tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13062660940362655582024-03-20T11:08:58.445-04:00Christ Exalted Thoughts, ideas, and materials to help motivate and educate fellow believers.Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-82418453218345622122024-03-19T09:23:00.000-04:002024-03-19T09:23:09.165-04:00The End is Coming Soon<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">THE END
IS COMING…AGAIN???<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">You’ve
heard it many times no doubt. So many people for so many years have claimed the
end of the world is coming. I remember full-page advertisements in the
newspapers of many major cities back in the late 70’s declaring the end of the
world. Some claiming Jesus already returned and was seen in one location or
another. We’re still here. And the Bible even predicted exactly that. Peter<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>said, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">“<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, </span>(v.4) and<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> saying, </span>‘<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Where is the promise of his coming? for since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as <i>they were</i> from the
beginning of the creation</span>’” (II Peter<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 3:3</span>-4)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">To
be sure that you would not believe Jesus’ return was near, Satan blinded your
eyes with numerous false claims. One right after the other, until you were sick
of hearing about it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">I
am not saying Jesus will return by Monday morning. But he could. Look at the
currency. With bitcoins and things of that nature on the market today, how far
away is a universal currency? Almost every person in the world can witness his
second coming simultaneously. If not physically then by television and the
internet. Christians are openly persecuted in many countries today. How long
before they are silenced here and in Europe also? It is already beginning here.
The cry for world unity is stronger than ever. And in essence that is not a bad
idea, in and of itself. But a one-world government is essential to prophecy as
well. And that government in the last days, will be severely anti-Christian and
anti-Judaism. Immorality and anarchy will rule the day. Jesus said in Luke
17:26-30: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">“<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And as it was in the days of Noe (<i>Noah</i>), so shall it be also in
the days of the Son of man. </span>(v.27) <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">They did eat, they drank, they married wives,
they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and
the flood came, and destroyed them all. </span>(v.28) <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;
they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they
builded; </span>(v.29) but<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from
heaven, and destroyed <i>them</i> all. </span>(v.30) <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son
of </span>Man<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> is revealed.</span>”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p> The depravity of the hearts of
men in the days of Noah and Lot is praised in today’s society. In the time of
Noah and Lot, the sinful activity of man was seen on the streets because it
could not be hidden. How sick is the world today? It is horrifying to think
what goes on with the use of computers and the internet today. Women and
children being bought and sold like cattle and many of the governments of this
word standing by doing nothing or even participating. Could the days of Lot and
Noah be worse than what we already see today? I doubt it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is, in my opinion, this
one last opportunity to be redeemed, to come to Christ for salvation, before it
is too late. Some, because they have heard about the rapture, have said they
will wait until they see the Church (God’s people) removed and then they will
believe and be saved. Please understand…that is not possible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i>Message me if you don’t know what the
rapture is</i>.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">When
the rapture occurs and believers are removed from this world, ALL who remain
here, will believe the narrative of the government at that time; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">II Thessalonians 2:11-12;<b> “</b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: </span>(v.12) that<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> they all might be damned who
believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.</span>” You will
not believe, no matter how miraculous the event of our departure.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">This
may very well be your LAST opportunity for salvation. God loves you and is “…<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance</span>” (II Peter 3:9b). But the
choice is yours. God warns repeatedly, He cries out to be saved. But He leaves
the choice to you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">The
end is on the horizon, there is no doubt. Will you come to Christ today for
salvation?<o:p></o:p></p>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-36536328129592976472023-04-17T16:31:00.002-04:002023-04-17T16:31:19.071-04:00The testimony of a changed life<p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">The testimony of a changed life</span></b></p><p>I suppose if we were to ask around, if we were to take a survey of the leaders in many of our churches today, the need they expressed would find common ground. Oh, there may be some divergence from the mainstream but for the most part the need would be the same. Most would agree we need stronger preachers. We need men of God who are not afraid to stand up and proclaim the Word of God without reservation, without watering it down to make it more palatable to the general population. We need pulpits filled with the power of the Holy Spirit of God.</p><br />I do not disagree with the need for Spirit filled men in the pulpit. I simply disagree with the notion that it would somehow heal what is wrong in our churches. Before one can answer the question of what is needed one must assess the need. And to me the need is simple, getting the gospel to the lost.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />We seem to have come to the place in the local church where we believe that the pulpit is the evangelistic arm of the church. We host programs and seminars designed to bring people into the building so that we can preach to them and see them saved. But is that the purpose of the pulpit?<o:p></o:p><br /><br />Forty (some) years ago I was unsaved. I had recently graduated from high school and was living a rather pointless life. I was lost but I didn’t understand my condition. I went to church…as often as my mother forced me to. And so, as a lost individual I would attend church, daydream in the pew, sing the hymns (off key) and go home. Our church, I learned much later, had a very good preacher and a loving pastor. So, why didn’t I hear the message of salvation? Why wasn’t I moved to repent and be born again? If the problem is in the pulpit, then I should have been saved in that church. Because the pulpit in that church had a godly pastor.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />I dated a young lady during this same period of time who was also unsaved. We only dated for a brief time but I admired her very much. She was a good person, unsaved, but a good person. We broke up and she went on with life and I continued with my life as well.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />About a year or so later, as God would have it, her sister and my brother were to be married. It was this event that brought us together again. When I saw her again, I had hope that we might get back together. I looked for an opportunity to be alone with her. At the close of one evening of wedding planning I discovered she needed a ride home. “Finally,” I thought to myself, my opportunity was there. She accepted my offer to drive her home. Plans began to form in my mind, ways to win her back.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />What I did not see was that none of this was by accident. This was God’s plan. Instead of a pulpit with a mighty preacher He gave me a gentle young lady with a new heart. Chris had been born again since my last contact with her and I didn’t know it…yet. As we drove toward her home, she began to tell me how God had changed her life. She said that Jesus died to forgive her sins and mine. She explained that God loved me and wanted to adopt me into His family. Quietly, and only under my breath, I mocked every word she said. I tried to act unaffected by her changed life. But you see, that was the testimony. It was her changed life. Yes, her words had power. But I had known Chris and now I was seeing Chris born again. When I dropped her off at home I had to drive away alone, just me and the Holy Spirit of God.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />The next day was Sunday and the ‘mighty preacher’ was silenced in my heart by the memory of the night before. All I could do was to wait for him to finish so that I could walk that aisle and ask “how” to be saved. I have no idea what he preached. But today I can still tell you what Chris said 40+ years ago with a changed life.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />Is the need in our churches great preachers, with honed homiletical skills? I don’t think so. We need to get back into society and let them see our changed lives. We, with the evident work of Christ in our lives, must share our testimony. And then as they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of God, we can bring them into a Church family they will feel a part of and enjoy fellowshipping with.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />If you ask me which is greater a sermon, or the testimony of a changed life, my answer will always be…The testimony of a changed life<br /><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-62550239517621106722023-02-08T15:10:00.004-05:002023-02-08T15:11:21.161-05:00WE MUST STOP SPOON FEEDING THE CHURCH <p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">WE MUST STOP SPOON FEEDING THE CHURCH<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have visited several churches. Many have a very nice
social atmosphere. There is coffee in the vestibule with a selection of cakes
or other snacks to help set the tone of a pleasant welcoming congregation. I
suppose there really is nothing wrong with this in and of itself. Except that
it helps to mask an underlying problem which has plagued our churches since my
youth. The Apostle Paul pointed it out in Hebrews 5:12 "For when for the
time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be
the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of
mild, and not of strong meat." We have become a church of infants. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There seems to be an innate fear within the leadership of
the churches. A fear that says, "If we teach the Word of God with
intensity, as we would in a college or seminary setting, the congregation would
get up and walk out. They would be overwhelmed and leave our
congregation." And so, in an attempt to cater to the immature and ensure
the pews are filled we opt for socializing the Word of God, keeping it on an
elementary level so as not to lose members. The result? We have many large
congregations starving for spiritual nutrition. Most are remaining infants, "For
everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is
a babe" (Heb. 5:13).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Apostle Peter anticipated this problem as well. In II
Peter chapter one he lays out a lengthy description of the believer's current
position as well as his need to apply these truths and develop his character.
In verses 3-4b we read, "According as his divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him
that hath called us to glory and virtue: (v.4b) whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises...." He says, look at what we have.
God has already given us everything we need as believers. And in our modern
churches we stop here. We sing wonderful songs exalting this idea but we stop
there. What does this mean? How does it occur? How does it become mine? what
does it mean to me in my life? It makes for beautiful lyrics. But they become
vain repetitions until we study the Word of God and discover the origin and
purpose of these gifts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And then in verses 4b-9 Peter makes a point of saying that
by these gifts and their application in our individual lives we become the
saints of God we were meant to be. We become temperate, virtuous,
knowledgeable, kind, and loving… but only as we learn what the Word of God
teaches. When we fail to study as we ought, when the preachers and
teachers fail to feed the flock, Peter says in verse nine that we become blind
and even forgetful of how our salvation was ever obtained. We simply must teach
the Word and stop entertaining in fear of losing members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In II Peter the Apostle goes on to say something I find
fascinating. It seems to go against the prevailing wisdom of our day. In verse
twelve he says, "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in
remembrance of these things, though you know them..." He says he is going
to continue to teach what they already know over and over again. Do you think
he was afraid of losing members? The remainder of verse 12 says that it is this
which will establish them in the truth, or provide them with a firm foundation.
But now look at verse 13, "Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this
tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." As long as I am
alive, as long as I have flesh and in fact (v.15) until the day I die I will
continue teaching these same principles so that you will have them when I am
gone. I will teach them over again with my last breath in order to shore up
your faith.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why does the church feel a need today to provide flashy
preaching, to find ways to entertain the congregation? Why are the preachers
not preaching and teaching with an eye toward establishing the believer in the
"faith once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3)? Is the gospel of
Jesus Christ no longer valid? Is the Word of God no longer a comfort (I Thes
4:18) to the soul? Does the preaching of the cross need enhancing to become
attractive to this new generation? NO! We are moving away from the Gospel of
Christ with every new idea we introduce. Our ideas and efforts are taking time
away from the actual teaching of the Word. If we were to take time, time that
is needed, to actually dig deep into the Bible and teach it as it was intended
to be taught, we would not have time for all the nonsense we see in the
churches today.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need fire in the pulpit, fire produced by the preaching
of the Word empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. The church in America has
become anemic. With all of our activities and social emphasis we simply do not
have time for anything more than a gentle spoon feeding.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christian, open the Book and study it. Church, Pastors and
teachers, stop spoon feeding the Church. <o:p></o:p></p>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-15654450481275645162022-10-14T19:37:00.000-04:002022-10-14T19:37:37.972-04:00<p> </p><p><br /></p><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Before the snow falls<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spring has come and gone. The crisp evening breezes and the refreshing morning rains have given life to God’s creation according to His design. Life was evident in every scenic view that caught the eye. Here at home our house was surrounded with beautiful flowers and shrubs. So many flowers with names I could never remember but I am sure Jane recalls every one of them. She planted them with care and watched them grow throughout the springtime and on into summer.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Summer has come and gone, also. The life that was begun in spring matured into awe inspiring beauty during the summer months. Trees grew tall and strong. A host of animals could be seen nursing their young and teaching them so many lessons they would need for life. We had lovely summer evenings laughing with friends, roasting marshmallows over campfires and walking along beaches or forest paths.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And here we are in the autumn of the year. It really has been enjoyable. Now we find ourselves looking back. We always seem to look back. So many things unfinished. It is difficult to make yourself do the necessary things of life on a beautiful spring afternoon. There are bicycles to ride and boats and skateboards and kites to fly. And of course there are ponds to fish in and fields to lie down in. And then summer just creeps in silently before you even realize he is there. And all of the tasks that had to be finished are put off for just a little longer because the beach, like a siren, calls so softly and seductively. Surely the chores of life can wait just a little longer. How much time can it possibly take to camp in the forest of a great mountain ridge? And surely it isn’t wrong to plan a trip to some of God’s most beautiful waterfalls. And again, the tasks of life are shelved for just a little longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Autumn now finds us with so much to do and so little time. It is still so very beautiful with the multicolored leaves falling gently in the autumn breeze. Yet, at times, it looks strangely ominous when you notice among those falling leaves the bare arms of so many trees, now only half dressed. Life seems to be dissipating slowly with every gust of wind. It is now the chores of greatest urgency that cause us to say, “I really must get this done before the snow falls.” “I must fix the window shutters before the snow falls.” “I must repair the furnace before the snow falls.” How urgent the needs now seems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And now we find ourselves prioritizing because we know we cannot finish all that must be done…before the snow falls. There simply is not enough time. Isn’t this life? The spring of our youth is spent. The vigor of those middle years is waning. And now, as strength and energy seem to be ebbing away we begin to realize what is really important. We see now what really must be done…before the snow falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was speaking with one of our nieces recently and the thought occurred to me, and I shared it with her, that God has people he wants us to influence. And could it be that some of these will be people that only we can influence? Is it possible that we could be their last hope? How urgent the need. How many opportunities have we had and how many have passed us by? We really must reach them…before the snow falls. Before our eyes begin to dim, before our limbs become too frail, before our thoughts are jumbled memories…before the snow falls we must reach them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I fear the autumn of life will continue to absorb my days with idle talk and endless play, with tasks that seem to be important but in the end will burn to ash. I cannot imagine the shame of standing before my Lord on judgment day with empty hands. Will I have nothing but the memory of being busy with life and that clarion call to service unfulfilled?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">We really must reach them… before the snow falls?</span></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-15678221093259415372022-07-16T23:11:00.002-04:002022-07-16T23:11:30.880-04:00Which Door?<p> <b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Which Door?</b></p>I didn’t really mean to eavesdrop but sometimes you just happen to be in that perfect spot. Even at that, I would normally have made an effort not to listen even if I could hear. But this was different. I heard one man address another in a cordial manner as ‘preacher’ which, as you can imagine, caught my attention. I never could hear the “preacher’s” words. He was just out of earshot. So, some of what I was hearing I was interpreting based on a one sided conversation. The ‘preacher’ said something, after “hello”, about heaven. I am certain of that because the response that came caused me to want to jump up and interject. The other man simply said that when he stood before God he would take whatever comes.<br /><br />I have heard people say this sort of thing before and it always strikes me the same way. They seem to have a casual nonplussed understanding of what that final day will be like. I had all I could do to retain my seating. I wanted desperately to jump up and join this man at his table for a lengthy conversation. However, not being invited to do so left me wondering how I might explain to my wife how I managed to get kicked out of McDonald’s. So, I reluctantly left this gentleman to his ‘preacher’ friend.<br /><br />I wonder how many people allow themselves such a casual concept of the final judgment. If we understood what God has done to save humanity we would race to Him and flee the terrors hell. <div><br /></div><div>As I thought about his response to the ‘preacher’ I was struck with an image. Imagine sitting in a place like McDonalds. You see several gruff looking young men gather outside the exit door. And for no less than one hour you watch as people try to leave. But everyone who exits that door is beaten violently and left for dead on the sidewalk. Your meal is over. Your coffee is finished. You need to leave. No police have arrived to assist. Will you just get up and say to yourself, “Well, I will take whatever comes” and walk out that door?<br /><br />Now imagine that just as you stand and begin your approach to that exit door someone reaches out and takes your arm. As they do they say to you, “Wait! Don’t go out there. There is another exit door over there just across the room. It is a safe exit.” Do you really suppose that you would simply say to your would-be-savior that you didn’t want to use the other door, and that you would just take whatever comes, knowing that you would be violently beaten without mercy? The answer is clear. Nobody would choose to suffer if the choice truly was their own.<br /><br />So, why then, do so many make such foolish statements as our gentleman at McDonald’s? Because they don’t believe there is any real danger. They choose to ignore the warnings. Jude 1:13 “... to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Mark 9:43-44 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (v.44) where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Luke 16:23-24 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (v.24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”<br /><br />God really made it so easy. Yet, so many miss it. He will open the door of Heaven to anyone who will come, provided they come His way. He does not allow us to make our own path. All He wants for us to do is to understand that we really are sinful (Romans 3:23*), that there really is a payment or penalty for that sin (Romans 6:23*) and to understand that His Son Jesus Christ paid that penalty for us already (Romans 5:8; I Peter 2:24*). If we can honestly understand and acknowledge this then He says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13*).<br /><br />How do we call upon Him for salvation? Romans 10:9-10 gives us the best example, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (v.10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Simply put, it would be a prayer something like this:<br /><br />"God I know I am a sinner and without Jesus I am lost forever. I am sorry for all of my sin and today as best I know how I am turning away from sin and asking Jesus Christ to be my Lord. I believe Jesus died in my place to pay the price I owed. Right now I ask Jesus to come into my heart and save me. I believe Jesus was raised from the dead as evidence that my sin was forgiven. Thank you for saving me, Amen."<br /><br />You see there really are only two doors exiting this life. One leads to eternal suffering the other to eternal joy. You can walk through the door of destruction but it will be your choice. You won’t be able to blame God because Jesus, all the while, is calling out to you from the other door having done everything necessary to ensure your safety.<br /><br />Every time you hear this kind of message or read it, you make a choice. If you walk away without accepting Christ into your heart, without being born again, you have chosen the door of destruction…at least for that moment. If God has given you this one opportunity it is one more than He owes you.<br /><br />What is your choice today, which door?<br /><br />*Bible Passages cited:<br />Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;<br />Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (or proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.<br />1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.<br />Romans 10:9-10 (<i>gives us the best example</i>), “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (v.10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.<br />Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.</div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-79256897264622630212022-01-07T22:28:00.006-05:002022-01-07T22:47:49.703-05:00BEFORE THE SNOW FALLS<p> <span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">BEFORE THE SNOW FALLS</span></b></span></span></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> Spring has come and gone. The crisp evening breezes and the refreshing morning rains have given life to God’s creation according to His design. Life was evident in every scenic view that caught the eye. Here at home our house was surrounded with beautiful flowers and shrubs. So many flowers with names I could never remember but I am sure Jane recalls every one of them. She planted them with care and watched them grow throughout the springtime and on into summer.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> Summer has come and gone, also. The life that was begun in spring matured into awe inspiring beauty during the summer months. Trees grew tall and strong. A host of animals could be seen nursing their young and teaching them so many lessons they would need for life. We had lovely summer evenings laughing with friends, roasting marshmallows over campfires and walking along beaches or forest paths.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> And here we are in the autumn of the year. It really has been enjoyable. Now we find ourselves looking back. We always seem to look back. So many things unfinished. It is difficult to make yourself do the necessary things of life on a beautiful spring afternoon. There are bicycles to ride and boats and skateboards and kites to fly. And of course there are ponds to fish in and fields to lie down in. And then summer just creeps in silently before you even realize he is there. And all of the tasks that had to be finished are put off for just a little longer because the beach, like a siren, calls so softly and seductively. Surely the chores of life can wait just a little longer. How much time can it possibly take to camp in the forest of a great mountain ridge? And surely it isn’t wrong to plan a trip to some of God’s most beautiful waterfalls. And again, the tasks of life are shelved for just a little longer.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> Autumn now finds us with so much to do and so little time. It is still so very beautiful with the multicolored leaves falling gently in the autumn breeze. Yet, at times, it looks strangely ominous when you notice among those falling leaves the bare arms of so many trees, now only half dressed. Life seems to be dissipating slowly with every gust of wind. It is now the chores of greatest urgency that cause us to say, “I really must get this done before the snow falls.” “I must fix the window shutters before the snow falls.” “I must repair the furnace before the snow falls.” How urgent the needs now seems.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> And now we find ourselves prioritizing because we know we cannot finish all that must be done…before the snow falls. There simply is not enough time. Isn’t this life? The spring of our youth is spent. The vigor of those middle years is waning. And now, as strength and energy seem to be ebbing away we begin to realize what is really important. We see now what really must be done…before the snow falls.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> I was speaking with one of our nieces recently and the thought occurred to me, and I shared it with her, that God has people he wants us to influence. And could it be that some of these will be people that only we can influence? Is it possible that we could be their last hope? How urgent the need. How many opportunities have we had and how many have passed us by? We really must reach them…before the snow falls. Before our eyes begin to dim, before our limbs become too frail, before our thoughts are jumbled memories…before the snow falls we must reach them.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"> I fear the autumn of life will continue to absorb my days with idle talk and endless play, with tasks that seem to be important but in the end will burn to ash. I cannot imagine the shame of standing before my Lord on judgment day with empty hands. Will I have nothing but the memory of being busy with life and that clarion call to service unfulfilled?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;">We really must reach them… before the snow falls?</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;">If you are reading this and have not yet ask Jesus Christ into your heart to save you, please read the following, and contact me if you have any questions: https://christxalted.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-be-born-again.html </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: white;"><br /></span></div></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-4429094105850961152021-12-31T14:03:00.001-05:002021-12-31T14:04:14.247-05:00How You Can Tell<p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">How you can tell</span></b></p><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Am I a biker? 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<![endif]--><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Christianity has similar distinctives. There are a good many people today who would claim to be Christian. They attend church when they have time as long as it is not too inconvenient. They are often seen putting some small amount of money in the offering plate as it passes. In fact, many who claim to be Christian even try to do things in public that look religious. Is church attendance worship? Does giving a small amount “appease” God? Is doing good things the same as being holy?</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was at the post office this morning. A middle-aged woman driving a pickup truck pulled into the lot. After she entered the office she began to tell a story to the post master. In that story she made no attempt to refrain from the use of common vulgarities. What she did and said clearly caused me to wonder if she had ever been saved. I felt sorry for her as I wondered about her eternal state. As I passed by her truck I saw a large Bible on the dash in clear view. Was it her Bible? Did she actually claim to be born again? Later in the day I was on the computer and was directed to the page of a friend whom I am fairly certain would claim to be saved. As I read the entries posted by my friend I was actually shocked and at times appalled by what was there. Were these people Christians? Think this through carefully, were they Christians?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Believers today (those who claim to be saved) have no real sense of holiness. There is no revulsion toward sin, no actual hatred of sin. Christians today essentially sin and say, “oops” and go on with life. God calls us to a holy, sin free, life. Jesus told the woman taken in adultery (John 8:11) to “go and sin no more.” 1Peter 1:15 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are warned by the Apostle Paul that if we do sin God will punish us for it if we are truly saved, Hebrews 12:5b-6, “…My son despise not the chastening of the Lord nor faint when though art rebuked of Him. (v.6) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” These two passages are most enlightening. If we are not living holy lives we are living in open rebellion against God. And the evidence that we are God’s children is the chastisement (punishment) that God brings into our lives every day because of our sin. Here then is the dilemma. If we are sinning without God punishing us, are we saved? If we can live in un-holiness without guilt are we truly the children of God? It is almost like we want to be bikers without being dedicated to biking. We are trying to be Christians without allowing God into our daily lives, without allowing His Holy Spirit to reign supreme in our hearts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We do not perform all the things that Christians are known to do in order to be saved. BUT, if we are saved and God’s Holy Spirit is living in our heart, if we have truly been born again we will naturally be living differently, II Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When people see you, what do they see? Do they see someone who is living a holy life in compliance with the command of God? Are there noticeable differences between your life today and the life you lived before coming to Christ? What words come out of your mouth during a conversation? Or, what do your text messages and facebook postings reveal about the heart you said was changed by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ?<br /><br />Jesus left us here in this world to be ambassadors for Christ, to represent Him here. Everything we do reflects on the name of our Lord positively or negatively. We are His ambassadors. With everything we say, everything we post on these computers and every text we send we are telling a lost world something about our God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What did you, by your actions or words, tell the world about Jesus today?</div><div><br /></div><b></b>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-47477169204006088612021-12-17T10:35:00.000-05:002021-12-17T10:35:20.453-05:00The Battle<p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Battle</span></b></p><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>2Timothy 2:4</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">this</span> life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If we were going to war we would not allow the things of this world to distract us. And, in our more modern thinking, we would not likely be concerned with pleasing the one who chose us for any army. However, one can see the intent of this statement just the same, “Please God with your life since it is God who chose you to become one of His own.” He </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">chose</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> We get so caught up with the things in this world, never really understanding their temporal nature. The Apostle John saw it almost 2000 years ago; I John 2:15-16<i> Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (v.16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. </i>Everything around us is temporary and has no lasting purpose or value. We live in a spiritual universe, not physical. It is the spiritual which will continue not the physical. We put so much value on the things we see, striving to attain, working to gain more, finding ways to preserve or retain more “things”. When, in reality, it is the spiritual realm around us that actually matters. We are a brief physical manifestation in an eternal spiritual realm. The primary focus should be our eternal souls. But instead, we hold feverishly to our bank accounts, our public image, the status we have in society and all the possessions we have amassed, never pausing to consider that in a single moment of time it will all vanish.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Our focus must become our relationship with God. The verse we cited above mentions soldiers. Timothy assumes first that we are members of God’s army, that we are born again children of God*. The children of God are the soldiers that Paul makes reference to in this verse. Too many of us become sons of God and then choose to stay home and not join in with the army of God. It is not a separate enlistment. When one becomes a child of God they are automatically enlisted in his army. Sadly, many of God’s soldiers choose to stay home and not join in the battle. God is warring for the souls of men. He is trying to save as many as possible before the end while a large part of his own army remains “encamped” at home in the comforts of this physical world.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> We must learn to focus on the battle. Paul told Timothy our war, our fight, must be one in which we are free from the affairs of this life. Our focus should be the souls of men, they are eternal. <b><i>Every person</i></b> we see will one day stand (or kneel) in the presence of God. The only question is whether they kneel as born-again believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ or as condemned souls at the Great White Throne. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As Christians, our current concern seems to be more about maintaining other’s friendships and affections today in the few short years we share in this physical realm. We are in a battle for their souls. Release the hold of worldly affections and do everything possible to get them under the sound of the Gospel. Yes, it may cause us to lose their companionship today. But, if they finally, somewhere in life, meet Christ because of our testimony would the loss of their friendship today be too great a price to pay? The eternal gratitude of a redeemed soul will be of far greater value than anything this world offers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> We are in a great spiritual battle and the only things which are eternal are the souls of our family, friends and acquaintances here. Turn your eyes to the battlefield and become one that the Father can be glad he chose for the fight. Be the soldier God has called you to be. Don’t be timid or shy. We must all come to the place in our Christian life where we can say with Paul, “… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Get in the battle “that (you) may please him who hath chosen (you) to be a soldier.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">*If you have not been born again then stop here please and read: http://christxalted.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-be-born-again.html)</span></p></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-81421958362900197802021-07-08T09:12:00.005-04:002021-07-08T19:13:20.196-04:00WHAT TO DO WITH KNOWLEDGE<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">WHAT TO DO WITH KNOWLEDGE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"> When
something in the Word of God suddenly becomes real to you, when the reality of
that truth is almost paralyzing as you see it materializing in the real-world
around you, what do you do?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Recently
a friend asked if I would take the time to watch a video he had come across.
That is certainly not uncommon. Most of us understand that when we see or hear
things that prick us in the heart, whether by fear or fascination, we are prone
to share them with those we are close to. And so, knowing he was one who truly
wants to walk with Christ, I felt the video might be well worth my interest. And
it was. This is not an alarmist conspiracy theory alert, so please continue
reading.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> When
I was only a few years old in our Lord, having been saved only 2-3 years
earlier, I was introduced to the Illuminati. Fear and the desire to expose this
entity was all-the-rage at that time. Most religious groups who spoke of the
end times would focus their efforts on exposing them. Early on, I was shown the
pyramid symbol on our dollar bill and heard about their infiltration into our governing
bodies. That was some 45 years ago. Since that time, it has all but vanished
from the pulpits. Other issues have taken their place. Did they go away? Are
they no longer a concern?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In
my first pastorate, a friend and member of our church explained he had once
been a freemason. He gave it up after receiving Christ as his Savior. However,
he did want me to have his copy of the freemason handbook he had been given to
study. I took it home and read it voraciously. I learned it did not matter to
the freemasons which god you worshipped since every country they were in had
their own god. Clearly, freemasonry was not Christian. At the best it might
have been called theistic. So, I understood why he felt the need to leave the
freemasons behind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In
watching the video I had been given, these things (and others more terrifying)
were brought to light and tied together. I began to understand the connection
they all had. The speaker on the video was trying to help people understand
that these entities were tied together and running the governments of this
world. And he was right. I believe almost every word of what he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I
closed the video. I sat and thought. I wondered at all I had heard. But…I was
not at all surprised. I have long known as I am sure many of you know, Satan is
in control of this world. Does it matter which form he takes? It is good to
always remember this world is in Satan’s control. But we never need to fear
that fact, because God is always in control of the end results. He will be the
victor and He will reign supreme. So, what do we do with the knowledge? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> First,
watch its growth and expanse as the years go by and take heart as we see it
fulfilling the prophecies of God. God said evil would fill this world again
just at it did in the days of Lot and Noah. In Noah’s day God could only find <i><u>one
family</u></i> to save. Evil will fill every government in this world. As it gets
closer to that mark, WE GET CLOSER TO HOME. Find encouragement that fact, not
fear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Second,
get off your stump. We do not need to focus on learning all about Satan’s
methods and tactics. We need to fulfill the command of Christ, “<i><span lang="X-NONE">And the lord said unto the
servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that
my house may be filled</span></i>” (Luke 14:23). I know the first response will
be that the lost need to see the danger. However, let me offer this example: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> You
are facing someone who has an immediate life threating danger directly behind
them. They do not see it. You
are about to scream out to them the need they have to take your hand for rescue before they die. Will
you say, “please quickly take my hand you are about to die?” Or will you try to spend the next thirty minutes
explaining what is behind them knowing they might possibly slip and fall into it at any moment. Really
it does not matter if it is fire, a spear about to be thrust into them, a vat of deadly acid or a pit
of vipers, they just need to be saved from the danger.
Warn them and offer them Jesus. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Today’s horrific political environment should
motivate us t</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: center;">o win the lost at any cost. Understand the dangers without becoming
entangled in them but preach Christ and Christ crucified for sin. </span></p>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-41264704992171332122021-06-07T13:02:00.002-04:002021-06-07T13:02:30.154-04:00Mirrors Lie<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MIRRORS LIE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">No kidding, mirrors really do lie. Oh, I
don't think they do it on purpose. Most mirrors would like to be honest but
they just can't help it. Or maybe, it really isn't them at all. It could be
our perception of the reflection we see. Let's not blame mirrors entirely.
Understand that each of us has an idea of what we look like. We really don't
know what we look like to the rest of the world. We have only our own
personal impression of what they see, and it is terribly skewed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really can never stand back and look
at yourself and expect to see what others see. Think of your graduation photo
for the High School year book. Your friends gathered around and told you how
that photo looked just like you and it was such a great shot. But you sat
there on the verge of vomiting as soon as you laid eyes on it. So, what was
the difference? You both viewed the same photo and came away with entirely
different concepts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long ago I was in a public washroom
and caught a profile of myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe what I was
seeing. Was that really me? Is it possible that I actually looked like that
to the rest of the world? Mirrors lie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will never see, in a mirror or photo,
what friends and relatives see when they talk to us or walk along beside us
in the yard or at a church function. They see, in addition to the surface
features, all of the personality and years of love and friendship that has
grown between us. They see character that mere glass cannot reflect and film
can never capture. You can't see what they do because you also see all that
you know about yourself and all that they, by the grace of God, will never
know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you look in the mirror, or the
store front as you pass by, be forgiving. Don't judge so harshly. Remember,
your friends and family love someone dearly who just happens to be wrapped up
in that same reflection. Try to see what they see. Try to love the person
they have come to love so deeply. And remember, none of it was ever based
upon weight, hair style, clothing or blemishes, it was always a matter of
character, spirituality and your acceptance of them. We will never really see
what others see, but I think we should try.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Matthew 22:39 Jesus speaking of the
10 Commandments said, “And the second <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span>
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” How can we keep this
second commandment, to love others as ourselves, if we do not learn to love
ourselves first? We can learn to love the person God created when our mirror
is not an empty reflection in a glass, but is instead the Mirror of God’s
Word (James 1:25). God loves us and sees us (if you are born again) as the
redeemed, filled with His Holy Spirit and adopted into His family as joint
heirs with His Son Jesus Christ. It is an image no mirror could ever capture.
We are the Bride of Christ and you just can’t get any more beautiful than
that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I guess mirrors lie after all.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-65255328642737690762021-03-24T22:10:00.000-04:002021-03-24T22:10:22.855-04:00<p><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> God is Good all the Time</span></b></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"> Psalm 73:1, 22-28 </span></p><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Psalm 73:1</span> “A<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Psalm of Asaph.</span> Truly God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> good to Israel, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">even</span> to such as are of a clean heart.”<br /><br />What a wonderful start to a Psalm, right? He says, God is good to Israel and, in fact, He is good to all the righteous. One can almost believe the author is about to ask the reader for a response. Today there is a phrase that elicits this type of responsive participation. It begins with one person saying, “God is good” and those hearing this universal truth respond with, “All the time.” And it’s commonly repeated at least one more time. Unfortunately, our author was not in quite so happy a mood. If you take the time to read verses 2-21 it becomes clear that he was ranting against the wicked and especially the wealthy wicked. He was frustrated that it seemed as though they had it made in this world. They seemed to get away with all forms of ungodliness and then were also able to live in the lap of luxury without a care in this world.<br /><br />Today, we say God is good. But do we really believe it? Or, are we in lockstep with the Psalmist allowing doubts to arise in our hearts? Wickedness prevails in this world today. It seems to be worse today than it has ever been in any other time in history. Do you ever find yourself asking, “Where is God?” Or even thinking about the ungodly wealthy as the psalmist did, “They <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> not in trouble <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">as other</span> men; neither are they plagued like <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">other</span> men.” That seems to be precisely what Asaph, the author of this psalm, has done.<br /><br />At some point his heart catches up with his intellect. It is then that this passage takes a very radical turn. I am wondering how many of us need to have one more look around. How many need to re-evaluate what they believe they are seeing? Listen now as the Psalmist reconsiders his own statements.<br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Psa 73:22 “So foolish <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> I, and ignorant: I was <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">as</span> a beast before thee. (v.23) Nevertheless I <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">am</span> continually with thee: thou hast holden <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">me</span> by my right hand. (v.24) Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to</span> glory. (v.25) Whom have I in heaven <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">but thee?</span> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">there is</span> none upon earth <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> I desire beside thee. (v.26) My flesh and my heart faileth: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">but</span> God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (v.27) For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. (v.28) But <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it is</span> good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”</div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div>Now he truly hears his own complaints and in verse 22 is honestly remorseful, (I paraphrase) “How could I have been so foolish and ignorant: I was acting no wiser than a common animal.” It is with this very revelation of his own foolishness that he unfolds before us some precious truths. In verse 23, he says that we are always with God. We have never been without the presence of God. We do not know the awfulness of His absence. And He is holding us in His kind and loving right hand. He guides us (v.24) with His holy and righteous counsel and when all else fails and this life finally ends, our end will be with God in His eternal glory. Verse 25 declares the all sufficiency of His Divine nature. Of all who are in Heaven now there is only one who will have the attention of this Psalmist. And on earth there is only one who now commands his undivided attention. In heaven or in earth the presence of God is his reality. In verse 26 his focus shifts to the temporal nature of these bodies. He is fully aware that this flesh is going to decay. But now, in God he recognizes that everything he is, and all he will ever need, is His Heavenly Father. And in verse 27 he briefly reflects again on the wealthy wicked. But this time reality permeates his thoughts. The truth of their condition is unsettling, the wicked will perish but it is even worse than that. All of those who were unsaved and putting others or other things in the place of God in their lives will be destroyed. They will face the final Judgment of a Holy and righteous God.<br /><br />In our final verse, verse 28, he makes a marvelous discovery; he is divinely illuminated. After such a tirade against the ungodly of this world, and after considering God’s hand in his own life Asaph has a personal revelation. He finally understands that his focus should not have been on the evil of this world. Instead, he needed to stop and look at everything God has already done for him, and to begin seeing what God does for us every day that we are alive.<br /><br />Once he was able to shift his view from the ‘successful sinners’ of this world and refocus on the daily goodness of God in our lives his entire outlook changed. And with this new outlook he was able to give to each of us this single rule for life: “But <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it is</span> good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”<br /><br />Draw near to God, trust Him and share Him with others. God is good…all the time.Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-32648820731705399032021-03-11T15:23:00.004-05:002021-03-24T22:05:56.897-04:00Racial Pride<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Racial Pride<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> It
is amazing to me that there is so much emphasis on pride when it comes to race
in a society that says it is against racism. If we are not to be prideful about
our race, then shouldn’t we just be silent about our race? But the underlying issues
go much deeper than pride or silence.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> I
would appreciate you thinking for just a moment. Really, I want you to honestly
think about my next question. When, at what specific point in time, did you
decide the year of your birth? I don’t ask that in order to be comedic. It is an
honest question. When did you decide which era to be born in? Was the 20<sup>th</sup>
or 21<sup>st</sup> century your first
choice? There really are a lot of conveniences that come with this era. I mean
really, if you had decided on 317a.d. you wouldn’t have had an XBOX not to
mention the total lack of espresso. Now had you decided on 1427a.d. there would
have been some conveniences over 317a.d. but still it would not have been the
modern society we have today. So, you made a good choice. You decided to be
born in the late 1900’s to early 2000’s. Right?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> Ok,
well maybe not. But you did decide to be born into a wealthy family of British
royalty. Not British? OK, maybe you chose to be the child of an American icon.
At least you didn’t choose poverty. Right?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> Possibly some of those options
were not available to you. However, since there is so much pride in race we can
certainly understand you choice of continents. The Asian continent is certainly
a better choice than the Artic. And if not there then you would certainly have
chosen the European over the South American. Right?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> Is
this stupid enough yet? Prior to your birth you had no choices at all. You did
not choose to be born in any era. You could have been born in 317a.d. just as
easily as 2067a.d. And you could have been born in poverty as easily as in royalty.
You had no choices. You could have been born an Eskimo, a Russian, a Pigmy, or
even a giant brother to Goliath. All choices were completely out of your control.
You came into awareness after you were born and simply realized, “Wow, I live
here with these people. And I am going to have to deal with it.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> If
you do not believe in God, then it was all random chance, and you have nothing
to be proud of. If you, as I do, believe in God then there was a real divine
purpose every step of the way. But again, my pride is replaced with His
purpose. I have nothing I can be prideful about concerning my birth. Either it
was random chance or it was Divine design. Either way pride goes out the
window.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> We
are all people created by God. We can take no credit for our existence in time,
location or status. God decided where we would be born, when we would be born
and in what circumstance we would enter this life. God created people. Is He partial
to any one skin tone more than another? Does He love one class of society more?
God is the redeemer of all. And all come to Him for grace and redemption
regardless of status or race. When the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:13 “<span lang="X-NONE">For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved</span>” there were no exceptions or
stipulations. He meant “whosoever.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> No
matter you status in society or your national heritage, God loves you and wants
to save you. You do not have to spend eternity in hell. Unlike your choice of
skin color, your eternity is your choice. God is calling out to save you, BUT
THAT CHOICE IS YOURS.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-89451930499723406522021-02-28T10:48:00.001-05:002021-02-28T11:00:32.477-05:00From the Kinder Side<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">From the Kinder Side</span></b></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> Christians do not hate homosexuals or anyone practicing any other lifestyle variant from the Biblical heterosexual standard. All forms of sin are simply, sin. One is not necessarily worse than another before God. Although, for humanity, certain types of sin can be far more damaging to society than others. And so, there may be louder outcries against child pornography, homosexuality, and murder than one may see against lying, cheating or stealing. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> True Christians love all people regardless of the sin they are currently controlled by. But that does not mean we condone their sin or accept it in society as normal. God does not hate any of us. However, His requirement for all of us, Jeffrey Dahmer, Adolph Hitler and your next-door neighbor is the same; repent. Jesus’ plea goes out equally to all (Luke 13:3), “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. ” Notice he does not say join hands and love each other regardless of sin. Instead, Jesus says to repent. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> Repentance is the sticking point for all who are living in sin today regardless of which sin it is. We do not want to be told we are living wrong. We hate the idea of having to change something which, at the moment, we think we are enjoying. We all want heaven, but most are not willing to give up their particular sin. However, that is what Jesus said we must do. Repent means to turn away from one thing or direction and go the other way. Admit the one is wrong and choose that which is right. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> A Biblically sound Christian will not hate, even what most of society would call, the vilest person. We will hate the sin they are engaged in and will do all we can to encourage change. However, while hating their sin, we will love them as Christ loves them. Christians understand their plight because we are all sinners as well. God has forgiven our sin and has given us to ability to be freed from the control of sin. Sin is no longer a welcome companion in our lives even though we still fight against it (Romans 7:7-25) every day. We have chosen to fight against sin rather than embracing it (repentance). </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> Jesus’ also stated in Mark 1:15 not only to repent, which is turning from one thing, but here he includes “believe the gospel” which is turning to another. Repent of sin and believe the gospel. That seems so very simple. But the gospel is contrary to basic human nature. In our nature there is a fundamental understanding that if we attain something it is because we have earned it by one means or another. In other words, nothing is free. Homosexuals, murderers, drunkards, abortionists and liars can be brought into God’s family and granted eternity in heaven….free. It is not a lifelong effort of achievements on our part, it is repentance and belief, turning from one to the other. God loves you and wants to save you.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> Would like to be saved today? You can be. For more information please read: How to be born again: https://christxalted.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-be-born-again.html </div></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-5961298232248154292021-01-25T22:05:00.003-05:002021-01-25T22:05:29.153-05:00DO YOU BECOME WEARY?<p>DO YOU BECOME WEARY?</p><div class="MsoNormal">I would never describe myself as depressed or melancholy. I am not the sort to sit and brood upon days that have now slipped into the past. I learned many years ago that as soon as one second of time slips by I cannot ever change its content. And so, I seldom concern myself with yesterday. But, even I can be slapped in the face when great compilations of failure and nonproductive years amass before my consciousness.<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had one of those moments recently. I say moments because I do not allow them to remain. However, the thoughts I had that day caused me to rethink my daily activities. And in that respect negative thinking can be positive.<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As I sat at my table with breakfast and coffee I broke down in great tears of remorse. I am not being melodramatic. I am very serious. You see, each of us knows ourselves better than anyone else. And I know at least some of what God could have done with my life. And as I sat here I made the mistake of reflecting. I saw the multitude of years wasted. I saw great destruction and devastation of years that should have, and could have, been used for so much more. Years of time, not days or weeks but years completely void of service. I sat for some time in tears of remorse and brokenness. I asked myself if there really was any purpose to continuing into the last years of life with so much failure in my past. No, I was not suicidal. My question was simply “do I just grab a bench on the sideline of life and wait for the end?”<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Many Bible characters came to mind quickly, men and women that God used later in life. And many others whose great contribution to the plan of God for this world was simply a single act in a single moment of time. I began to be encouraged when I remembered that tomorrow could be the best day of my life and my greatest service to God. Maybe I did mess up the first 40 years of my Christian life, but that doesn't mean today can't be great. I reminded myself of a phrase I coined many years ago, “Never allow failure to defeat you.” Failure only wins when we finally give up. And as I sat here feeling sorry for myself the question came to mind, “do you still have breath?” <br /><br />Psalm 150 says, “<i>Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbral and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” </i><br /><br />If I am alive and still breathing I can praise Him in song and testimony everywhere I go and in every conversation I have. Is that a “small” thing? The final Psalm was dedicated to this one thought, that we praise God. I can't believe it is only a “small” thing. When God gives this much time to conveying one thought it must be a very great thing. I still have breath. With all of my tomorrows I will do this one great thing, I will praise the Lord and I will not allow yesterday to steal even one more of my tomorrows.<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">God gave you breath...Praise ye the Lord.</div><div><br /></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-35036005787512883952021-01-05T17:07:00.001-05:002021-01-07T08:03:05.266-05:00THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC OPINION <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC OPINION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">I was told, indirectly, I am not a loving person because I
said that homosexual relationships are sexual perversions. </span></p><div><o:p><div style="text-align: left;">If one believes that there is a God and that He will judge
sin, what should one’s response be? Should we not make every effort to help
people find a right relationship with God? And does that not mean they must
come to a proper understanding of sin so that they actually can repent (Luke
13:5; IICor. 7:10) and begin to build that proper relationship?</div></o:p> <o:p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: left;">The problem I am seeing is one of reluctance to stand for
righteousness. If all we have for a foundation is public opinion then I must
concede the issue and agree with those standing in favor of….well, whatever
they happen to be standing in favor of at the moment. Because you see, if all
we have as a standard is public opinion it will shift with the wind. Today
homosexuality is wonderful. When I was young it was understood to be sexual
perversion. Today bestiality is considered sexual perversion, but for how long?
Today child molesting is considered to be wrong, but for how long? Today
pornography is (generally) considered to be improper behavior, but for how much
longer? The list is endless. It is endless because there is no standard of
right or wrong behavior. All of these can and will change just as soon as
public opinion shifts. When society is properly corrupted all of these and many
others just as vile will be acceptable.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: left;">When we come to understand that there is a God and that He
will judge in accordance with His Holy Word then the standards change. We call
drunkenness wrong because the Bible does (Eph. 5:18). We call harming a child
in any sense wrong because the Bible does (Luke 17:2). The emphasis that the
Bible puts on sexual sin is strong and extensive. I can provide a study on it
if anyone actually cares to read it. The point though is simple. We stand
against all of these because the Bible does and because the end result is
eternity in a very literal Hell.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: left;">Am I more loving if I passively stand aside and smile at you
as you slip into Hell for eternity? Or, is my love and compassion better
expressed by screaming at you and standing in your way in an attempt to keep
you from being cast into the pits of Hell for all of eternity? The letter that
Jude wrote expresses it this way in verses 22 and 23, “And of some have
compassion, making a difference: (v.23) And others save with fear, pulling <i>them</i>
out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” How cruel is
the person who would speak soft and gentle words of encouragement and
acceptance to someone who is about to stand in the presence of Almighty God to
face judgment knowing, that person is currently living in open rebellion to
God’s righteousness clearly expressed in His eternal Word? Am I not the most
heinous of individuals if, in an attempt to retain their friendship, I
passively stand aside and smile when I could have done something to prevent
their suffering? LOVE will step in and come to one’s aid even if it is
currently uncomfortable to do so. What should we call that which allows
suffering in an effort to prevent friction in a relationship? It certainly isn’t
love.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: left;">Because I do sincerely love people who are drunkards, liars,
thieves, homosexuals, and otherwise generally self-absorbed people living in
open opposition to the righteousness of God, I choose to stand in their way.
Love compels me to do so. And by the grace of God and with the Word of God I
will stop some, and turn them to the love and grace of our God expressed by the
sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on Calvary for the redemption of their very
souls. </div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div>
Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-70065794694141867482020-12-20T07:15:00.005-05:002020-12-20T22:23:40.779-05:00MARY NEEDED SALVATION TOO<p><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">MARY NEEDED SALVATION TOO</span></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mary’s immaculate conception is completely unsupported by the Bible. The only two verses I am aware of from which all of Mary-ology is taught comes from Gen. 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” and Luke 1:28 “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This teaching of Mary being without original sin and living a sinless life comes solely from what I refer to as extreme extrapolation. Extreme extrapolation (my version at least) is the idea of taking one word or phrase and giving it an idea or concept that is not intended and then extrapolating on that idea which you generated and making it something unrelated to its original meaning. And then compounding those errors over and over until you create the idea that (for our example) Mary is enthroned in heaven as its queen all because Luke said she was ‘highly favored’ (or full of grace).</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Look again at these two verses. Genesis 3:15 simply tells us that God would put “enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed.” He would put a barrier of hatred or contention between Satan and Eve's seed that would continue until Eve’s seed (Jesus) would finally defeat Satan and his minions. Mary is never in view here at all no matter how one might strain to make it so. And in Luke 1:28 all that is said is that she was blessed by God more than any other woman. Without doubt God was extremely gracious to her by allowing her to carry His only Son. No woman has ever been so blessed. But to use this single verse to create a demigod of Mary is in itself ungodly.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Catholic Church teaches that Adam and Eve were both created without original sin. Adam and Eve fell from grace, and through them mankind continues to sin. Then they go on to say that Christ and Mary were also conceived without original sin (Immaculate Conception). But they remained faithful, and through them mankind was redeemed from sin. Christ is thus the New Adam, and Mary the New Eve (emphasis mine). This is the result of the ‘extreme extrapolation’ of Luke 1:28 as noted above. Mary is never said to be without sin at any time in any Biblical reference, although Jesus is. Continuing this extrapolation forces them to eventually make Mary the cause of salvation.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Catechism notes: (catechism 494) . . . “As St. Irenaeus says, ‘Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.’ Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert: ‘The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.’ Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary ‘the Mother of the living’ and frequently claim: ‘Death through Eve, life through Mary.’”</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">But this flies in the face of New Testament theology. So many statements like these sound wonderful and filled with deep wisdom. Unfortunately, they are Biblically incorrect and nowhere remotely alluded to anywhere in Scripture. The teaching of original sin lies at Adam’s door not Eve’s. They teach that Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary’s faith. But that is nowhere to be found in the Bible.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Look at this simple passage penned by the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 2:14, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” Eve was in transgression because she was tricked (deceived) but Adam chose to sin, he was not deceived. Whereas Eve’s transgression was falling to deception. Adam’s sin was an active choice of his free will. The result of which is expressed by the same Apostle in his letter to the Church at Rome in Romans 5:12,14, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world (not by Eve’s deception but Adam’s choice to sin) and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…. (v.14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, (not from Eve to Moses) even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression (not Eve’s), who is the figure of him that was to come.”</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">No such passages from God’s Word can be found to support this shameful doctrine of Mary having no original sin and living her life free of any sin. How Mary must grieve with every recitation of the Rosary as she hears “holy Mary, Mother of God.” She indeed carried the physical body of his flesh (protected from original sin by the Holy Spirit) until the day he was born. But she is not God’s Mother. She sinned as we do and she was born with original sin just as we are. And she has nothing to do with our salvation except that she too stood in need of salvation. If we have no sin then we have no need of a Savior but Mary expressed her own need of salvation “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” Luke 1:47.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mary needed to be saved, do you? If you have never been born again (John 3:3-6) you need to be. This Christmas may you receive the greatest gift of all.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You must admit that you too are a sinner, Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Understand there is a real payment because of that sin, Romans 6:23a "For the wages of sin is death…." Believe God loves you so much that He allowed Jesus to pay the price for your sin, Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." And then simply receive His gift of salvation, Romans 6:23b "…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." When we are truly sorry for sin (repent 2 Cor. 7:10) and receive the gift of God’s love he promises to save us, Rom 10:9-10, 13 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (v.13) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Right now from your heart pray this prayer or at least something like this: God I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin. And, right now, I ask Jesus to come into my heart to take control of my life and forgive me of my sin. I believe Jesus’ sacrifice was enough and that God accepted it and raised him from the dead. Thank you for saving my soul, amen.</div></div><b></b>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-27673621499906687362020-12-14T08:30:00.004-05:002020-12-14T08:30:56.683-05:00 And Mary was Silent <p><br /></p><br /><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">We face hardships in life. So often it is difficult to understand why we go through so many struggles. Yet, the Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God….” I think I would have to agree with the Apostle Paul on this one. I know what I am supposed to do. But so often the struggle is greater than my ability, or it seems to be. Paul said in Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Like Paul, I know what I am supposed to do. I know how I am supposed to respond in given circumstances but all too often my old nature gets in the way and I just can’t seem to do the right thing. I can’t stand silently by and let God be God. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"> Mary was truly blessed by God. More than any other person in all of history. She was certainly not the Mother of God. But she was the mother of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah of Israel and the Lamb of God. She would give birth to the physical child who would become the sacrifice for our sin and in whom all the fullness of God would dwell. What a joy it must have been to watch him grow. Every day he was learning as others learned, and as Mary must have watched and wondered. He must have played as others played, and Mary must have watched and wondered. And yet she knew he was God’s son. </span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"> Did she see him as he was, the Son of God? The angels told her he would be the Son of God, Luke 1:30-33 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” But when did she realize the magnitude of that message? When she held him in her arms as an infant was he just like any other child? When she put him to bed at night and kissed his forehead was her attachment the same as any other Mother? </span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"> Regardless of when she finally understood her profound gift from God she still formed attachments. Like any mother she would form a maternal bond that would become inseparable. She would still be worried when he seemed to be lost or missing. When Jesus taught in the temple Mary became very worried because she had no idea where he had gone, Luke 2:48 “And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” And I imagine this was only one of several similar situations throughout his life at home. Mary loved Jesus as her son. She was attached as any good mother would be. He was her son.</span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">She must have been so very proud of him when he began preaching. People came from all over to hear him. Multitudes would gather and often follow him over the countryside just to hear him preach. So, when his popularity finally caused the religious leaders to become angry and vengeful, Mary would surely begin to fear for his safety. Could any of us have done what Mary did the day Jesus was taken?</span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Mary was in the crowd. Remember as Jesus hung on the cross we read in Joh 19:26-27 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother….” Mary was silent. She was SILENT, as she saw her son being tortured. She saw the crown of thorns pressed onto his brow. She saw the nails driven into his wrists and feet. How did she remain silent? How did she not cry out for justice? How did she not plead for mercy? Her son hung on a roughhewn wooden cross right in front of her beaten, torn and mangled beyond recognition. And, Mary remained silent! </span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">I can only imagine that by this time she had come to understand what the Psalmist meant when he wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God….” She knew that even now, even in these circumstances God was in control. I am sure her heart still broke and the tears still flowed. But she knew God had a plan no matter how bleak her world may have looked.</span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Can we have that same confidence in sorrow? Mary had special circumstances to say the least. But, she was still human and still a mother. Mary trusted God. And that is something we can still do today. God proved His faithfulness to Mary over the 33 years she shared with Jesus. But, we have had thousands of years of history that prove over and over again, God is faithful, that He will never leave us nor forsake us.</span><br /><span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">In her deepest distress and darkest hour Mary remained silent and trusted God. </span><br /><br /><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span face=""helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Can we remain silent and trust God for our trials?</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><br /></div><br />Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-82073832711572853342020-09-28T10:23:00.000-04:002020-09-28T10:23:07.289-04:00<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A FRACTURED WORLD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b>Troubles come and troubles go. Really? It seems me more like,
troubles come and keep coming. I love it when people tell me I am not alone. It
sure feels like it. And how comforting do they think it is just to know that
everyone else is suffering too? To me, we sometimes have a skewed view of the world
we live in. We look at New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, et. al. and think
how much hatred resides in those towns. We see the murder rate in various areas
of the world and are often taken back by the overwhelming numbers. Divorce is
at or above 50% even in Christian homes. People are born with diseases and
physical abnormalities that leave them all but helpless if not for the care of
others. And poverty. People walking the streets without homes, many void of
contact with their own families as a result. It is a fractured world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you say, “I live in Pennsboro, WV and we do not have those
issues here.” Here they are not on the nightly news. Here they are not paraded
before us every evening in the hope of making profit from the headlines. But
they are here. They hide behind closed doors. Most often they are not out in the open. Walk
down any street in any town and you will find despair shrouded by a false
smile. Houses with wheelchair ramps are common. You will see children in the
care of single parents. You will see, even in the houses of worship, poverty so
overwhelming it crushes the impoverished worshipper as he stands beside those
who have plenty. Hatred lives here too, but it is more carefully covered up by
silence, fence lines and exclusive social activities. Even in our town, we must
admit it is a fractured world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look at the difficulties, we face every day, we
simply must put them in perspective or completely fall apart. “I am not alone,”
actually can be a comfort, even if ever so slight. Take the difficulty most
recent in your own life for an example. Regardless of what it was (or is) something
very much like it was experienced by someone else today, and yesterday, ad infinitum.
As Solomon said, <b><span lang="X-NONE">Ecclesiastes</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span></b><b><span lang="X-NONE"> 1:9</span>-10</b><span lang="X-NONE"> </span>“<i><span lang="X-NONE">The thing that hath been, it is that which
shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no
new thing under the sun. </span>(v.</i><i><span lang="X-NONE">10</span>)</i><i><span lang="X-NONE"> Is there anything whereof it may be said,
See, this is new</span>..</i><span lang="X-NONE">.</span>?”<span lang="X-NONE"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am not saying that it is comforting to know that trouble
and sorrow come to all of us. But sometimes a better perspective can relieve at
least some of the distress we feel. Suffering is, and always has been,
universal; <b><span lang="X-NONE">Job 14:1</span>-2</b> “<i><span lang="X-NONE">Man that is born of a woman is of few days,
and full of trouble. </span>(v.</i><i><span lang="X-NONE">2</span>)</i><i><span lang="X-NONE"> He
cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and
continueth not.</span>”</i> In the very first family on earth, there was
trouble. Two parents (the only two) had the crushing reality that one of their
own sons was a murderer. How can a parent deal with that level of trauma? How
do we get up in the morning and face the next day knowing that one of our own
sons murdered his brother? Trauma, literally, comes to all of us because…it is
a fractured world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we consider the issues we face today, perspective can
help. Prayer, the reading of God’s Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, yes; but
also, perspective. Where am in I in the Lord today? Am I walking close to God
this morning? Being a child of God does not eliminate trials and troubles (look
at king David). But it can help us to keep trouble from destroying us. Knowing
that the troubles I see are evidence that God loves me, even in my trials, can
bring comfort. And they are proof Jesus had to die in my place because I can certainly
never earn salvation, as evidenced by my own broken life. My troubles and trials
prove I could never be worthy of His great love.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God came to redeem a fallen world, a world destroyed by sin.
It is that world we see every day, and that we experience in our own homes as
well. He would not have died to redeem us if we could have done something to redeem
ourselves. Every pain, every heartache, every injustice we see is evidence of
the great and overwhelming love of God (John 3:16), because he came to save
even those who caused the pain, the heartache and the injustices we see every
day. God loves, and died to redeem, those who are fallen…US, you and me. When
we see the fractured lives of others, remember they see our fractured lives as
well. Look at the trouble in our lives and remember, “<i>God </i><i><span lang="X-NONE">commendeth</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span></i>(or proved)<i><span lang="X-NONE"> his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us</span></i>” <b>Romans 5:8</b>. While we were sinning, while we were actively rebelling
against Him, He died to redeem us. The troubles we see in life should be a
constant reminder of this amazing love.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a fractured world. It will always be full of trouble.
But when Jesus saved us He also made a great promise to those who would receive
the salvation he offers: <span lang="X-NONE">J<b>oh</b></span><b>n<span lang="X-NONE"> 14:1</span>-3</b> “<i><span lang="X-NONE">Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in me. </span>(V.</i><i><span lang="X-NONE">2</span>)</i><i><span lang="X-NONE"> In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. </span>(v.3)</i><i> <span lang="X-NONE">And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also.</span></i>” When you see troubles in your life and
all the fractured lives around you, try to also see the redeeming love of God
reaching out to each one of them. It is a fractured world that Jesus came to
save.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-2561783949388463502020-03-21T11:30:00.002-04:002020-03-21T11:30:33.371-04:00DO YOU FEAR GOD?<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">DO YOU FEAR GOD?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Christians” find excuses to worship outside of the Church, live
in adultery year after year, they go to bars and drunken parties, support the
murder of innocent children in the womb, laugh at ungodly humor so they don’t “stand
out” and even support sexual abomination like homosexuality (which before long
will include bestiality and child abuse like “man-boy-love”). Our refusal to
obey God is a real concern. Christians today have no fear of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don’t fear God. There is more concern for being
politically correct or losing current friendships and relationships than there
is of opposing the sovereign God of this universe. Those calling themselves “Christian”
must begin to ask, “Am I saved?” Paul said in <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Co</span>rinthians<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 13:5 </span>“<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Examine yourselves, whether ye be
in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?</span></i>” When fear of standing
out or not being politically correct or even losing a relationship or a longtime
friendship causes us to continue in sin, then God has become 2<sup>nd</sup>
place. That position in society, or relationship/friendship, has become more
important than our relationship with God. In which case we must again ask, “Am
I saved?” Or, am I living in false hope?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Mar</span>k<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 12:29</span>-30<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>“<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And Jesus answered him, The first
of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: </span>(v.30)
</i><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">.</span>” Jesus made it very clear
our first priority in this life is our love of God. That would clearly entail
compliance with His laws in our daily lives. If we love God, we obey God. Loving
others, which is the second, would never necessitate openly rebelling against
God’s commands. Loving others would mean warning them of God’s divine judgment,
not allowing them to face eternity in hell so that we can maintain a peaceful
relationship with them today. Living in sin with them here, today, helps to
secure their eternal condemnation and places us in a continuous state of
disobedience with God. Can we knowingly disobey God without any real fear, if we
are saved? Paul’s statement above (II Cor. 13:5) suggests that it is more
likely that we have never truly been born again. When we truly get saved, we
depart from sin. Jesus said in <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Luk</span>e<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 13:3 </span>“<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">I tell you, Nay: but, except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish.</span>” We make a conscious effort to
stop sinning when Jesus lives within us, <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Eph</span>esians<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
2:10 </span>“<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">.</span>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is no example of Jesus Christ living within us (“..how
that Jesus Christ is in you…”) then Paul is saying we are likely still reprobate.
Does sin offend you? Sin is the very cause of God having to allow His Son Jesus
Christ to suffer and die on the cross, to be separated from God during that
moment (“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”) so that he could redeem
us. How horrible must sin be? Yet, to retain popularity, friendship/relationships
many calling themselves Christian willing live in sin with no real fear of God.
Does sin offend you? Do you fear God?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus said that at the final judgment, “<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity</span></i>.”
(<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Mat</span>thew<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 7:</span>22-<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">23</span>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-71841265926893378042020-01-28T09:30:00.003-05:002020-01-28T09:30:25.536-05:00WE WONDER<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WE WONDER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Is pedophilia wrong? Isn’t it just
an alternate lifestyle? Is man-boy-love wrong? Isn’t it just a matter of
personal choice? Certainly, homosexuality can’t be wrong for two consenting adults.
Men having relationships with adolescent girls, with or without their consent
(common in some countries today), isn’t wrong, is it? What about abortion? And
myriad other issues? All of these come to light in our society and demand answers.
Shouldn’t there be more laws against each of these? Some say, “Yes, but not
this one.” Others stand up and say, “No, because they are all matters of
personal choice.” We have nations today in which, at least some part of society,
accepts the abuse of female children as acceptable. Parts of our own society, here
in the states, are beginning to accept all these immoral behaviors as well. Some
claim we need more laws. But, isn’t the real problem an intolerant “moral”
mainstream society? Shouldn’t the Moral Majority just shut up and sit down?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Questions like these must be answered.
But where do we find the answers? What is right and what is wrong? Anything we
conclude to be true or false, right or wrong or good or bad must have a basis
of truth; something upon which it finds resolution. If you say trees are green,
we find it to be true in common observation and we can confirm it in elementary
science books. If I say light travels at approximately 186,000 miles per second,
I can prove it to you in basic scientific literature. We have a basis of truth
from which we can confirm or refute the simpler concepts of nature. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
But what is our basis of truth for
morality? If I say pedophilia is wrong and you say it is acceptable, who is
right? When I was a youth it was commonly accepted that pedophilia and man-boy-love
were evil and wicked. Today they are becoming more widely accepted as personal
choice. In those days, homosexuals hid in the closet because most people still
understood it was a wrong lifestyle. So, what has changed? The basis of truth has
changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Today we have come to the place in
society that anything can become right or wrong simply based upon its public
acceptance. Today, when society (as a whole) accepts one behavior or another, the
rest of us are expected to be silent, sit down and passively accept the “tolerance”
of the current sentiment. Yet, some things seem to be natural. Even the Apostle
Paul in one argument called upon nature as a source of truth. In I Corinthians 11:14
we read, “<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Doth not <u>even nature
itself</u> teach you</span>…?” There are some things which nature has set in
place. Our genetic code is one example. Throughout the entire list of lifeforms
in the animal and human kingdoms we see two sexes. Genetically there are only
two. You have this genetic code or the other. Scientifically, without appealing
to the Word of God, we see only two sexes. So, why is society so willing to
accept the myriad aberrations presented to us today? What is the basis of truth
referenced by those who plead the case of such behavior? Public opinion has
become the basis of truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Public opinion as a source of truth
is fleeting, to say the least. 50 years ago, when I was child, all the issues we
have mentioned would be seen overwhelmingly as wrong. Just 50 years ago. Then public
opinion agreed that all the issues mentioned above were wrong behaviors. Yet
today, abortion and homosexuality are being exalted as normal and even
encouraged. Others from our list are beginning to accepted by some and may well
be seen as normal very soon. Why? Because public opinion varies with the corruption
of the public. Remember, some societies in the world today (not in the states,
yet) accept violation of women and female children as acceptable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We must have a more solid “basis of
truth” by which we can establish our laws. Morality is not a standard naturally
within man (Romans 3:10-12). Left to ourselves we will eventually succumb to
all the wickedness above, and more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The Bible is God’s standard of
truth for man. Using it as our guide we would love each other, respect our elders,
obey government, reject all forms of sexual perversion, there would be no dishonesty,
no coveting or stealing, and families would search diligently for ways to remain
together without divorce. Why? Because our “basis of truth” (the Bible) helps
us to understand that this is God’s plan. And even with our human frailty, God’s
plan is the best path for our families and for our society. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God’s plan is best when we worship
Him and apply His principles. Yet, His principles work to some degree in any
society even if they refuse to worship Him. They work best when God is
worshipped, <b><i>and</i></b> His principles are the “basis of truth” for every
decision made in the home and in society.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Still, our nation is bent on the removal
of God from society. We wonder what is wrong. We are baffled by the depravity
of current society. We have trouble understanding how our nation has become so
evil. We wonder… as we push the Bible and its God out of our homes and our
government… we wonder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-7002286870167169622020-01-16T07:46:00.003-05:002020-05-21T13:27:25.919-04:00The “sons of God” issue<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The “sons of God” issue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea that angels had sexual relations with humans is the
product of poor Biblical interpretation or a willful act of deception. On the
side of “poor Biblical interpretation” I would include those who are caught up
in the excitement of the moment and those unwittingly coerced by religious
charlatans. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before any discussion on the topic begins there must be a
thorough study on the text in question. However, invariably I find a shallow,
and even intentionally misleading, study. For example: one such study says,
“the phrase ‘sons of God’ is used 5 times in the Old Testament and every time
it means angels.” However, the only time it means angels, without debate, are
the 3 occasions it is found in Job when the angels are before God in heaven.
The other two times it is used are the times we are researching. So, these two
cannot be counted as proof since their definition is still in question and are
in fact “the question” we are trying to solve. One cannot say they mean “this”
when the meaning of “this” is what one is attempting to solve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, the angels gathering before God in Job are His
angels. Satan is also allowed to come but is referred to independently. The
fallen angels (demons) have been cast out a long time before this episode. And
so, in Job, the phrase “Sons of God” is used to clarify the distinction between
God’s angels and Satan. Satan had once been an angel as well, but here he is
not included in the phrase “Sons of God.” Those angels cast out of heaven long
before the events of Genesis chapter six occurred, have never enjoyed such
honorable titles as this one. To say that “Sons of God” refers to demons or
fallen angels, would be the greatest of errors. Can anyone really believe that
in Job 38:7 there was reference to fallen angels shouting for joy over God’s
creation? Before their fall they may have shouted for joy. But never after
their fall, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after their fall</i> is
where we find the phrase in question. The “Sons of God” does not ever refer to
demons or fallen angels. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And third, context often contains the answer to such
questions. So, let’s turn back to Genesis 4 where the lineage of Adam is shown.
Of course, this is where we find the story of Cain and Abel. After Abel is
slain and Cain is removed to the land of Nod, we are given some of his lineage
beginning in verse seventeen. (Please bear in mind that chapter and verse
divisions are not in the original text, this is actually a running commentary.)
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In chapter four and verse 25 we are told that Adam and Eve
bore another son, Seth. So, we are given the lineage of Cain (the one who was
cursed) and we are given the lineage of Seth who, as far as we know is not
cursed. Before this moment in time we had Adam and Eve worshipping God, Abel
offering a proper sacrifice to God as an example of that same worship, and Cain
with an evil murderous heart. As soon as Abel is killed, we are shown that
there was another born after Adam who would carry on in the same faith. And so,
we are then given his lineage in chapter 5. Why was the author giving us this
history? Chapter five (remember this is a flowing commentary, there is no
division between 5 and 6 just a continuous thought) ends with the introduction
of the family of Noah. The writer stopped there because he wanted to share the
story of the flood (6:8). But, how does one go from a simple lineage to a world-wide
flood? There must be an explanation before destroying the world. And so, in
Genesis 6:1-4 we are given a very brief explanation of events and then we go
straight into the consequence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A great deal, on the side of sensationalists, is made of the
term ‘Sethites.’ This is an argument which has no value. Simply stated Adam and
Eve were blessed of God. Cain fell away and was cursed after killing Abel who
would certainly have been the blessed side of the family. With Abel’s death
Seth was then brought into that side of the family simply to be the means by
which the Savior would come. Which is certainly why this list is present today.
Cain, and those who were with him, or of him, were cursed. Those who followed God
came from Adam, and in this case, Seth’s side of Adam since Abel no longer
existed here. Adam and Seth were followers of God as were at least some of those
in their family. Which is certainly why the author took time to list the family
tree before exposing the judgment. Seth’s lineage does not have to show
perfection in order to be the line to the Savior. In every generation there
only needs to be one person who qualifies as a predecessor. God was able to
preserve the line of Christ back to Eve through Seth. The vast majority of
mankind had become wretched and vile. Yet, God had a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>remnant even here…even if it was only one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Genesis 6 tells about the degradation of the hearts of men.
Shortly after the birth of Seth there were, undoubtedly, some good people in
the world. However, as time passed and civilization grew so did the wickedness
of man. Good men began believing it was acceptable to marry ungodly woman. The
results were precisely what God had always warned they would be. (The following
is from my “very personal” paraphrase.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 6:1 Says, “when people began to have babies”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 6:2 Says, “godly men began checking out ungodly women and
marrying them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 6:3 Says, “God will not always deal patiently with man, but will
cut their life spans down to<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
almost 1/10<sup>th</sup> of what is was before because
of their sinful hearts” (this is confirmed with “he <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
also is flesh” and the fact of the severe nature of
the judgment.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Genesis 6:4 Says, “Back then, when the godly and ungodly were marrying,
giants were common in the <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">land, there were very strong men and men of great
reputation also in the land” </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In verse two there is absolutely no reason at all to leave
the natural intent of the verse. We have been discussing natural, sinful,
people and their lineage in chapters four and five and are about to see God’s
judgment come upon these natural humans in the next verse while continuing a
discussion on men and their sinful hearts. To suddenly mention angels
(especially by attributing this Godly title to fallen angels) and then switch
immediately back to humans is a distortion of the text. It is done without
warning, without the use of commonly accepted terms (like “angels” or “demons”)
and without any explanation of why it was stated and then abandoned. God is
speaking about wicked men continuously in this text.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the term ‘giants’ is the term of concern, then let me
assure you they have always existed. Nephelim is only used 3 times; once in Genesis
6:4 and twice in Numbers 13:33. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the
giants, the sons of Anak, <i>which come</i> of the giants: and we were in our
own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Deuteronomy 2:11 Which also were
accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was
accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites
call them Zamzummims;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of
Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead <i>was</i> a
bedstead of iron; <i>is</i> it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine
cubits <i>was</i> the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after
the cubit of a man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Deuteronomy 3:13 And the rest of Gilead,
and all Bashan, <i>being</i> the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of
Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land
of giants.</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span>(See also: <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2Samuel 21:16</span>; <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2Samuel 21:18</span>; <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2Samuel 2:20</span>; <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2</span>Samuel <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">21:22</span>; 1Chronicles <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">20:4</span>; 1Chronicles <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">20:6</span>; 1Chronicles <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">20:8</span>; <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Job 16:14</span>; Joshua <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">12:4</span>; Joshua<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">13:12</span></span>; Joshua<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">15:8</span></span>; Joshua<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">17:15</span></span>; Joshua<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE">18:16</span></span>.)<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The use of “Nephilim” in Genesis 6:4 may more likely be a reference to
the nature of mankind by the time of the flood. It does not always mean a really tall
person. Nephilim can also be a reference to evil, violent or cruel men. Strongs
Concordance defines it<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> as follows:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">nephı̂yl </span>or<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">nephil</span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">properly, <u>a <i>feller</i>, that is, a <i>bully</i>
or <i>tyrant: - </i>giant</u></span>. This translation would fit more properly
into the clear intent of the passage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are we as concerned for midgets, pygmies, or dwarfs? Why is
there no talk of what evil may have brought them into existence? What about a
host of other anomalies? They are not discussed because they could not have
been made into such a grand tale. The text! Go back to the text and read it
within the context and it simply says, <i>when godly people married ungodly
people sin began to fester and grow until God had to bring it to an end</i>.
Bad sin, real evil, the product of men turning their backs on God collectively,
was so terrible that it produced what is only encapsulated in verse 4-5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the angelic-spawn debate, nothing beyond this verse
matters!!! All the other “proof” texts fail to have importance because they
rest upon this one verse, a verse that cannot possibly support the premise. If
this did not happen then neither did any of the myriad tales that have been so
wantonly tied to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Gen</span>esis</b><b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 6:2</span></b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> That the sons of God </span><b>(<i>men
who were once godly</i>)</b> <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">saw
the daughters of men</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b>(<i>women who were
clearly ungodly</i>)</b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">
that they were fair</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b>(<i>very pretty</i>)</b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">; and they took them wives of all
which they chose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Gen</span>esis</b><b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 6:3</span></b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not
always strive with man, for that he also <i>is</i> flesh: yet his days shall be
an hundred and twenty years. </span><b>(<i>God’s declaration of judgment was
against <u>man</u> not <u>angels</u></i>.)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Gen</span>esis</b><b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 6:4</span></b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> There were giants</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b><i>(Nephilim: cruel, heartless, violent men)</i></b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> in the earth in those days; and
also after that, when the sons of God </span><b><i>(even though godly men, from the time of
Adam onward, fell to temptation)</i></b> <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">came in unto the daughters of men</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><b><i>(ungodly
women)</i></b><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">,</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> and they bare <i>children</i> to
them, the same <i>became</i> mighty men which <i>were</i> of old, men of
renown. </span><b><i>(The ungodly offspring became the leaders in both
politics and warfare.)</i></b><i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-72334578521834948542019-10-29T23:23:00.002-04:002019-10-31T22:51:07.757-04:00If We are Both Saved, Why the difference?<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If We are Both Saved, Why the difference?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Rom</span>ans</i><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 8:15</span>-17</i><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father. </span>(v.16) </i><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of
God: </span>(v.17) </i><i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And
if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. </span> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Some discussions have a way of
being repeated ad infinitum through the years. Topics which seems to have no
real resolution. Each person in a given discussion is some how able to support
his view as well as we support our view which appears to be diametrically
opposed to the other. Salvation is very much like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Myriad times, over the decades of
my life as a Christian, I have engaged fellow believers in discussions about
salvation. That is very common. And I am sure most of us have done the same.
The road becomes a bit rocky though when we attempt to define ‘Christian’ in
any concrete manner. Do Christians lie? Do Christians steal? Are Christians
ever hateful? Parameters. We all want to set parameters. Because parameters
help us to make concrete statements and definitions. We can define a Christian
if we can decide on each of the defining parameters that make up the perfect
Christian. Sadly, there is no such thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In many of the discussions I have
been engaged in I have found it necessary to destroy parameters. The Law was a
mega parameter. It was never intended to be one but religious society grabbed
onto it almost as soon as it came down from the mountain with Moses. We want
concrete barriers, laws, dictates that work like street signs for us, a list of
all the daily mandates so that we can know, at the close of our day, we
measured up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Read the passage above again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have not received that old spirit which bound
us by laws. When we got saved, when we realized our need of salvation and our
utter incapability of acquiring salvation without Christ, he saved us by grace.
He did not hand us a new law, no list of requirements to meet before salvation
could be earned. Instead (v.15) we were given the Holy Spirit which placed us
in the family of God by adoption. Did you ever see a baby earn adoption? Have
you ever known a baby (properly adopted) who was given a list of things he must
do in order to earn a true place in the family? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Our adoption goes one step further.
Our Heavenly Father, by His Holy Spirit actually indwells us, He lives in us.
We are His immediately and eternally. The Holy Spirit is our very proof of
salvation (v.16) if we ever do doubt. This is what defines the Christian in that
“concrete manner” we so often need. When doubt arises, we do not count our ‘good
deeds’ and hope they are enough. We have the Holy Spirit of God within us
reminding us that we are God’s family. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I believe this is what Paul had in
mind when he said in <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">2Co</span>rinthians<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 13:5 </span>“<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Examine yourselves, whether ye be
in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?</span>” Examine yourselves to
see if “Christ is in you.” In our passage above (v.16) the Spirit of God
reassures the believer he is God’s child. God did not leave it up to a list of
our good deeds. He placed His Spirit within us to give us daily assurance in a
fallen world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
But look how far that assurance
goes. Not only does He remind us of our status as children of God, but (v.17)
we are assured that we are joint heirs with Christ as well. When Christ is glorified,
we will be glorified with him. This is what stops us from sinning. This is our
parameter. This is our concrete barrier against sin. When a true child of God
sins (and we all do) we are brought back by the Holy Spirit’s reminder of whose
we are. He reminds us who our father is. He makes real to us the offence our
sin is to our Holy Father, the shame it brings to Him and the violence it does to
our witness in this fallen world. We do not keep a new law of do’s and don’ts. We
live in a new relationship with God where our behavior affects our relationship
with God. We are His children (Hebrew 12:5-12). When children sin they still
belong to their parents, but the relationship is strained and often the parent
must punish the child. But they always remain family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This is what I believe to be the
difference discussed in our opening paragraphs; those times when I have engaged
fellow believers in discussions about salvation and how one person could sin so
much easier than another. And how we just could not agree on why so many
professing believers could seem to live in sin and others, though they did sin,
abhorred it and repented more quickly. I think the difference was this. In a
false profession the Holy Spirit of God never indwells the unrepented heart.
That individual is left to follow the law and live in bondage (v.15) and fear
and never truly become a child of God. They are religious but lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God truly wants to bring us into His
family, to make us His children and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. And when we
truly do become His children His Holy Spirit is an ever-present reality in our
daily lives. It is no longer a matter of keeping stringent rules and laws. We
are brought into a loving family. It is our daily existence. It is our new
life. Why do I serve God? Because serving God is the natural course of my new life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does your life belong to God? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-61675519651188427042019-10-09T11:00:00.004-04:002019-10-10T06:11:19.937-04:00A Sound-Bite World<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A Sound-Bite World</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wow, we sure are busy. Have you taken time to notice how
fast life passes by? Twenty-four hours seem to slip past in mere minutes. By
the time we have had our morning coffee (as normal people do) the day has given
way to the noon time sun. The end of the week is upon us just as Monday
evening, with all of its hectic high paced chaotic bewilderment, slams the door
and opens into Thursday. And June becomes October with little remembrance of
the summer activities. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, we are so fast paced that we do not take time to
think. We do not want to think. Our evening news (which I actually refuse to
watch these days) consists or snippets of events condensed in a way that the
public can tolerate. Because the general population does not slow down long
enough to listen to anything that requires more than 45 seconds of concentration.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ours is a sound bite world. Speaking with our son recently
he reminded me that today, people simply do not pick up a book for the purpose
of learning. We have at our fingertips (literally, with phones and iPads) whole
libraries of great literature and we refuse to learn. Our communication with
others is not a complex lengthy discussion of matters concerning God and
mankind or difficulties facing our communities and how we can make a
difference. We do not converse with others on intellectual levels built by
years of educational prowess. Instead, we send 127-character messages,
misspelled and poorly constructed and believe we have communicated. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Our communication with God is no different. Our hurried days
filled with simplistic blurbs thrown from one communication device to another,
which we have the audacity to call communication, are perfect examples of our
time spent with God. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A library of 66 divine books is bound and sitting on our end
table or nightstand, untouched, unruffled and very carefully preserved from
wear…the Bible. We simply do not touch it. It takes too long to actually read
the Word of God for understanding. We may quickly read a 47-word devotional
“about” the Word. And we may even include a single verse to highlight the
thought. But, we are too busy to truly study the Word; to spend time thinking
and meditating on its meaning. The same devices that allow us to communicate with
anyone in the world within seconds, also have the ability to provide us with an
in-depth study of any passage of God’s Word at any moment in time...but we have
no time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And that same expedited nature carries over into our worship
services as well. Make it fast. Make it simple. Keep it moving. Don’t focus too
long on one thing. Start here…quickly move to next event…stop…go home. What
about worship? What about hearing a message from God? What about meditating on
His Word so that it changes our lives? </div>
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<br /></div>
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We have allowed society to make God inconvenient. Satan has
successfully moved us, the Church, into a fast-paced routine that has no time
to study the Word, worship and serve God, or to be effective witnesses in this
world today…we are too busy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If I could make a simple suggestion to the Church today it
might be, “Put the phone down and turn it off. Move away from the computer/TV
and turn it off. Sit quietly for an extended period of time with God’s Word,
and studies concerning God’s Word, open in your hands and read with the intent
to hear.” Slow down in this fast paced world. Give God time. </div>
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Jesus will do one thing quickly, <b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">1Co</span>rinthians</b><b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 15:52</span></b><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>“<i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">.</span>” Will you be ready or will you be too busy to even notice?</div>
Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-37619131979885125582019-09-10T23:15:00.001-04:002019-09-10T23:15:51.673-04:00How can we ever expect God to answer prayer?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link Error"/>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How can we ever expect
God to answer prayer?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is God hearing your prayers? You say you are a believer,
that you have been saved and born again. Still, your prayers seem to bounce off
the ceiling and return like echoes from a cave. The Psalmist said if we allow
sin to continue in our heart without repenting, or turning away from it, we
will not be heard, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalm 66:18</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">me…</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.” </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">On the other
hand, he also assures us that when we turn away from sin God comes near and
listens once again, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(v.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">19</span>)<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> verily God hath heard <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">me;</span> he hath attended to the voice of
my prayer.</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">”</span>
If God has made no change in us, if we have not repented of sin, then how can
we ever expect God to answer prayer? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am often mystified by who would dare calls themselves
Christian. Christian means Christ like. In <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Corinthians</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 5:17</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
the Apostle Paul wrote, </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Therefore if any man <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">be</span> in Christ, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">he is</span> a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.</span></i>”<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>And then in <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2Co</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">rinthians </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">13:5</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
he recommends a serious self-examine,</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the
faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">?”</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span>Where is
the change, the repentance, the turning away from sin? Look into your own
heart, “examine yourselves” by a comparison with Biblical teaching. Are you
attending church? Are you studying the Word? Are you living as an example to
the lost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That last one especially,
“living as an example.” This includes the person you live with now; wife,
husband, roommate or adulterous companion. Would that person continue living
with you if you tried to win them to Christ? Or, are you silent in order to
keep peace and not lose that relationship? Are you content to let that person
spend eternity in hell so that you can continue to live peacefully? In every
area of life, we are to be an example of the believer, never surrendering
godliness for the sake of harmony. Without living a godly testimony, how can we
ever expect God to answer prayer?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How is it that those calling themselves Christian continue
to live in open opposition to the God of this universe with no fear of God? Is
it some sort of dare? Is there a mental image of them shaking a fist in the
face of God declaring He cannot judge them, because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">30 years ago</i> they recited some sort of prayer? II Corinthians
6:14-18 lays out a very clear mandate to remain separate from those who are not
saved. We cannot work side by side with the lost in this life. We are not
headed the same direction. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Be ye not unequally yoked together
with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? </span>(v.15) a</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">nd what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? </span>(v.16) </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">And what agreement hath the temple
of God with idols? </span>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">or <u>ye are the temple of the
living God</u>; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">them;</span> and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people. </span>(v.17) </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Wherefore come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">thing;</span> and I will receive you, </span>(v.18)
and</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">.”</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span>For many
today, our best friends, those we spend our quality time with, our “love
interest” (a term used lightly here) or even the person we are shacking-up with,
are all lost. They are destined for an eternity in hell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and we say nothing</i>. We are afraid of destroying these
relationships. Yet, these people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would
leave us</i> today if we truly began to live for Christ. They only stay because
we compromise. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i> are not willing
to serve two masters either. They will not serve Satan and Jesus, <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mat</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">thew</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 6:24</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will
hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon</span></i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">.”</span> Yes, I said they serve
Satan. Jesus said to religious Jewish rulers of his day, <span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Joh</span>n<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> 8:43</span>-44<span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Why do ye not understand my speech? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">even</span> because ye cannot hear my word. </span>(v.44) </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Ye are of <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">your</span> father
the dev</span></u></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">il, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there
is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a
liar, and the father of it.</span>”</i><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span>Is it any wonder God’s ear is turned away from our prayer?
We pretend to be Christian while serving Satan with our silence against, and
compliance with, the sin of this world. We live every day knowingly sinning
against God. We do not separate from sin as commanded by God’s Word. We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choose</i> to disobey. Then, we dare to bow
at His Throne with our requests. How can we ever expect God to answer prayer?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine standing at the Great White Throne Judgment seeing
that special person you claim to care so much about. As that person approaches
(assuming you are saved) will he cry out in horror, his eyes fixed squarely
upon yours, “WHY DIDN’T YOU WARN ME? You said you loved me. You didn’t warn me!
Instead, you lived just like I did, in the same sin.” Will your response be, “I
didn’t want to cause anyone any discomfort? I didn’t want to rock-the-boat.” If
we allow those we “love” to face the terrors of an eternal hell, how can we
ever expect God to answer our prayers?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is the problem</i> one
of being so backslidden we don’t witness or live godly lives because we have
lost our zeal? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or, is it</i> that we have
lived a lie? You said a prayer many years ago but your heart was never changed,
you never actually repented and turned away from sin because you never saw sin
the way God does. You never saw sin through divine eyes. You never understood
that God MUST judge sin, even in you. With so many false professions of faith,
how can we ever expect God to answer prayer?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God does not take sin as lightly as so many of us do. He
will judge sin in us with eternal damnation. Or, if we receive Christ as Savior,
God will judge our sin in His own Son (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1Pe</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ter</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 2:24</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> Who his own self bare our sins in his
own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed). </span></i>But, when we ask
him to bare our sin for us, there should be evidence in our lives of that
salvation. As in I Peter 2:24 above, we are expected to “live unto
righteousness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must stop living in
sin. And start living for Christ. Then, we can humbly expect God to answer our prayers.</div>
Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306266094036265558.post-2690191760343284082019-06-05T15:56:00.005-04:002021-03-24T21:58:41.505-04:00God is Good all the Time
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God is Good all the Time</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Psalm 73:1, 22-28 </span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Psalm 73:1</span> “A<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Psalm of Asaph.</span> Truly God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> good to Israel, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">even</span> to such as are of a clean heart.”
<br /><br />
What a wonderful start to a Psalm, right? He says, God is
good to Israel and, in fact, He is good to all the righteous. One can almost
believe the author is about to ask the reader for a response. Today there is a
phrase that elicits this type of responsive participation. It begins with one
person saying, “God is good” and those hearing this universal truth respond
with, “All the time.” And it’s commonly repeated at least one more time.
Unfortunately, our author was not in quite so happy a mood. If you take the
time to read verses 2-21 it becomes clear that he was ranting against the
wicked and especially the wealthy wicked. He was frustrated that it seemed as
though they had it made in this world. They seemed to get away with all forms
of ungodliness and then were also able to live in the lap of luxury without a
care in this world.<br /><br />
Today, we say God is good. But do we really believe it? Or,
are we in lockstep with the Psalmist allowing doubts to arise in our hearts?
Wickedness prevails in this world today. It seems to be worse today than it has
ever been in any other time in history. Do you ever find yourself asking, “Where
is God?” Or even thinking about the ungodly wealthy as the psalmist did, “They <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> not in trouble <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">as other</span> men; neither are they
plagued like <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">other</span> men.” That
seems to be precisely what Asaph, the author of this psalm, has done. <br /><br />
At some point his heart catches up with his intellect. It is
then that this passage takes a very radical turn. I am wondering how many of us
need to have one more look around. How many need to re-evaluate what they
believe they are seeing? Listen now as the Psalmist reconsiders his own
statements. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
Psa 73:22 “So foolish <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> I, and ignorant: I was <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">as</span> a beast before thee. (v.23) Nevertheless
I <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">am</span> continually with thee:
thou hast holden <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">me</span> by my right
hand. (v.24) Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to</span> glory. (v.25) Whom have I in
heaven <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">but thee?</span> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">there is</span> none upon earth <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> I desire beside thee. (v.26) My
flesh and my heart faileth: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">but</span>
God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the strength of my
heart, and my portion for ever. (v.27) For, lo, they that are far from thee
shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. (v.28)
But <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it is</span> good for me to draw
near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy
works.” </div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div>
Now he truly hears his own complaints and in verse 22 is
honestly remorseful, (I paraphrase) “How could I have been so foolish and
ignorant: I was acting no wiser than a common animal.” It is with this very revelation
of his own foolishness that he unfolds before us some precious truths. In verse
23, he says that we are always with God. We have never been without the
presence of God. We do not know the awfulness of His absence. And He is holding
us in His kind and loving right hand. He guides us (v.24) with His holy and
righteous counsel and when all else fails and this life finally ends, our end will
be with God in His eternal glory. Verse 25 declares the all sufficiency of His
Divine nature. Of all who are in Heaven now there is only one who will have the
attention of this Psalmist. And on earth there is only one who now commands his
undivided attention. In heaven or in earth the presence of God is his reality.
In verse 26 his focus shifts to the temporal nature of these bodies. He is
fully aware that this flesh is going to decay. But now, in God he recognizes
that everything he is, and all he will ever need, is His Heavenly Father. And
in verse 27 he briefly reflects again on the wealthy wicked. But this time
reality permeates his thoughts. The truth of their condition is unsettling, the
wicked will perish but it is even worse than that. All of those who were
unsaved and putting others or other things in the place of God in their lives
will be destroyed. They will face the final Judgment of a Holy and righteous
God.<br /><br />
In our final verse, verse 28, he makes a marvelous discovery;
he is divinely illuminated. After such a tirade against the ungodly of this
world, and after considering God’s hand in his own life Asaph has a personal
revelation. He finally understands that his focus should not have been on the
evil of this world. Instead, he needed to stop and look at everything God has
already done for him, and to begin seeing what God does for us every day that
we are alive. <br /><br />
Once he was able to shift his view from the ‘successful
sinners’ of this world and refocus on the daily goodness of God in our lives
his entire outlook changed. And with this new outlook he was able to give to each
of us this single rule for life: “But <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it
is</span> good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
that I may declare all thy works.” <br /><br />
Draw near to God, trust Him and share Him with others. God
is good…all the time.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div><br /></div>Larry Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270166920828508925noreply@blogger.com0