this temptation to
quit comes from the enemy of the school and the erring classmate to destroy the
class and cause them to lose the serenity and thrill of the class and the
classmates. Instead they are instructed to find courage and hope from the Holy
Book and to continue. They should also realize that the school has not made any
provision or given any prerogative for the classmates to ever quit. Quitting is
against the foundational charter of the school and so quitters are breaking the
fundamental rules of the school. If they quit, they will be punishing themselves
and their classmates for the whole of their lifetime and will discourage other
classes and students. Above all, it will grieve the Principal, Superintendent
and the entire school. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">16. Tests and Examinations: </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like every other school, the School
of Marriage also has occasional tests for the students. These tests are given
without any notice. Tests are given to both the students at the same time or to
each classmate at different times. Some tests and exams may be tough but
remember, the Principal knows how much you can bear, and will not give a test
that the classmates are unable to handle. The great advantage of these tests is
that these are OPEN BOOK tests. The classmates are free to use the Holy Book
all the time, to study, refer to and to write the examinations. The most
important practical test is as to how well a student is looking after and
caring for the classmate. Grades are granted on the basis of the principles
given in the Book and on their attitude to the classmates and other students in
the school. Those who are deficient in learning are given extra classes and
one-on-one tutoring at the feet of the Master Teacher. There are also
opportunities to take repeat exams to prove progress. Those who fail may file
for pardon on compassionate ground and all true confessions and repentance are
accepted at par. All pardoned students are allowed to continue. It is
guaranteed that tests are practical and not theoretical and these tests are for
the good of the classmates and not to be judgmental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">17. Miscellaneous </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(a) The school sticks to the principle that classes are
not to intimidate the classmates but to provide peace, happiness and
fulfillment to the classmates on all days of the class. The Principal
guarantees that all classes are an enjoyable experience for both the
classmates. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(b) The school offers classes on a large number of
subjects related to human life with its various ramifications. But the major
subject offered is agape' love. The Principal loves all students and imparts
His love to the students so that they can pass it on to their classmates and to
experience love for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students
are expected to use love as the medium in all aspects of the class and learning
to communicate and work together in love. As they do so, it is guaranteed that
their love for each other will multiply several folds. On the basis of their
unconditional love, the classmates will be given bonus blessings by the
Principal. These bonus blessings come in the form of days and months filled
with excitement and exuberant children who are the olive shoots of stars in the
assignment page of the book of love distributed to both the classmates on the
first day of class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>© More grace is made available from the Principal to both
the classmates every day of the school for the asking. The classmates are asked
to make the best use of grace given to them from the Reservoir of the Principal
on all the days of classes. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(d) If the classmates have any questions, they are free
to ask the Principal at any time in any format or refer to the Holy Book, and
wait patiently for answers to come at the right time. These answers are also
clearly given in the Holy Book which is given to the classmates as the school
starts. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: medium;">Special Instructions to
the Prospective Students:</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those who want to enroll in the Agape’ School of Marriage
are instructed to examine the Holy Book and prepare themselves before they get
admitted to the School, with utmost dedication and commitment to the classmate
appointed for them by the Principal. They should also be committed to the roles
and rules of the School and are totally submitted to the School, the Principal
and the classmate. They ought to remember that the door to the school has only
door knobs at the outside and no knob from inside to open the door to the
outside. They are warned that if they try to break open the door to the
outside, disaster will result. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Officers of the School of Marriage:</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Chancellor: El Shaddai<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Principal: Prince Groom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Facilitator: The Holy Dove
</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Those who apply with the concurrence of their parents and church
will be given priority for admission. Prospective students may apply for
admission at the following address:</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
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<td style="border: 1pt solid; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Principal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Agape’ School of Marriage<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">Chamber of the Heavenly Bridegroom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">Golden Bridal Street<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">The New Jerusalem 777<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 401.25pt;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-54301820567602543612020-07-23T00:34:00.003-07:002020-07-23T00:34:31.691-07:00COUNSELOR'S CORNER: "WILL GOD FORGET ME?"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">Counselor's Corner</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Will God Forget Me? </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="color: #741b47;">It was a Sunday
evening at about 5 O’clock. I was at home engaged in some writing. Suddenly my
mobile phone rang. I picked it up and found an unfamiliar female voice. The
voice at the other end said, “Uncle, I am Riya. I am a final year nursing
student. I listened to your message on Family Life at the Sisters’ Camp near
our town last week. It touched me in many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I identified with that emotionally wounded girl you mentioned from
Jeremiah 8:21 and thought of calling you to tell you my story. May be you can
guide me to find healing for my wounded heart. I have no body to share these
burdens at home or in the assembly”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Surely,
Riya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for calling. Please tell me
your concerns and we can together find answers to your difficulties with the
help of God” I replied. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So Riya started
narrating her burdens with a soft and painful voice mixed with sobbing. Here is
a child of God born in a believers’ family. She lost her mother in her infancy.
She has no siblings. She grew up somehow with the help of neighbors and distant
relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father has been a
Christian worker and was rarely home to take her of her. Added to that, he was quite
unapproachable and he never gave her any love and caring. He also dealt with
her in anger and irritation most of the time and often shouted at and punished
and cursed her brutally. When she was about six years old, she got a stepmother
who was very nice and caring, but was no equal to one’s own mother. There were
very few girls in her age group in their church and no believer friend in her
school years and in the nursing college. So all these years, Riya grew up
friendless and had no one to talk openly or share burdens. She felt very lonely
and lived as if no one wanted or cared for her. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Riya’s father’s
cruel and angry nature made it difficult for even prevented her home to have
regular family prayer. She yearned to have a time to sit together with members
of the family to sing comforting and encouraging songs, reading the Bible and
pray, but often she was denied such opportunities. Riya felt very lonely and
desired for love and care and a time of fellowship, but it seems no one was
around to encourage and support her. She missed her mother so much and a
sibling too. She felt unwanted and uncared for. During her lonely hours, she
used to sit and cry, but no one was around to see her tears. She lived with emotional
pain and loneliness. She thought her future looked bleak and she found
meaninglessness in life. She often wondered about the meaning of life. It was
at the peak of such feelings that she heard my message and felt it worth to try
and speak to me to get prayer support and encouragement. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I started praying
as to how I should help this lonely, friendless and agonizing young believer
who deserved support, strength and empowering to live a victorious Christian
life. So I responded in the following manner: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Riya, it is good
that you decided to call me. I am truly sorry that you are going through
loneliness and friendlessness. I have come across many young believers, both
male and female, who feel exactly how you feel because they have no friends,
siblings and even parents. But please do not feel that your God has also
abandoned you. Even if the whole world forgets you, He will not. He is your
creator and redeemer and He cares for you like the apple of His eyes. Please
read the following verses to understand this: Psalms 17:8, Zachariah 2:8,
Deuteronomy 32:10. These will encourage you in your present situation”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Also, Riya, we
see that there are many lonely and burdensome people in the Bible who were not
forgotten by God. Let’s take the case of Noah in the book of Genesis. I am sure
you know the story of Noah from your Sunday school days”. I said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, uncle, I
remember the story of Noah and the ark during the flood”, Riya said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes” I continued.
“Noah and his family faced an uncertain future while they were in the ark. God
had a great plan for them even though they were not told about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t know for how long they had to be
in the ark and where and when it would end. Their ark was floating and so the
journey was quite unstable and shaky. The ark kept jerking and the direction
was not at all steady. The family of Noah was in the ark for roughly 371 days.
That’s almost a year of uncertainty. There was no world and no environment and
no future for them. Their journey was almost like the uncertainties of today’s
Covid-19 situation without any end. But they were sustained by their ardent
faith in God who helped them prepare the ark and gave them direction, with
provision and protection. God made sure that water would not enter the ark. You
see, Riya, what led them during the flood was their unfeigned trust and faith
in God’s power to keep them safe and to provide for their bright future. Hope
you understand the real message of this incident. God never forgot Noah and He
remembered him and his family and even the other living beings in the ark
(Genesis 8:1)”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We can see that
God had already prepared a fertile land for them to cultivate when they come
out of the ark. There were provisions for them to worship God and offer
sacrifices. There was a blue sky with a beautiful rainbow which is to be a
great promise for the future. Even though they were contained in an ark for
over a year, now they are given the whole world to enjoy. This God is our God
and He will prepare a nice future for us also. He will be with us during our
times of gloom, to prepare us to wait for the future. While Noah was in the
ark, God was preparing Noah and his family to accomplish great things for Him.
So Riya, the God of Noah is with you today. He knows that you are lonely and
enduring pain, but soon it will all be over. God has great plans for you. Your
time now is to meditate on and study His Word and grow in faith and in a richer
relationship with God”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Riya was listening
keenly and responding with sighs and sounds of nod as I was speaking. So I
continued: “Riya, I want to remind you of two women who felt abandoned and
friendless like you. They are Rachel, wife of Jacob and Hannah, wife of
Elkanah. I am sure you know much about them”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, I know
something about them, uncle”, Riya responded, “Please tell me about how they
handled their situations”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“OK. These two
women were childless also. Rachel, for example, tried all her tactics to become
a mother. She had jealousy towards her sister who was blessed with many
children. She even quarreled with her husband about her situation. But none of
these helped her to get the blessing of a child. She endured mockery and felt
deeply frustrated in her helplessness. Finally she prayed to God who remembered
her in her sad situation and blessed her with two children (Genesis 30:22). You
see, Riya, her human efforts didn’t help her at all, but when she put her
complete faith and trust in God and submitted her need to God, He remembered
her and answered her prayer. She got a son by the name Joseph, who later became
the savior of Jacob and his clan as he became the Prime Minster of Egypt”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s very nice,
uncle” said Riya. “She should have actually prayed at the very beginning rather
than trying out her own methods, engaging in quarrel with her husband and
schism with her sister”, she added.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s very true.
Hannah, the second woman I mentioned also resorted to prayer during her time of
frustration and loneliness and as she endured mockery. But she prayed
relentlessly and vowed that what God gives her will be given back to God in His
service. As Hannah prayed without ceasing, God remembered her with her tears,
loneliness, pain and mockery. Her passionate prayers (1 Samuel 1:19) were
answered. God gave her a child whom she gave back to God as His servant. As a
reward for this, God gave her five more children (1 Samuel 2:21). In both these
cases, God honored the faith of these women and answered their prayers. Such
prayer and faith can be seen as the key to open the doors of God’s blessings to
them. God proved to both Rachel and Hannah that He will not forget His children
who go through difficult situations”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Riya quickly said,
“Praise God for answered prayers. But uncle, may I ask you a question?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Surely, please
ask”, I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Uncle, please
tell me how I can be absolutely sure that God will answer my prayers for
removal of my loneliness and friendlessness”? Riya asked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sure, Riya”, I
said, and continued, “It is certain that God will remember his suffering
children like you because it is written in God’s Word which is eternally
settled in heaven (Psalms 119:89). Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 that even if the
heaven or the earth pass away, His words will by no means pass away. The Bible
says that none of the promises of our God will lose its power (2 Corinthians
1:20). If you live by trusting in the God who remembered and never forgot Noah,
Rachel and Hannah and live by faith in Him and pray, He will answer your
prayers and meet all your needs. Your anxiety, feeling of loneliness,
frustration and friendlessness will all be taken away from your mind by God. He
will give you believers for fellowship and prayer partners to pray together. If
you pray for your father by faith, God will help him to extend to you love and
compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Riya said, “Uncle,
please give me one more verse from the Bible for my peace, courage and
comfort”. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A verse that has
helped me a lot in my times of loneliness and frustration is seen in Psalms
42:5. This verse reassures us that in our times of frustration and depression,
if we pray, God will remove it and give us a joyful and purposeful life. Psalms
34:5 says that God will remove all darkness from the hearts of His children and
fill them with His light. These two verses will give you peace, joy and
satisfaction in life that your God who leads you will never leave nor forsake
you. He is the best friend of all lonely people in this world to fill their
lives with heavenly blessings. It includes you also, dear Riya.” I concluded. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank you, uncle,
for helping me to understand that my God will never forget me and that His promises
are unchangeable in all my circumstances. Praise God!”, Riya said in closing. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Riya, please make
sure to daily read and meditate on the verses I mentioned earlier. Your God
will never leave you nor forsake you as Jesus said in John 14:18. So be strong
and courageous as God told Joshua in Joshua 1:9”, I said in response. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“OK, uncle, thanks
for your help. I shall remember you in my prayers as I am sure you will pray
for God to take away my loneliness and friendlessness. Bye uncle” Riya said at
the end. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thus our
conversation ended. </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Dear Readers:</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">You are probably going through
loneliness, friendlessness, fear, uncertainty, tension, tears and frustration
during this lock-down period because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But you don’t
have to feel that way, because God Almighty is with you and His angels
encompass around you. He will carry you through these hard and difficult times.
The God who didn’t forget Noah, Rachel and Hannah will not forget you, but will
remember you and meet all your needs. His promises are ever sure and secure.
May God help you to depend on these promises and live a victorious Christian
life! <o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-31417805761801306352019-12-25T09:46:00.001-08:002019-12-25T09:48:15.422-08:00REMEMBER THE BABY OF BETHLEHEM! <br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Remember
the Baby of Bethlehem! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you throw away out-of-fashion clothes, </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the One who threw away His heavenly attair and was willing to be
wrapped in saddling clothes for you in Bethlehem! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you sleep on a mattress with cozy quilt and blanket, </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the One who had to be in a makeshift </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>crib
of hay in a manger in Bethlehem!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #579d1c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you you have plenty to eat and you throw away leftovers, but
feel hungry soon,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #579d1c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the One who became the spiritual Bread of Bethlehem so that you will
not be hungry again! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0084d1;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you see stars in the sky, </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0084d1;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
His Star that guided the Magi to a seemingly ordinary Baby in a
rented house in Bethlehem! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you give or receive a Christmas gift, </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the gifts He received from the Magi </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>in
a small house in Bethlehem! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you cry because of heartache and pain,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the One who cried by looking at His beloved Jerusalem, and at the
tomb of Lazaras, not far from Bethlehem! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next
time you fall prostrate and cry out of </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>heavy
load of burdens,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember
the One who fell face down and </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #7e0021;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>cried
for you in a garden in the neighborhood of Bethlehem!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today
the Baby of Bethlehem is the King of kings and the Lord of lords and </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>the
Savior of Mankind from their sins!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #ff420e;">He
wants to be born in every human heart by faith! </span></b></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #ff420e;">Today
you have a choice to invite Him into </span></b></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #ff420e;">your
hearts and lives! </span></b></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HAVE
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A
JOYFUL NEW YEAR 2020! </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Oommen
Philip Family</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Visit
the blog: <a href="http://todayingodsword.blogspot.com/">http://todayingodsword.blogspot.com</a>
</span> </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-38152270872246958662019-09-04T07:39:00.000-07:002019-09-04T07:41:20.031-07:00Series - THE REVIVAL OF A GREAT PROPHET - 7<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>Revival
of a Great Prophet-7</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span lang="en-GB"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">The
Commissioning of the Servant Preacher</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span lang="en-GB"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">Confession,
repentance and cleansing are indispensable for a servant of God to be
used of the Lord. It will follow towards commissioning,
recommissioning, renewal and revival in the servant’s heart and
life. He will then be ready to be sent by the Lord. Prophet Isaiah’s
life experience as depicted in Isaiah Chapter Six is a prime example
which every servant ought to follow all through his life. It cannot
be or need not be a one-time experience, but is the oft-repeated and
continuous driving force in the life and ministry of all the servants
of God. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">Isaiah’s
experience teaches us that when the call of the Lord is responded to
in the affirmative, willingly and voluntarily, the Lord has some
directions to give. If the response is seen as genuine and the
commitment total, then the Lord has something more to say to the
servant whom He is willing to send. He must go wherever the Lord
sends him. He must speak the truth to God’s people without
watering it down. He must not mince words. He must speak boldly in
the power of the Spirit of God. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">The
Lord warns Isaiah that he may not be frustrated when he sees the
response of the people. It is likely that the people might not
respond positively to the prophetic Word. But the preacher is not to
be discouraged about it. The test of the ministry is the faithfulness
with which the work is carried on and not on outward success in terms
of human reactions. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">The
Lord’s warning with its undertone to Isaiah and others is that if
Isaiah, or for that matter even today’s preachers, is unwilling to
deliver the message as it is, the Lord will send someone else. He
must remember the millions of seraphs who stand ready to fly and
serve Him and to execute the commandment if Isaiah relents. Isaiah
must realize that the door to the opportunity to serve the Lord will not
remain open forever, but the disobedient servant will be the loser. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">Isaiah’s
response is seen in the remaining sixty chapters of oracles of God
that He spoke through him. Moses and Jeremiah were quite reluctant to
be sent because of their own feeling of inadequacy. But Isaiah had
passed that stage in his life because he was totally broken and made
whole again by the live coal from the altar. It seems there was no
room for him to give an excuse for not going or to even think about
not going. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue;">The
revelation given to Isaiah leaves with a strong message of hope that
even if the entire garden of God’s people is to be cut off or
burned down because of resentment, cold-heartedness and passivity,
its stumps will remain for the Lord to work on and that these stumps
will sprout. This was a great message of hope for Isaiah and it was
sufficient for Isaiah to continue with his ministries with great
expectations. </span></span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lessons
for us today</span></b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">During
the vision of the lifted up Lord, Isaiah was in Heaven. He truly saw
the Lord Jesus Christ seated in Heaven (John 12:41). We are today
seated in Heaven with Him (Ephesians 2:6). So we have the greatest
opportunity to catch the vision of the same Lord in and through His
Word, through our meditations in His presence and our intimate time
of prayer. It is then that our hearts will burn within us to be able
to see the Lord in His glory (Psalms 39:1-3). We need to be broken
before the Lord and confess our sins, failures and inadequacies so
that our eyes will be healed to a full vision of the Lord. For us
today, it is not a physical vision, but a spiritual vision of Him,
His attributes, power, love and concern for us. If we catch such a
vision, we will be able to see what Isaiah saw in our inner mind. But
such an experience will have to be evidence-based in our attitude,
actions, ministry and relationships. It is not enough to call Him
“Lord! Lord!” but to prove to Him and to the rest of the world
that He is Lord indeed (Matthew 7:21). </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">Isaiah
received the boldness of a brokenness experience through this vision
and now he is so humble as to invite us to the lowest ebb of his
life. Perhaps we would not show such boldness and tenacity to invite
others to see our broken, contrite and humbling experiences. If not,
it might mean that we have yet to experience such a time of intimate
interaction with the Lord. If we have such an experience, we will
testify about it for others to learn lessons from it for their
edification. Otherwise, we will hide it from others and wear a
self-righteous face. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">We
must realize that we are not better than Uzziah or even Isaiah. We
must recognize it and follow the pathway of Isaiah and get matters
settled with the Lord rather than go on the wrong way shown by Uzziah
and progress towards doom, at least spiritually. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">We can
truly minister in the power of the Spirit of God if only we are
ministered unto by the Lord. We must develop evidence for brokenness
in our lives. We must be humble enough to be ministered unto by the
Lord before we qualify to minister unto others. Such a sense of
spiritual need is essential for us to progress towards revival and
renewal. </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB">Just
as Isaiah has experienced a change and a renewal in his soul, we must
experience a change in our attitude. We must get a newly renewed,
cleansed and refreshed tongue to minister. When the tongue is changed
along with the heart, we cannot and will not remain quiet, but will
speak to the people in a transformed way. Our message will then be a
new and dynamic message with a new focus, with Jesus on the Throne of
our lives and our ministries. We must exhibit a new set of
convictions and must be convicted preachers. But our lives should
preach more than our tongues. We must have a new zeal and exhibit it
to the people who are under our ministries. We will then demonstrate
the heart of a renewed preacher and prophet with a revolutionary
message. We must realize that reverence and devotion to the Lord are
far more important than activities. This is possible only through
attitudinal change for which Isaiah is a prime example. Our goal and
motto are to promote the Lord, His glory and cause and not ours, for
He says that He will look after our affairs if we look after His
mission (Matthew 6:33). </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="en-GB">As
Isaiah graduated through his temple experience, he begins a ministry
of exposing the glory of the Lord to the people through words of
comfort and encouragement. He was able to see the crucified Lord
which He expressed in Chapter 53 and other portions which expound on
the New Testament account of Calvary. He speaks on the first and
second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ through the rest of his
ministry. He proved to the rest of us that he is the expositor of the
salvation of our Lord to all of us. Hallelujah! What a Saviour! What
a glorious Lord! What a magnificent servant of the Great Servant who
humbled Himself to carry our sins on the cross of Calvary! </span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah
Chapter Six is the autobiography of a prophet where he has not hidden
his experience of lowliness and brokenness. Will we write an account
of our lowly experience in our autobiography? Isaiah Chapter Six is
an episode of change in a great servant of God. Will we allow such a
change to take place in our lives? When it happens, the world around
us will know and be moved by it. </span></span>
</b></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>(Series Concluded)</b></span></span></div>
<br />Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561489579981195408.post-48035190915744152382019-07-30T11:23:00.000-07:002019-07-30T11:23:05.804-07:00Series: THE REVIVAL OF A GREAT PROPHET - 6<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Revival
of a Great Prophet-6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Speakers and the Listeners-2 </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Isaiah’s cleansing</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>It is an amazing truth that a prophet of God also needs continuous cleansing.
It is equally astonishing that the prophet of God cries out loud declaring the
unworthiness of his unclean lips. Unclean lips come from the unclean heart which is
the seat of all evil and wickedness. But we do not know if Isaiah expected a
fiery and painful cleansing like that which he experienced in the Throne room. We
must realize that God cleanses with fire and not with detergent. This heavenly
cleansing is part of the burning off of the wicked tongue which pronounces woe
on people without realizing own wickedness and wicked tongue. All preachers
ought to take this matter very seriously and live in continuous repentance and
cleansing. Along with that, we ought to be fearful of how and for what we might
pray because we do not know how God is going to answer our prayers. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>God also teaches Isaiah that if he is cleansed and if it subsequently
results in a ministry of cleansing the people with God’s Word and His Spirit,
then only will there be a spiritual revolution among the people. Often such a spiritual revolution is not taking place among the people of God because of such a
revolution, renewal, and revival is not taking place among those whom God has
appointed to lead and guide His people. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>It is very interesting to see that when a servant of God repented and
cried out for cleansing, even the seraphs understood his confession. They were
the administrators of grace in the Kingdom of God and they quickly took the initiative to help Isaiah with the cleansing process. It follows that Isaiah’s
repentance was acceptable to God. But there was now the need for a painful,
complete, radical and dynamic cleansing process for God’s servant to be renewed,
refreshed, revitalized and revived. Isaiah understood that God’s cleansing
process is not a self-improvement programme, but a God-directed, God-controlled
and God-centered holy cleansing programme where the old self is burned off and a
renewed preacher emerges in its place. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>For every committed and repentant preacher, there is a burning
experience waiting for him. God’s live coal is available and ready to cleanse
every preacher provided he is ready and willing to go through the process and
bear the cost of cleansing. Why the angel is using a tong to pick up the live
coal? It is only to show that what is happening is real and an extremely painful
process to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will penetrate,
pierce, cleanse, bleach and burn off every stain that is inflicted because of
sin. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>Why the seraph is flying to Isaiah to cleanse him? It shows the swiftness with which the cleansing process is to be attended to so that the
tongue can be of maximum usefulness to the Lord for the longest period of time.
No cleansing means no ministry and the servant not qualified to minister. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>The seraph is given the privilege to declare the administration of
cleansing the tongue of the prophet and commission his readiness to minister.
He is now declared holy and is given the privilege to attribute holiness to the
Lord. It included total healing of the sin sickness of the prophet including
his tongue, his eyes and the environment in which he ministered. He is now
ready to be recommissioned by the Lord and his ministry renewed. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Finally, the Lord Speaks <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>The last speaker in this scenario is the Lord who has been quietly
watching the story unfolds. He is not in a hurry to speak. He is waiting until His
servant is ready and prepared to listen. So the Lord awaits true confession and
repentance from His choice servants. As He begins to speak, He has something to
say to all of us individually. Why he is tarrying is to see if we confess our
sins and iniquities to Him. He doesn’t usually speak to people when they have
unconfessed sins in their lives. He waits till the hearts are adequately
prepared and moved so that His utterances will create an impact in their
hearts. He expects a response from each of his listeners and waits for them to
be prepared to respond positively. But how will the people become prepared and
ready until their prophets, priests, kings and preachers are prepared and
renewed? <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>The Lord announces a call for willing individuals to obey Him and to be
sent by Him. He waits for volunteers who are ready to obey Him no matter the
consequence. Whoever is willing to obey Him may come and demonstrate to Him
that he is willing to be sent by Him. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>The utterance from the Lord underscores the powerful statement of the
Trinity. It is the call of the Lord and equally the call of the Triune God who
is perfectly united in the call. It has to be taken with the greatest seriousness
of those who listen to Him (Isaiah 6:8). Everyone everywhere is included in
this call and no one is spared. But it is a general call for which specific
response is expected from everyone. Those who have grace will only be able to
respond to the call. If only a person is sufficiently moved by the glory of the
Lord will he want to serve the Lord and obey His call to go wherever He wants
to send him? <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>It is interesting to see how the Lord didn’t give Isaiah the prerogative
to decide where to go and do whatever he wanted to do in serving Him. These are
decided by the Sender and the servant’s responsibility it is to go as he is
sent wherever the Lord is willing to send him. His mission was to declare whatever
the Lord wants which had to be communicated to the people as per His enabling.
The servant cannot have his personal agenda or scheme to perpetuate, but it has
to be solely the Lord’s programme. The only qualification that the Lord expects
for the servant is that He is called, sent and enabled by the Lord. Along with
the burning of his tongue, the Lord expects all his earthly qualification to be
burned off so that whatever the servant does will be solely directed by the Lord
and nothing else. The servant is to come with the motto: “Just As I AM”, totally
dependent on the Lord and His resources. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #38761d;">A Two-sided call</span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Almighty makes two subtle expressions in this call. First He asks as
to whom He shall send. This is the desire and will of the Lord for all His
servants. This call is open to all who listen, obey and are available to be
sent. It is the divine will to send out those who are willing and volunteering
to go. </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">At the same time, the call is open to those who commit themselves to go.
The command is not to go for the individual’s own agenda. If they are going,
they must go for Him and not for anyone else.</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord and he responded instantly. He heard
the commandment that the servant must go and declare a specific message to the
people of God. The message is articulated in specific dimensions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a message of warning, correction,
reprove and counsel along with consequences for disobedience. It is a message
which is to penetrate into the hearts and minds of God’s people to accomplish
what the Lord wants in and through their lives. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>We see Isaiah in a face to face confrontation with the stark reality of
a disobedient nation and their concerned Redeemer. The Redeemer waits patiently
for the nation to come back and sends His message for them to return through
His servant Isaiah. His message to the present world is also the same. He wants
committed, prepared and willing servants to ready themselves to go and preach
until at least a remnant will come back to Him with a repentant and broken
heart. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">(To Continue) </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Today In The WORDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831595986793275111noreply@blogger.com0