tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13578870448085305312024-03-05T09:02:21.682-08:00Wet FeetThe blog of Pastor David Holt as he learns to put his feet into the "Jordan River" BEFORE it parts.
If you wish to be informed each time a blog is posted, email Pastor David at davidholt08@gmail.com.
To visit Pastor David's website go to: www.pastordavidholt.com.Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-42225176693174933672021-12-16T05:13:00.001-08:002021-12-16T05:13:19.118-08:00Spiritual Lessons from Physical Surgery<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Recently I had knee replacement surgery, and I discovered through this experience that there are many parallels between this surgery and our spiritual growth. I am seeing many ways in which my surgery is helping my relationship with God. I offer to you 6 ways in which a surgery is like our walk with God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> In order to grow and become all that God wants us to be, we must:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Humbly admit we have a need. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I tried everything I could to improve my knee, but eventually I went to the doctor for it to be examined. There I learned I was “bone on bone” and the only real solution was to have a total knee replacement. I could have denied the truth and continued to live in pain, or I could humble myself and say, “I need help. I need someone else to do for me what will help me. I need to go through the process of surgery in order to get better.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I am more convinced than ever that humility is one of the most important components to a healthy relationship with God. We begin with God by humbly admitting our sin and receiving Christ as Savior. We continue to progress with God as we walk in humble dependence upon Him. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:6). If we are humble, we get more of His grace. If we are prideful, we quench his Holy Spirit. If we are humble, there is nothing he cannot show us that we need to work on. If we are prideful, we will remain in pain and bondage. Let us walk every day in humble reliance upon God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Get help from others. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I needed a doctor, a physical therapist, and much help from my wife at home. If I tried to go through this alone, it would be a disaster. In the same way, God has given us the body of Christ and the community of believers to help us grow and become more sanctified. We need fellowship with others, accountability and the community of faith to help us advance in God. The moment we are saved, God’s Word says we become a member of the body of Christ. WE are not to live in isolation, but rather in relationship with other Christ-followers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Allow pain to produce gain. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Surgery is a painful experience. Not only the surgery itself, but also the physical therapy. As one goes through physical therapy, you want to push to the point of pain, but not so much pain that you cause further damage. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">God uses pain in our spiritual life to sometimes show us areas that need attention, while at other times causing us to depend more on his power for life and godliness. Pain in our physical body shows us that something needs attention. Pain in our spiritual life is a signal that something needs attention. If we ignore the pain, it will only get worse. If we try to cover the pain with sinful pleasure, we will suffer negative consequences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Don’t expect growth in God to be easy. It can be a painful process. But allow the pain to produce spiritual gain through constantly abiding in Christ.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Be patient with the process of growth.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">My recovery from this surgery is slow and not as quick as I would like. It will probably be four weeks until I can walk without a walker, and six months to one year before I can actually do a normal hike. In the same way, our spiritual growth is a process. It does not occur overnight. Jesus spent three full years with His disciples. Sanctification takes time, energy, effort, waiting on God, and many ups and downs. 1 John 2:12-14 likens spiritual growth to the physical growth of going from a child to an adolescent, to a mature adult. All of this takes time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Put our faith and trust in the only One who can ultimately produce healing. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">God he is the giver and the sustainer of life. Every breath we breathe is a gift from His grace and power. Even the healing of a small cut on one’s finger comes from the Almighty. Ultimate healing from my knee replacement surgery is by the power of the Creator of my body, Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">In the same way, our salvation is from the Lord, and our sanctification is produced by a work of God’s Spirit. “As we behold the glory of God, we are being transformed from one degree of glory to the next, by His Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18). We certainly play a part in growth, like reading the word and prayer and obedience and fellowship and stepping out in faith, etc. but we do this resting in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, who ultimately produces the character change.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Enjoy the fruit that comes from obedience and abiding. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I cannot wait until I can go on a long hike, play pickleball and ride my bicycle again. More importantly, when we go through the process of growth and healing, we will experience the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience … (Gal. 5). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">God blesses obedience. God honors His word. If we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us on a daily basis, we will experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and relationships. God will not be mocked, a man will reap what he sows (Gal. 6).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-31494601878642246132021-09-10T12:11:00.001-07:002021-09-10T12:11:06.902-07:00Reflections on 9-11 ... 20 years later!<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Our country and the world was rocked and shocked on</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">9-11-01</b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">when evil terrorists attacked our country, killing almost 3,000 precious souls.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We must never forget.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We must reflect and learn.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We must learn from the past. We must become better and not bitter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><b>What are some of the most important lessons to learn from 9-11?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Evil and sin are real. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">So many today dismiss the reality of sin and evil. Too many think that man is basically good. No, we aren’t. The Bible says we are all born with a sin nature, and therefore we are all capable of terrible things, apart from the grace and power of God. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We have no problem calling Hitler evil, so why is it so hard to call this evil? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>This event was rooted in an evil ideology. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">That ideology is radical Islamic pride, racism and a desire to take over the world. The secular media does not like to talk about this for fear of being called Islamophobic. But these terrorists were Muslims. They really believe it is right to kill the infidels. They hate our country and what is stands for. They believe women are inferior. They believe they will be rewarded with 70 virgins in heaven one day. They follow a man of war: Mohammad. Are all Muslims like this? Of course not, but the root of the terrorist’s radicalism is in the Islamic faith. Be not deceived, this is the same group that now controls Afghanistan. I hope I am wrong, but it would not surprise me if another 9-11 occurs in our lifetime.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>America is worth defending… for the sake of the world.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">America certainly has some very serious sins of her own – past and present (e.g., slavery, pride, racism, materialism, abortion, drug and alcohol abuse, idolatry, etc.). However, let us be careful about the rewriting of our history and thinking that what we have in this country is not worth defending. America was founded on Christian and biblical truths such as the “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, capitalism, biblical laws, democracy, giving everyone a chance, freedom of worship and speech, the value of life from the womb to the tomb, etc. Because of this, so much good has come into and from this country. Without the United States in WW2, it is likely we would all be speaking German today, and the evil of Nazism would not have been defeated. Without the U.S. responding the way we did to 9-11, Osama Bin Laden would have killed many more people. By the way, many thanks to all who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places after 9-11. Why do I bring this up? Because what made this country great is dwindling before our very eyes. We need to stand up for the good in America, and seek to restore America to the principles I mentioned above. We also need to maintain a strong military presence in this country, because evil is only increasing around the world. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>The ultimate solution is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The only solution for the problem of sin and evil is the death and resurrection and shed blood of Jesus Christ. We have a virus far more deadly than COVID, and that is sin. There is a 100% effective vaccine for this virus, and it is the blood of Jesus! “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b> Christians need to be more active in personal evangelism.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">The method Jesus gave us to change the world is to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18). “And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The world is reached one heart at a time. We will not change the world by better laws and winning wars, as much as that can help. Instead, we change the world by helping to change hearts by introducing them to the love and transforming Gospel of Jesus. When hearts are changed, behavior is changed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b> Our ultimate battle is not against flesh and blood.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">The biblical and Christian worldview is one that includes 3 realms: God, man, and Satan/demons/angels. So many are ignorant of this 3<sup>rd</sup> dimension, that of Satan, demons and angels. “Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The ultimate source of sin and evil is Satan. All who are not followers of Jesus are under the influence of demonic spirits. We are in a spiritual battle, and that battle is getting more intense by the day. The only way to defeat Satan and demons is through the power of the Name and blood of Jesus. Christians, we fight spiritual forces with spiritual weapons.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b>7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Prayer is still a powerful weapon of war.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">After talking about the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6:10-17, the Apostle Paul says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (v. 18). Prayer is how we stay in close fellowship with God. Prayer is where we keep our heart pure. Prayer is how we hear God’s voice. Prayer is where we intercede for others. Prayer is how we “pull down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Prayer is how we “bind and loose” (Matthew 18:18). Prayer is where we give thanks, caste our cares on Him, and maintain our peace (Philippians 4:6-7).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">In conclusion, am I concerned? Yes. Am I heavy hearted at times? Most certainly. Are things getting worse? For sure. But I am hopeful because of Jesus. I am confident that God ultimately wins. I am motivated to stand strong. I will not give up. I will cling more tightly to the Word. I need God’s Holy Spirit more than ever. I want to be used by God to help change the world. I believe the Word of God more than ever before. I believe we are seeing many signs of the End Times fulfilled (see Matthew 24).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">Let us not back down. Let us live holy lives. Let us submit to God, resist the devil, and watch him flee (James 4:7). Let us join together as the body of Christ. Let us pray. Let us believe God’s promises. Let us help build strong and healthy churches. Let us support one another. Let us share the Good News of Jesus. Let us anticipate the return of Christ. Let us live with an eternal perspective!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-12481643914638554862021-02-26T07:25:00.000-08:002021-02-26T07:25:03.572-08:00Lessons from Ravi Zacharias' Sin<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I am grieved, saddened, bewildered, confused, disappointed, and challenged.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you would have asked me just months ago, “Who would you least expect to fall into some serious sin?”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My list of people would be short, but certainly on it would have been Ravi Zacharias.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This is why the recent news of Ravi’s sins still has me in disarray.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It was hard to read the complete report from his ministry’s Board, as well as the 3</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> party that did the thorough investigation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">I have been reflecting on the lessons to be learned from this horrific story. What is the Romans 8:28 in this? What do I need to take to heart as a result of this? What can we all learn from this? Here are my takeaways:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>My heart goes out to the many victims. May God grant them the grace to heal. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>I cannot imagine the long-term effects on his wife, children and grandchildren. They will have to live with this the rest of their lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Those who worked closely with him in the ministry are likely to struggle with false guilt and trust of leadership for some time. I know someone who works for the ministry, and she was completely in shock over the revelations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>#1-3 show that sin almost always hurts others in one way or another. Let us stop right now to pray for all those affected by this.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>“He who conceals his sin will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Years ago a woman came forward with allegations. Ravi had a “Nathan moment” (i.e., Nathan confronting King David) but denied it, lied, and ended up paying money to keep it quiet. This only made it worse, now that the truth has been revealed. What is done in secret will often be brought to light. More importantly, God sees all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>No one is beyond temptation and falling. I remember Bill Bright once said, “I am only one decision away from adultery every day.” He did not mean he was flirting with an affair, but rather that he was not above any temptation or choice to sin. No matter how long someone has walked with God or been mightily used by God, he/she must decide each day to obey the Lord and resist temptation. In fact, the more one is used by God, the larger the target on their back. Satan is relentless.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Real accountability and protection are essential for each of us. We all need a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). This is the one who will ask the hard questions, travel with us if necessary, and with whom we can share our secrets. When Billy Graham traveled, he never did so alone; his traveling companion would search his hotel room before he entered (and once found a woman planted to seduce him), and do everything he could to prevent him from being in a situation in which he could fall. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Though there will still be consequences for our sin, forgiveness, grace, and healing is always available in Christ … IF we come clean about our sin. To think that Ravi never did that is tragic. With his terminal cancer about to take his life, why did he not repent before he died? How much did the Holy Spirit trouble him about his sin? Did he just ignore numerous attempts by the Lord to bring him to repentance? How did he preach such powerful messages, while living a double life? Was his death by cancer a partial judgment for his sin, like that of Ananias and Saphira (see Acts 5)?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>What about those who were positively affected by his ministry over the years? There were over 2 million positive comments on twitter when he died. His speaking, writing, and ministry led people to salvation, strengthened many in their faith, and trained up those who are now pastors, missionaries, and apologists. Is this all in vain? NO! But it certainly tarnishes his legacy. I heard someone say, “Truth is truth, regardless of the vessel who brings it, but now his messages and books will never be viewed the same.” The publisher of his books has already taken them off the shelves; his ministry has removed his name and stopped taking donations; and the future of his ministry is uncertain as of this writing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>I certainly don’t want to take the “Elder Brother” approach to the Prodigal in this (see Luke 15), or look down a self-righteous nose of judgment upon Ravi, for I am well aware that we are all “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” The old phrase, “But by the grace of God, go I” is so applicable here. The world, the flesh and the Devil are relentless in their attacks. Perhaps the biggest lesson in this is how crucial it is that we abide in the Word, live daily in the power of the Holy Spirit, resist temptation, have at least one trusted accountability person in our life, and be an “open book” as much as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It is not as important how we start, or where we are in the middle of the race, but that we be transformed each day, and finish well. I want to finish well! How about you?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>In my book <i>Pastoring with Passion</i> I have a chapter on “Passion for Purity: Fatal Flaws and Wet Blankets.” Fatal flaws are those areas we are most susceptible to sin. It is what Hebrews 12 describes as “the sin that so easily entangles us”. We each have an area or two that could so easily entangle us, if we don’t keep it in check. We need to name these areas and keep wet blankets on them, lest they burn down our house and the many houses that surround us. Be sure at least one other person knows your fatal flaw, and asks you about it on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Though we respect and learn from human leaders, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. If news of Ravi’s sin causes our faith to crumble, then our faith is more in man than in God. Jesus is the only man that has ever walked planet earth and remained sinless.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The Gospel of Jesus is still the best news out there. The Gospel contains eternal forgiveness and healing at the core of our being. The Gospel gives us a new identity from which we are motivated to live holy. The Gospel gives us the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The Gospel provides a forever family in which we can have support and encouragement. And the Gospel promises a fresh start whenever we confess and repent of our sin. The Gospel always gives hope, no matter how negative things may seem. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Our world is increasingly negative, sinful, discouraging, and far from God, which is why we need the Jesus more than ever. Learn from this situation, and never lose hope, because Jesus came to bring life and life abundantly (John 10:10), and “where sin abounds, grace even more” (Romans 5:20). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">I welcome your comments and insights. Let me hear from you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-3754987585173017042020-10-19T06:44:00.004-07:002020-10-19T06:44:29.363-07:00Lessons from the Braves' Game 7 Loss<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I have been a Braves’ fan since I was 8 years old.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I was at the game when Hank Aaron hit his 715</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">homerun to break Babe Ruth’s record.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I could go on about other games I have been to.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Obviously, I was extremely disappointed to watch the Braves loose Game 7 of the National League Division Series last night.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">But here are some lessons from it:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>A sports’ event is temporal and not eternal.</b> Thinking about what is eternal (i.e., last forever) vs. what is temporal (i.e., does not last forever) has been a huge game-changer for me in life. In our walk with God, we need to focus on what is eternal and not what is temporal. Eternal perspective puts earthly affairs into proper perspective.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Don’t listen to or read the critics on social media or the news.</b> I am tempted to go down the trail of reading articles or viewing social media posts about the game. I am sure they will critique every mistake made, and it would likely pull me right in. That is a trap and would only lead to expending unnecessary emotion and time on that today. I will resist. It is like the lies that Satan tries to bring against us in our walk with God. As the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10), Satan loves to bring up our past sins and present flaws. We must “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:4-5), resist his lies, and claim our righteousness in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>I need to get my joy from God and not from worldly things</b>. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sports’ event, but if my team loosing takes away my joy, then I am allowing it a larger place in my life than God would want. I need to get my joy from who God is and who I am in Him, and not allow a game like this to take that away, even for one day! God doesn’t change (i.e., immutable), and is consistent every hour or every day (i.e., faithful).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>I need to remember what the players are going through today and pray for them.</b> Yes, I can pray for professional athletes and make a difference. Pray for those who are not saved, to come to Christ through this loss. Pray for those who are saved, to have a loving and bold witness through the loss. I have worked with a number of athletes at the University of Georgia, and this has given me a deeper appreciation for the hard work they put into their sport, and also how much their light can shine to others after a loss. It is easy to praise God when you win, but after a disappointment one’s light can often shine even brighter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>Forget what lies behind and reach for what lies ahead</b>. It is easy to live in the past. It is tempting to bring up all the times the Braves have lost in October. For some, this just might mean that give up on the Braves entirely. In life, we can allow our past or present “loses” make us “throw in the towel.” God does not want us to do that. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Rom. 5-6). God’s mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23-25). With Jesus, today is the first day of the rest of our life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul used running a race and boxing (1 Cor. 9:24-27) to teach spiritual and eternal truths. Therefore, we can learn many biblical truths through things like sports. I would love to hear your comments about this. <o:p></o:p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-34748739383798282412020-06-26T05:11:00.002-07:002020-06-26T05:11:21.767-07:00An Open Letter About Racism and the Current Crisis in America<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Open Letter Concerning the Current Crisis in America<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span lang="SV">Dr. Pastor David Holt; June 26, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Our nation is in crisis.<span> </span>Starting with the coronavirus, moving to the stay-at-home orders (which has had all kinds of psychological effects on people), then with the economy causing many to feel more fearful and uncertain, finally erupting with the horrendous killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and others.<span> </span>Many blacks have had enough. The pain over years and years and years is surfacing as never before.<span> </span>And many whites are torn in what to do. They want to take action and speak out against true racism, but because so much gets politicized and connected with unbiblical things, they often feel paralyzed.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are my thoughts in hopes of bringing some understanding and action:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>God’s heart is hurting over all of this.<span> </span>His heart aches for the people who have been killed.<span> </span>His compassion goes out to the families and friends of these victims.<span> </span>He is angry at the sin in our nation.<span> </span>He is sovereign, holy, just, loving, merciful, patient, longsuffering, and faithful, among many other wonderfully complex attributes.<span> </span>I cannot begin to imagine all that God feels right now.<span> </span>It is important to try to see current events through the heart and mind of God.<span> </span>I can just picture Jesus in <span>Matthew 23:37 when He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that murders your prophets! You are the city that stones the very messengers who were sent to deliver you! So many times I have longed to gather a wayward people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings—but you were too stubborn to let Me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>God calls us to repentance and faith in His Son Jesus for forgiveness and healing.<span> </span>The ultimate problem is not a skin problem but a sin problem.<span> </span>At the root of racism is pride.<span> </span>The answer to all of this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<span> </span>More on that later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these victims and many more that have suffered under racism and injustice.<span> </span>Everyone who has seen the videos of these killings agrees this is wrong.<span> </span>In the past, after further information came to light, many whites would say, “That looks really bad, BUT …. I feel for that policeman…. They have a really tough job …. Not sure what I would have done in the spur of the moment in that situation …” and then we just trust the legal system will sort it all out. Sometimes they do (literally as I type this the news just announced 3 indictments in the Arbery case), while many times they don’t.<span> </span>We learn later that the system did not treat the black person fairly.<span> </span>And we hope it gets better. But often it doesn’t.<span> </span>We watch movies like “Just Mercy” and we see how many are unjustly punished and incarcerated for crimes they never committed, because some racist had to find a “black person” to blame it on.<span> </span>Our eyes are opening, but we have a long ways to go in seeing the full picture.<span> </span>Most of all, we need the Lord to “bring to light” what has “been hidden in darkness.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>What makes these recent killings so “eye opening” for whites is that there isn’t any more evidence we need to see to show us that these killings have no justification.<span> </span>This is why you have more whites protesting over racism than any time in history.<span> </span>And these protests are now international and not just national.<span> </span>Is God shaking the nations to the reality of the sin of racism?<span> </span>Could it be that slavery and racism is the “original sin” of America?<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We wonder how many more merciless and unjust killings have taken place that were not recorded on a phone and shown to the world?<span> </span>We wonder how many other acts of racism have been swept under the rug.<span> </span>It is likely more deep-rooted than most whites realize.<span> </span>Help us see what You have always seen, Lord.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Just recently I was enlightened to a terrible lynching in 1946 that occurred just 8 miles from where I live. I have actually deer hunted on the land right next to where this occurred.<span> </span>What happened on that terrible day in in 1946?<span> </span>Two couples (one 7-months pregnant) were shot 60 times and lynched by a mob of 15-20 white people.<span> </span>The husband of the pregnant couple had just been home for 9 months after serving 5 years in WW2!<span> </span>This is what he gets for serving his country?<span> </span>After 3 different investigations, no one has ever been arrested for this lynching.<span> </span>To read the full account of what happened will make your stomach turn, as well as keep you up at night.<span> </span>I have been to the place where this occurred …. to pray and reflect … and I prayed there yesterday with a group of pastors and intercessors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Returning to the current situation in our nation, God’s Word supports a person standing up for his God-given rights as Paul did in Acts when he was being denied his “rights” as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28). God’s Word also supports peaceful and non-violent protests to move a nation’s conscience and to work toward the reversal of unjust laws.<span> </span>What Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did during the Civil Rights Movement is an example that should be followed today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>God’s Word condemns the violence, looting and rebellion against the authority structures that He has set in place (see Romans 13).<span> </span>One act of evil never justifies another act of evil.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Many white Christians want to support their black brothers and sisters and declare “Black Lives Matter,” because they do matter.<span> </span>Black lives do matter. Black lives do deserve fair treatment.<span> </span>Black lives are created in the image of God.<span> </span>Black lives deserve the “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”<span> </span>Black lives deserve the same treatment as white people.<span> </span>At the same time, many whites struggle being connected the to the BLM movement, because of the political connections that this movement has, of which they cannot endorse.<span> </span>The founder of this movement has openly professed to being a Marxist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Many Christians want to support the pain and hurt of blacks, but struggle knowing how to do this when so many protests involve signs that say, “Defund Police”; “Blue Klux Klan,” or the protests links arms with the Gay Pride movement and seeks to make that a civil rights issue also.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>One only hurts the cause of blacks when protests turn to looting, vandalism, and the taking over of police stations.<span> </span>Therefore, many white and black Christians do not know what to do and feel paralyzed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The idea of “Defunding Police” could result in anarchy.<span> </span>Police reform is one thing, but defunding police departments is not the proper response.<span> </span>I was recently in a meeting where our black Police Chief and black Sheriff told our white Mayor, “We are not in favor of defunding the police department because that will only hurt the blacks in this community.”<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Unfortunately, so much that is going on gets connected to a political agenda that makes this even more confusing for Christians.<span> </span>Some out of compassion lean left (like my dad!) because they want to help the oppressed. Jesus made it a priority to help and heal the poor, oppressed and marginalized. Others support the right, because they feel it better supports what the Bible says about the unborn and issues of sexual morality.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Many evangelical Christians embrace the policies of our President, but disdain his pride, harmful tweets, personal attacks, and lack of unifying leadership.<span> </span>Once again, this leaves them very paralyzed in what to do right now, and who to support and “get behind.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The black community today needs a national leader like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was devoted to biblical truths, compassion, boldness and non-violence.<span> </span>His famous and impassioned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is worth everyone’s read.<span> </span>He challenged the passivity of the white church in his day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Studying the Christian history of America shows how demonic theology in the church is largely to blame for the sin of slavery lasting for so many years.<span> </span>Had the church, pastors, theologians and others renounced this sin sooner, it may have prevented the Civil War.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b>So with all this said, what can we do?<span> </span>What practical suggestions can we consider?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We should condemn racism in all its forms.<span> </span>It is ungodly, demonic, and oppressive to an entire race of people. It is against everything in the nature of God and His Holy Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can speak out against racism when we see it, be it from a friend or in society at large.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can stand against injustice.<span> </span>Sometimes we need someone to point it out to us, because we often do not see it due to our white privilege.<span> </span>I know many do not like this term and will resist it, but it simply means that we do have certain privileges and advantages in American by simply being white.<span> </span>This is not our fault.<span> </span>We had nothing to do with being born white, any more than my black brother had anything to do with being born black.<span> </span>God is sovereign over that, and we can both rejoice and embrace the color of our skin.<span> </span>At the same time, due to many factors (many of which were sinful), whites in American do have many privileges that we need to recognize.<span> </span>In general, blacks do have more obstacles to overcome in being successful and achieving the “American Dream” that many whites were simply handed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can study history so that we understand more fully why racism is one of the original sins of this country.<span> </span>It is deep rooted and demonic due to slavery, Jim Crow laws, etc.<span> </span>Many whites will respond, “But I did not own slaves, so don’t hold me responsible for that, and we are now in 2020 and blacks can do whatever they set their mind to do.”<span> </span>True, you did not own slaves but when you understand how that system has affected the black race, and how much we are still negatively reaping what we have sown through that sin, then you will have more compassion and understanding for where blacks have come from.<span> </span>There are so many carry-overs from this horrible sin.<span> </span>We must understand it like we would if one of our family members were Native American and had to try to overcome all the sins we committed against that race years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can intentionally develop relationships with black people, so that we actually have a friend we can ask in times like this, “What is this like for you?<span> </span>What are you going through right now? How does all this make you feel?” And when we ask these questions, we need to use our two ears and close our one mouth, in order to listen. We need to weep with those who weep (Rom. 12).<span> </span>We need to regard the other person as more important than ourselves (Phil. 2). We need to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6).<span> </span>We need to be slow to speak and quick to listen (Jas. 4). I am preaching to myself as much as to anyone right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can pray.<span> </span>God’s heart is moved when we pray, confess our sins and repent, so as to help bring healing in our land. <span> </span>2 Chron. 7:14 is still God’s prescription for national healing:<span> </span>“If <b>MY people</b>, who are called by <b>MY name</b>, will humble themselves and pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and <b>heal their land</b>”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">g.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can even pray for those who killed George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, that they might “come to their senses” and repent before the families and even the world.<span> </span>If they did this, it just might serve to bring some healing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">h.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can reach across political and sociological lines to try to come to some solutions. I don’t know exactly what this would look like, but I am meeting with other pastors and leaders in Athens to work on this.<span> </span>Please pray for this effort.<span> </span>Recently I was in a room with 8 black pastors, 9 white pastors, our Mayor, our black Police Chief, our black Sheriff, and others. It was a very constructive discussion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can look at the progress that is being made. Sure there is a lot of craziness and extremes mixed in, but all is not bleak right now.<span> </span>Look at what the NASCAR drivers did recently to stand in support of Bubba Wallace.<span> </span>Look at the support that is being shown to the many good police officers.<span> </span>Look at how people are praying, and pastors are speaking on this issue.<span> </span>There is much to be encouraged by.<span> </span>Progress is being made.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">j.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Ask God, “What would You have me do?”<span> </span>He speaks to those who are sincere and still enough to listen to His “still, small voice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>God is still on His throne, and there is always hope when we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebr. 12).<span> </span>He can and still does “work all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).<span> </span>What Satan means for evil, God can work for good (Gen. 50:20).<span> </span>I know many of you reading this do love God and are called according to His purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Jesus prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” must be our pursuit.<span> </span>How can we help bring His kingdom to earth in some of the ways it is already true in heaven?<span> </span>We will not see it fully realized, but we can see it take place a lot more than we currently see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>We can all look forward to the day when Jesus will establish the new heaven and new earth, where there will be no sin, Satan, death, racism, division, pride, abuse, tears, pain, etc.<span> </span>What a glorious eternity that will be.<span> </span>Make sure you are saved by trusting in Christ’s shed blood on the cross, so that you will one day experience this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->21.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>This is worth repeating and closing with: <b>The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer and solution to all of these problems. </b>For the cross of Jesus grants forgiveness and healing for any sin. The Gospel of Jesus calls one to repent, which results in a change of behavior. The power of the Holy Spirit changes our hearts and enables us to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Word of God declares that all people, regardless of race, are created in the image of God. The cross of Jesus breaks down the wall of hostility (Eph. 2), because we are all a part of the human race, and all who are redeemed by the blood are brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 3:1). Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s throne in heaven will be full of people of every tribe, nation, tongue and people (Rev. 5). I cannot wait for that day, but until God calls me home, I want to do all I can to make a difference for eternity. How about you?<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-17538763736081719292017-10-04T11:51:00.002-07:002017-10-04T11:51:53.252-07:00Why the Vegas shooting? <div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“The Vegas
shooting:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an excuse but maybe an
explanation - Hurt People Hurt People.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone is asking, “How could someone kill all these people
and then kill himself?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt only
God knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This question is so complex
that even the most trained psychologists may not be able to provide a
satisfying answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I want to
offer some possible answers, and once again, God’s Word helps us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Mark 5 Jesus encounters a man who is so troubled,
demonized, and harmful to self and others that he was living in the tombs,
cutting himself, overcome with mental and emotional anguish, and even exhibiting
supernatural strength such that he could break free from chains. This oppressed
man likely hated himself and others, and would have today been diagnosed with
all kinds of mental, social, psychological, and spiritual disorders. Had he
gone to a doctor, he would have been put on all kinds of medications, and they
might have helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus loved him
and did something to him no one else could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus sets him free by casting the many demons out of him and into a
herd of pigs to be drowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A side note:
it is good this didn’t happen today or Jesus would have likely been arrested by
the animal rights’ people for animal abuse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, after this amazing act of love and
power by Jesus, the troubled man was set free, clothed and in his right mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see in this story how Jesus did indeed come
to set the captives free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Good News
is that Jesus is more powerful than Satan and still does this today, for those
who call upon Him for help and deliverance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I see a lot of similarities between the demonized man in
Mark 4 and the Las Vegas shooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
not even going to mention his name because I am opposed to giving him any more
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I offer the following
possibilities to the Vegas shooting:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->His father was a very sinful and sick man (i.e.,
bankrobber). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bible says, “The sins
of the forefathers are carried to the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup>
generation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He probably never received much love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who don’t feel love have a hard time
giving love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He was a loner and thus more susceptible to the
lies of the enemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He mistreated his girlfriend, and this often has
roots in self-hatred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He was likely very bitter at others and life,
and this makes someone want to hurt others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurt people hurt people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The wages
of sin is death.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He was looking for life and meaning in all the
wrong places:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>money, gambling, and sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He likely had a very poor self-image, and at the
core hated himself and thus hated others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurt people hurt people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->His mental and emotional pain likely made him want
to put that same pain on others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They
might as well suffer like I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure
can’t stand to see all these thousands of happy people at a concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t deserve to be happy while I am in
misery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan will indeed feed people
lies like this to lead them to “steal, kill and destroy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Therefore, once he decided to end his own life,
he figured he might as well take down others with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurt people hurt people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->As
sick as this is to all people of sound mind, he may also have wanted to do
something that would put his picture before the whole world to somehow validate
his worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why I am personally
opposed to the news showing the picture of people who do such things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->John
10:10 says, “Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan is ultimately behind all acts of evil
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I am certain
of:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this man was clearly demonized at a
very severe level, likely at the level of the demonized man in Mark 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news in the midst of this horrible tragedy is the
rest of John 10:10, “But I (Jesus) have come that you might have life and have
it more abundantly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love and power
of Jesus can transform not only a person like this, but anyone who is hurting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I may be off in some of the explanations, but I am not off
in the solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever is hurting and
troubling you today, Jesus wants to help you. He loves you; He created you; He
died for you; and He rose again for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turn to Him with whatever pain you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can do for you what no one else or nothing else can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to set the captives free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish this man had turned to Jesus. A
lot more people would be living today had He done that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-40604344899140122522017-02-03T18:03:00.000-08:002017-02-03T18:03:07.067-08:00Don't Discuss Politics or Sports at church. Why?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I discourage our congregation from talking about politics or sport’s events at church functions. Why is this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Our purpose for coming together is to focus on Jesus and what is eternal, and these things are very temporal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">These topics can easily become divisive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">God’s Word says to be “diligent to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3), and I think this approach helps do just that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Jesus prayed that we would be one in Him (John 17), and that this unity would make a powerful statement to a watching world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our unity is in Jesus and not in some political party or loyalty to the same football team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">We are commanded to build up one another in love, not to build up one another based on athletics or politics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Our country is so divided right now when it comes to politics, and when visitors come to our church, I want them to hear us excited about what God is doing in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Hebr. 12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Hopefully we attract all kinds of people:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Republican, Democrat, Independent, Bulldawgs, Gators, Yellow Jackets, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want people who visit our church to think that Living Hope is more about one of these labels than about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Particularly with political issues, there are always different perspectives on various issues, and in the limited time we have at church, the discussion will likely not be fruitful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If people want to get together and discuss such issues outside of church functions, I actually encourage this, as it could be mutually enlightening, especially if they disagree at the outset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as you can see, I am not at all saying we should <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> talk about these things. But I am saying there is a time and a place for such discussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I would suggest a “policy” of sorts that whenever we speak about political issues, we stop and pray for our leaders before going our own way (see 1 Tim. 2:1-4).</span></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-56756914519757994192017-01-25T19:57:00.002-08:002017-01-25T19:57:58.335-08:00Cultural Christianity vs. The "Real Deal"<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Pastor David Holt
(with input from Dr. Rich Suplita and Jarrett Fletcher)</b></div>
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Recently I saw someone’s Facebook post that said, “<span style="color: #16191f; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Converted to Cultural
Christianity in 2011, but truly surrendered my life to Christ in 2014.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This got me thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a big difference in becoming a “Cultural
Christian” and a true follower of Jesus. What is the difference?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian logically believes in God
and Jesus, but a true follower of Jesus is wholeheartedly trusting in Christ
alone for salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You believe God is one? You do well. The
demons also believe and shudder”</i> (James 2:19).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian gives lip service to being
a Christian, but a true follower of Jesus repents of his sin and surrenders control
of his life to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father” </i>(Mt.
7:21).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian goes to church and agrees
with most of what is said, but a true follower of Jesus attends church to
worship God in Spirit and in Truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You honor Me with your lips but your heart
is far from Me” </i>(Mk. 7:6)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian talks only of trivial
things with others, but a true follower of Jesus engages in genuine fellowship with
others in the body. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Let us consider how
we might spur one another on to love and good deeds, not forsaking the
assembling of yourselves together”</i> (Hebr. 10:24).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian may devote a few activities
to God each week, but a true follower of Jesus seeks to live everyday for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If
anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily
and follow me” </i>(Lu. 9:23).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian avoids the big sins for
fear of embarrassment, but a true follower of Jesus is genuinely seeking to
live a holy life in word and deed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You
shall be holy for I am holy”</i> (1 Pe. 1:16).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian enjoys his sin more than
God, but a true disciple of Jesus repents of his sin and wants to obey God. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I have the desire to do what is right”</i>
(Rom. 7:18).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian strays from God but does
not feel convicted, but <u>if</u> a true disciple strays from God he comes
under loving discipline<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Lord disciplines those whom He loves ….
And if you are without discipline, you are an illegitimate child and not a true
son” </i>(Hebr. 12:6-8).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><!--[endif]-->A cultural Christian is religious and does
religious activities, but a true follower of Jesus has a real and growing relationship
with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are
like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside
are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean” </i>(Mt. 23:27).<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian stencils
Bible verses on their walls (or Facebook) so that they might impress their church-going
friends, but a true disciple hides the Word of God in his heart so that he
might not sin against His Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I
might not sin against Thee”</i> (Ps. 119:11).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian seeks God
for the things he wants, but a genuine Christian seeks God for the things He
wants. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness”</i> (Mt. 6:33).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian focuses
only on the attributes of God he likes, but a true Christ-follower worships God
for all of His attributes, even the ones he is uncomfortable with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son … whoever believes in Him is
not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already”</i> (Jn.
3:16-18).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian prays
before meals, or in times of need, but a true disciple seeks God daily in
prayer as a necessary aspect of his communion with His Creator. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pray without ceasing”</i> (1 Thess. 5:17).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian asks, "How
can Christianity make my life better?" but a true disciple asks, "How
can I die to myself that Christ may live in and through me?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“That I
may know Him, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His
sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” </i>(Phil. 3:10).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian will give
a nod of affirmation to the Gospel going forth in socially-acceptable,
non-offensive ways, but a true disciple will get behind the Gospel going forth
even when it offends the world and personally costs him. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto
salvation” </i>(Rom. 1:16).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A cultural Christian will
routinely spend hours in front of Netflix, shopping, or watching a sports’
event, but cannot tell you when the last time he spent more than an hour
earnestly seeking God in the Word and prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Faith without works is dead”</i>
(Jas. 2:26).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This list is by no means exhaustive, but perhaps in it you
recognize that you may be a cultural Christian but not have a genuine
relationship with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that is the
case, or if you have any doubt as to your true salvation, take time to allow
God to search your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider the
following questions as you search your heart:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Do you admit that you sin and do things that
displease God?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Do you believe in your heart that Jesus died and
rose again for your sin?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Are you willing to turn your sin over to God and
allow Him to change you from the inside out?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Do you want Jesus to be your Savior and Lord?<o:p></o:p></div>
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into your life and take control of your life?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you answered “yes” to each of these, here is a suggested
prayer to pray:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Lord God, I admit
that I have sinned against you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
been living more for me than for You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
believe that Jesus died and rose again for my sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord,
and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn from my sin and receive Jesus into my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take control of my life and fill
me with your Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empower me to
live for You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for doing
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you truly prayed that from your heart, please let me know
by emailing me at <a href="mailto:davidholt08@gmail.com">davidholt08@gmail.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing to do is be baptized, as this
will seal that commitment you have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me know if I can help you in any way, or if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-13450156068685836212017-01-16T11:10:00.001-08:002017-01-16T11:10:17.501-08:00Are You Going DEEPER?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8hBHPf2y_DGiJJWirqBvtO-8ChB8hyI3nLelmwfbwefnAm0elsBBc7WrjgR-S8Q7Lavxkid2Q_nbjVNeqMDXIY41S8zSiaJjJCPVH2L3cF0TL-0hXc4fNYY3UGfadaUKGs6XxnSM1YBI/s1600/Web-Banner_1200x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8hBHPf2y_DGiJJWirqBvtO-8ChB8hyI3nLelmwfbwefnAm0elsBBc7WrjgR-S8Q7Lavxkid2Q_nbjVNeqMDXIY41S8zSiaJjJCPVH2L3cF0TL-0hXc4fNYY3UGfadaUKGs6XxnSM1YBI/s320/Web-Banner_1200x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you growing in your walk with God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you going deeper with the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you progressing from a child to a young
man to a father (see 1 John 2:12-14)?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God wants all of us to be going deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to move from just drinking milk to
eating meat (Hebrews 5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to “grow
in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ” (2 Pe. 3:18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we “behold the glory of God” the Spirit
will transform us from “one degree of glory to another” (1 Pe. 3:18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you experiencing this?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many Christians are either stagnant in their walk, or
just plain lazy when it comes to doing what is needed to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually think that if someone is not
growing, and doesn’t desire to grow, they may not be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Spirit of God is truly living in
someone, He will be working “both to will and to do for God’s good pleasure”
(Phil. 2:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, if a supposed
Christian is living in sin, and not repenting, or being disciplined for that sin,
they also may not be truly saved because Hebrews 12 says that God disciplines
those who are His children, and if someone is not disciplined then they are an
illegitimate child and not a true son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better consider that
carefully if it applies to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the ways we grow is through suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not fun, and we all wish it were not
so, but it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, when hard
times come, we need to press in to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For it is in those hard times that we often grow the most, because “in
our weakness is His power made perfect” (2 Cor. 12).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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To learn more about God’s call for us to go deeper in Him,
the stages of growth, and how suffering produces Godly character, check out my
3 sermons on “DEEPER” at <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God to give you a greater hunger to go
deeper with Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-12864925390701829112016-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:002016-11-12T05:41:33.435-08:00With Trump as President, Now What?<div class="MsoNormal">
With this crazy election over, now what? People’s reactions vary from depression to
rioting to celebrating. It has been a
long time since our nation has been so divided.
Here is my perspective:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God
is still on His throne and in total control!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He has not become any less sovereign!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raises up one and puts down another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ultimately decides the election results,
and we may or may not know the reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are responsible now for how we respond, and not for who is in office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We
are not commanded to like who is in office, but we are commanded to pray for
those in office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have already been praying for President-elect Trump to
have wisdom in selecting his cabinet, and for his salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t it be awesome if he became a devoted
Christ-follower, exhibited by true humility and dependence on God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole world would see the difference in
his life!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I am
actually hopeful for our nation for the following reasons, and bear with me
here because I know some of you don’t like Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me say this loud and clear:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have major concerns about Trump’s character
and the Bible is clear that “pride comes before the fall” so I really hope he
doesn’t fall due to his obvious pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, here is what I am encouraged about:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trump
seems to be surrounding himself with some really good people</b>, such as his
running mate Pence, Dr. Ben Carson, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hopeful these people will help to keep
him in check and provide biblically sound input.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trump has
said he will appoint strong constitutionalists to the Supreme Court, and
pro-lifers!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says
“righteousness exalts a nation” and we have definitely been walking in
unrighteousness by killing so many babies through abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize you cannot ultimate legislate
individual morality, but we most certainly should have legislation that aligns
with biblical morals, and abortion is murder. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been worthy of God’s judgment for years
for the sin of abortion, and if we can turn that one around, it would please
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt in my mind about
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally I could not vote for
Hillary for the abortion reason alone, though there were many other concerns as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trump has
said he will protect religious liberty, and this is long overdue.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our religious freedoms have been under attack
for years, and hopefully we will begin to get back to what our Founding Fathers
wanted for this great nation, and that is the freedom to preach the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole “separation of
church and state” has been twisted to mean something it was never intended to
mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was to keep the state out of
the church, and never meant to keep the church out of the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Founders wanted biblical values and
prayer in the state.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trump has
said he will aggressively go after the evil of ISIS.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not afraid to call it what it is:
“Radical Islamic Terrorism.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The role of
government is to punish evil and reward good (see Romans 13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time we do that with ISIS, and the
entire world will thank us, like they did in WW2 when the evil of Hitler was
defeated, largely by the U.S.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The bottom line for
me</b> is that though I am optimistic with Trump, my hope and faith and trust
is in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter who is in office
and not matter what happens, my ultimately allegiance is to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will love, trust and follow Him no matter
what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I invite you to do the same!<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-19902248319722418192016-10-29T10:35:00.001-07:002016-10-29T10:36:51.487-07:00Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-28404320005818607452016-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:002016-10-29T10:36:43.406-07:00Sin, Judgment and Jesus<div class="MsoNormal">
Sin and judgment are not popular topics these days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We prefer to talk about love, mercy and
grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God’s Word has a lot to say
about love, grace, and mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
we cannot fully appreciate God’s love, mercy and grace without understanding
sin and judgment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good news of grace is only as good as we comprehend the
truth about sin and judgment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We have all done bad things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have all fallen short of God’s holiness (Romans 3:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all sinned against our Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all gone our own way and refused to
put God first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all broken almost
everyone of the 10 Commandments, if not outwardly, then certainly inwardly as
Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7). For example, He
likened lustful thoughts to adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
likened hatred inside to murder outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guilty as charged.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And our sin deserves the judgment of God. Our sin deserves
punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sin deserves death
(Romans 6:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing before God’s
holiness renders us stricken to the ground in conviction and judgment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hosea 8-10 speaks of this judgment upon God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all that God had done for Israel, they
still turned their back on Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judgment
was looming, and He was giving them fair warning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And just when it seemed there was no hope or no room to
escape, God offers hope in Hosea 10:12, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Sow
for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground,
for it is time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon
you.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How cool is this!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God offers a chance to avoid judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And to avoid judgment we must allow Him to break up our hard heart, and
have Him plant the seed of righteousness (JESUS!) in our heart, and then we
will produce a harvest of righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Gospel of Jesus is the answer to sin and judgment because Jesus bore
our sin and judgment on the cross, so that we can exchange our sin for His
righteousness. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For more about sin, judgment and how to escape through Jesus,
check out my sermon on Hosea 8-10 at http://www.livinghopeathens.org/when-judgment-comes/</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-9647199463982474282016-10-04T05:57:00.000-07:002016-10-04T05:59:55.081-07:00Sports Just Might Be An Idol if .....<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59p6Z6GbJ4_vf-NP33Bf4VTdbV-_FKLfFXyohudMYjJ7BSphL1Nl-maEn6RUdJ5GNEEerdFHNzrJJHZgcxw9tbWareS4CWr-Bl05UvECQo3sYtV9z-LjsAqQFnfqJW2mK_hFWAvNIADyj/s1600/fans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59p6Z6GbJ4_vf-NP33Bf4VTdbV-_FKLfFXyohudMYjJ7BSphL1Nl-maEn6RUdJ5GNEEerdFHNzrJJHZgcxw9tbWareS4CWr-Bl05UvECQo3sYtV9z-LjsAqQFnfqJW2mK_hFWAvNIADyj/s320/fans.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSX8483UlxsIYxNgcqVKSuloSTS4cXCqqWdAUB-ypA0HG1gIYGFTHFG9uIg_0q8L9Q3xcwkVCOE18swNDH4C-mLo-q9gmGtecXrTfnKMyiTGNWZo96oOAr9FGMQIbPFw3JL2jPOCJWDoI/s1600/sleeping-in-church.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSX8483UlxsIYxNgcqVKSuloSTS4cXCqqWdAUB-ypA0HG1gIYGFTHFG9uIg_0q8L9Q3xcwkVCOE18swNDH4C-mLo-q9gmGtecXrTfnKMyiTGNWZo96oOAr9FGMQIbPFw3JL2jPOCJWDoI/s320/sleeping-in-church.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most of us have heard of Jeff Foxworthy’s <b>“You just might be
a redneck if …”</b>, where he gives a list of indications of being a redneck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, in that vain, I want to give a list of
<b>“Sports just might be an idol if …”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I am observing more and more Christians devoting a ton of
time and energy into sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
especially true in the south (where I live and enjoy my DAWGS) with SEC
football. SEC football is so big not that an entire TV station is devoted to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is big time down here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I lived in Wisconsin for 18 years, so you
Packer fans (which I am one!) are not off the hook either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The bottom line is that sports is big wherever you go these days.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, let me be clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I enjoy sports and it can be great fun and fellowship to attend or watch games with friends. It can even be a great form of outreach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is so important we all keep this
in proper perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul
said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“All things are lawful but not all
things are profitable … all things are lawful, but I will be mastered by
nothing.” </i>(1 Cor. 6:12). Balance is the key, and I am very concerned that
many are out of balance today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We often think of idolatry as people worshiping a golden
calf or some statue of Buddha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those
things certainly are idolatry, but the Bible describes idolatry as putting
anything or anyone before God in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sports just might be
an idol if:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You have greater <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">affections</b> for your team than you do for the God who loves you and
sent His Son for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can shout on
Saturday but not sing on Sunday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something is wrong with that scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You spend more <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">time</b> with your sports’ team than you do with the God who longs for you
to know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calculate the amount of
time watching the game, reading the articles, searching online for anything
about your team, and then compare it to the time you spend with God in the Word
and prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ouch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You spend more <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">money</b> on your team than you give to your church or world
missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is more important to
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is a better investment in
eternity?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">emotionally
derailed</b> when your team looses, instead of the joy of the Lord being your
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past Saturday, Georgia
lost a heart breaker to UT in the final second of the game. Many fans have been
in severe depression ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
really sad when you can sense the mood of the congregation on Sunday, depending
on the outcome of the Saturday game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">relationships</b>
with others are adversely affected based on the outcome of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While pastoring in Wisconsin I served as a
police chaplain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that the
local police department would receive the fewest calls during a Green Bay
Packer game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they received the most
domestic violence calls after a Packer lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know of churches in
Alabama where the Auburn fans sit on the opposite side of the sanctuary from
the Bama fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is taking it way too seriously.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You get greater <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">joy</b> when your team succeeds than from the God who eternally saved
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen people’s entire
emotional stability come from the outcome of their game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are on top of the world after a victory,
and in the pits after a loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard a
UGA fan call into a radio talk show after a tragic loss, and literally sound on
the verge of suicide. The talk show host said, “Do you realize you are putting
your entire emotional stability into the hands of a bunch of 18-21 years olds?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">read</b>
more about your team than you do God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When your spare time is spent on your team instead of your God, this is
an indicator of a heart problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">thought
time</b> is more centered on your sports team than the Lord who calls you to
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“pray without ceasing”</i> (1 Thess.
5:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What our mind dwells upon is a
great indication of where our heart is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ask anyone who recently “fell in love” with someone who they think about
the most, they will tell you it is that person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->You can <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">memorize</b>
and quote all kinds of stats on your team, but you cannot memorize verses from
God’s Word. I have people tell me all
the time, “I just don’t have a knack for scripture memory.” But moments later they can quote all kinds of
stats about their team. The problem is
not the mind, but the heart. <i>"</i><i>From the
abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks"</i> (Mt. 12:34).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->You
are more focused on what is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">temporal</b>
than what is eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having an eternal
perspective is the one thing that that has helped me the most in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often I ask myself, “Who will even remember
the outcome of this game in 3 months, much less 3,000 years, much less 300,000 years?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you are now seeing that sports just might be an idol
in your life, or quickly headed there, I offer the following suggestions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Confess
your sin to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We begin to change by
admitting that we have a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Agreeing that this is an issue is the first step toward healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If we
confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us of all unrighteousness”</i> (1 Jn. 1:9).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ask God
to change your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I remember
asking my daughter how she gained a hunger for God, and she said the key was
simply admitting to God that she did not have that hunger, and then asking Him
to give it to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a prayer God
loves to answer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stir your
affections for God </b>by spending time in the Word, prayer, worship,
fellowship, reading Godly material, fellowshipping with Godly people, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the principle of positive
replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best defense against an
idol is a good offense of pursuing God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How is that for a sports’ analogy?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ask
someone to hold you accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Give
a Godly person permission to ask you how you are doing in this area.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wean
yourself from excessiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>An idol
is like an addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get so
accustomed to being absorbed in it, that we need to discipline ourselves away
from it, lest it increasingly occupy our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can do this by setting some limits to the amount of time and energy
you devote to sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, set a
time limit on how much TV you watch; turn off the “ESPN alert” on your
notifications; and/or pledge to spend equal amounts of time with God as you do
with your games.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Watch
this 6-minute video</b> by David Platt about the cross and sports and allow it
to further challenge you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9jPfJeT2k">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9jPfJeT2k</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Love the Lord with
all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as you are
already loving yourself.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mk.
12:28-32<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-55683338619905032312016-09-26T12:36:00.000-07:002016-09-26T12:36:42.035-07:00Paying the Love Price in Hosea 3<div class="MsoNormal">
Love keeps going to a deeper and deeper level in the book of
Hosea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if it wasn’t enough for Hosea
to marry an unfaithful whore (Hosea 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As if it wasn’t enough for Hosea to remain with her despite her whoring
around (Hosea 1-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if it wasn’t enough
for Hosea to pursue her even in her waywardness (Hosea 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he is called to love her again when
she not only has been whoring around, but also is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“loved by another”</i> (3:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is terrible enough to just be a prostitute for money, but now she appears to be
in an actual relationship with a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And yet, Hosea still loves her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
loves us in the same manner!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gomer is so destitute and washed up in her sin that she is
for sale for only 15 shekels of silver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hosea’s
wife is on the auction block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The normal
price for a slave in that day was 30 pieces of silver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her sin had taken its toil and she wasn’t
worth much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sin does the same to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
wages of sin is death … what did you benefit from that which you are now
ashamed of</i>” (Rom. 6)?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all of this background, Hosea/God pays the price to
purchase his own wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Greater love hath no man than this, that he
lay down his life for His friends”</i> (Jn. 15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus bought us out of the slavery of sin
with His blood!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For God hath redeemed us, not with perishable things such as silver
and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lamb” </i>(1 Peter 3).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And with this purchase, comes a needed conversation about
where the relationship goes from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hosea tells Gomer that the days of whoring around are over (v. 3) and
that it is time to dwell with him and put aside all other relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, for this marriage to work, it
requires exclusivity!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God says the
same to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are going to have a
healthy and growing relationship with God, we must repent of our sins and
forsake our other “lovers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must
deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me”</i> (Luke 9:23).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more on the great sacrifice Jesus has made to purchase
us out of slavery, and the 6 essential ingredients that go into a healthy relationship
with God, listen to my sermon on Hosea 3 at <a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-55899935761234463322016-09-20T17:59:00.000-07:002016-09-20T17:59:37.710-07:00God Pursuing the Sinner<div class="MsoNormal">
In Hosea 2:14-23 we have this amazing picture of the
pursuing God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gomer (representing Israel
and us!) has gone astray from Hosea (representing God).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has gone after other lovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has turned her back on her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Hosea 2:1-13 we saw God bringing loving, but firm
discipline upon Gomer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
surrounding her with thorns and having her hit a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was all designed to be a wake-up call to
her. But there is no response yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So what does God do next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would have every right to bring total judgment and be done with her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could turn His back and say, “It is over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yet He doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, He allures her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes after her and seeks to romance her
back to Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He takes her into the
wilderness and “speaks tenderly to her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The original Hebrew here means, “speak to her heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is what God does with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of our sin and rebellion, He
wants to speak to our heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to
go to the very root of why we are doing what we are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then the passage says three times, “I will betroth you to me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God initiates restoring the marriage in the
very midst of Gomer’s adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
amazing grace and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very time
we deserve judgment and condemnation, God comes after us to renew the
marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He does this by saying “I
will betroth you to me forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
marriage with God is eternal and cannot be broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is all because of what Jesus did for
us at the cross.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For more on this amazing love and union with God that occurs
through Jesus, check out my sermon at <a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/gods-love-song/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/gods-love-song/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-90312019506512140452016-09-16T08:27:00.000-07:002016-09-16T08:27:19.384-07:00Walking in Humility and Openness to Correction<div class="MsoNormal">
This week (on Sept. 15) I was reading Proverbs 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, reading the numerical Proverb
that corresponds with the day of the month is a great habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, several passages spoke to me about
the importance of walking in humility, teachability, and receptivity to the
input (even reprove) of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A fool despises …
instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15:5<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“There is severe
discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15:10<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A scoffer does not
like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15:12<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Without counsel plans
fail, but with many advisors they succeed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>15:22<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whoever ignores
instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains
intelligence.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15:32<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The fear of the Lord
is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15:33<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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These truths were put to the test in my life that very
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fellow pastor confronted me about
something I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I was
defensive and thought I had done nothing wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I am the only one who ever responds that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I took time to get alone with God and pray about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit showed me I needed to
repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to repent not only before
him, but also before a group of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But afterwards, I had a
clear conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is worth a lot!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Think about it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if we
walk in absolute humility and constantly open to what God may need to point out
to us, then there is nothing He cannot do in us and through us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”</i> (1 Peter 5:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would not want all the grace from God
they could get?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who would want to
miss God’s “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good, acceptable and perfect
will”</i> (see Rom. 12:1-2) in their life?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Be bold to ask God to give you a humble heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be receptive to people speaking into your
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be approachable so that when
people come with a concern, you don’t get defensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take all things to the Lord in prayer. And
repent of any and everything you are convicted of. And then walk in the forgiveness
and power that Christ gives through His Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do this, you will spiritually succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-66877540981306817652016-09-13T17:40:00.001-07:002016-09-13T17:40:43.732-07:00The Futility of Sin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4M9Df9cKVdVSAAWLcEc0AcAg_xW90u2eHos8dgwnvqTb7KVfARTJVqWeg2ThndDAYypmk02UjJ3PBp4cw4khZXh7XEBRGT0ResuA47rMWBvDAdCL4rghthZiID4FWE31CrrFddR8bdae/s1600/caramal+apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4M9Df9cKVdVSAAWLcEc0AcAg_xW90u2eHos8dgwnvqTb7KVfARTJVqWeg2ThndDAYypmk02UjJ3PBp4cw4khZXh7XEBRGT0ResuA47rMWBvDAdCL4rghthZiID4FWE31CrrFddR8bdae/s320/caramal+apple.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sin will promise one thing but deliver another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin is like a caramel covered rotten
apple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin may yield certain pleasures
for a season, but that season will soon run out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God will allow us to hit a wall in our sin in order to show
us that it is not the best for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
loves us enough to discipline us (Hebrews 12). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the message of Hosea 2:1-13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gomer has gone astray from Hosea just like we
go astray from our husband God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we go
astray and pursue “other lovers”, God will have the fruit of that sin
eventually taste bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is designed to
be a “wake-up call” so as to have us get out of spiritual slumber and return to
Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is some really graphic language in this section of God’s
Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel had turned to false gods and
forsaken the Lord their God, just as Gomer had forsaken Hosea and given birth
to some children out of wedlock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are all “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave
the God I love.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, in God’s
severe mercy, He will not allow us to leave easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will put a “hedge of thorns” (Hosea 2:6) around
us and “build a wall against us” (Hosea 2:6) in order to lead us to
repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we repent, He will
welcome us back with open arms and we can be restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is God doing in your life right now to draw you out of
your sin and back to Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
unpleasant things are taking place that are actually the hand of God to get
your attention?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wake up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at where you are headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realize that living outside of God’s will is
never good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your pain is designed by God
to get your attention – that you might go to the Divine Physician for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To listen to my full message on “The Futility of
Sin” from Hosea 2, go to: <a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/</a></span><!--EndFragment-->
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-39503303348820950902016-09-12T05:22:00.003-07:002016-09-12T05:22:40.279-07:00Joy in Affliction<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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This week in my time with God, I ran across 3 verses in 3
consecutive chapters of 2 Corinthians that all speak of having joy in the midst
of affliction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sorrowful, yet always
rejoicing”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2 Cor. 6:10)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“in all our affliction,
I am overflowing with joy” (2 Cor. 7:4).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“for in a severe test
of affliction, their abundance of joy” (2 Cor. 8:2)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This really hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How radical is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be in
some kind of affliction, trial, or hardship and yet have joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is supernatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed it is. God calls us to a supernatural
and radical life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So, how can we have
joy in the midst of afflictions?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy is
internal, whereas affliction is external.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Certainly affliction can be internal, but much affliction comes from
external circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is my
definition of biblical joy:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joy is an
inward state of contentment and satisfaction in the Lord, regardless of what is
happening in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we all know
this can only come about as a <i>“fruit of the Spirit” </i>(Gal. 5).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy is a
fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is more powerful than any affliction we could
experience.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Greater is He that is
in me than ….” (1 Jn. 4:4). All that has been talked about here is a
supernatural work of God, and He does this through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
The same Spirit that raised Jesus is alive within every Christ-follower (Eph.
1:13; Rom. 8:9-11).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy is
based on a constant, and affliction is constantly changing.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Affliction and difficult situations are
constantly changing, but the joy we can have in the Lord is based on the stable
and consistent presence of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy comes
from the positive things that God accomplishes through our affliction.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in hardships that we often get to know
God better and become more like Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces …..” (James 1; Romans 5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God uses affliction to deepen our character
and our compassion for other hurting people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy is
based on what is eternal, but affliction is temporal</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not to minimize the pain that some go
through, but we must always keep the temporal and eternal in perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We serve the eternal God who has promised us
His eternal presence and an eternal home with Him in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what happens, hardships are
temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worse that could happen
is for us to actually loose our life or be martyred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, that would be victory because we
would then go to be with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I consider that this light and
momentary affliction is not worth comparing to the eternal weight of glory
being revealed in us”</i> (Romans 8:18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the martyred missionary Jim Elliot who once said, “He is no fool
who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”</div>
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May you experience joy amidst affliction in the power of the
Holy Spirit for the glory of God!</div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-28964687342846928272016-09-07T08:52:00.002-07:002016-09-07T08:52:39.017-07:00Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFCiZWC5yIhAYyl6Knzf7W-nM6F27otFJgn-wxd9HaTHqMwpi5iGVJQQ6HqB66EWoA7d5Fz0A-idm-V6T6XXDYEZ_q-a1qSeDNkLPrFLZCxvXXfMbZTUBkvx_wLO12iu34idWT1H35DJb/s1600/Mercy-over-judgment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFCiZWC5yIhAYyl6Knzf7W-nM6F27otFJgn-wxd9HaTHqMwpi5iGVJQQ6HqB66EWoA7d5Fz0A-idm-V6T6XXDYEZ_q-a1qSeDNkLPrFLZCxvXXfMbZTUBkvx_wLO12iu34idWT1H35DJb/s320/Mercy-over-judgment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hosea 1 provides an amazing picture of the Gospel of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can this be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was written over 700 years before Christ
was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed it was, but remember
Jesus said that the entire Old Testament is about Him (see Luke 24:44).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is how the Gospel of Jesus is seen in Hosea 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all sinful (Romans 3:23) in that we
commit spiritual whoredom “by forsaking the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and
this judgment for sin came upon the children born to Gomer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were called “no mercy” and “not my
people” (Hosea 1:6, 9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We deserve no
mercy and to NOT be God’s children because of our sin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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However, God is quick to come with grace by declaring that “no
mercy” will “receive mercy” and “not my people” will become “children of the living
God” (Hosea 2:1, 23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This mercy is
possible because there is “one head” (Hosea 1:11), and His name is Jesus, the
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
because we have a living God that all of this mercy is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because Jesus is alive that we can be
forgiven (1 Cor. 15).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, once someone comes to faith in Christ and receives
His mercy, they are declared a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new identity in Christ is spoken of in
Romans 9:25 and 1 Peter 2:10, where both Peter and Paul quote from Hosea
1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool is that!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all the places in the Old Testament to
support salvation by grace through faith, and to speak of how we receive a new
nature when we receive His mercy, they both go to Hosea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For more on how mercy triumphs over judgment, you can listen
to my sermon at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/grace-triumphs-over-judgment/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/grace-triumphs-over-judgment/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-44697070292280968922016-09-01T08:12:00.001-07:002016-09-16T08:08:19.921-07:00Bother God in Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Nci_N5yNppjztvprgt92dibZjtLfFNQc5N-m1TQrwosyqxWEP4htFZVwmEgIc8EvWPkqyPK8SvqYY6d7HGuv_FBCRT7shpLXn_IWEPBgj4mTNRKfcdMUTQ6xGE2GupPhXIZCaVVZehCK/s1600/doorknock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Nci_N5yNppjztvprgt92dibZjtLfFNQc5N-m1TQrwosyqxWEP4htFZVwmEgIc8EvWPkqyPK8SvqYY6d7HGuv_FBCRT7shpLXn_IWEPBgj4mTNRKfcdMUTQ6xGE2GupPhXIZCaVVZehCK/s320/doorknock.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“because this widow
keeps bothering me, I will give her justice”</i> – Luke 18:5<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Do you ever feel like your prayers bother God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever heard someone say, “You don’t
need to keep asking God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have
prayed once, then from that point on just thank Him that the answer is coming;
otherwise you aren’t praying in faith.”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I understand this rational, but Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8 teach us
that certain things are only attained as we persistently pray and bother God!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Recently the Lord spoke to me from these two passages, and I
have now made a “bother God” card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
card is where I list those things I am going to keeping asking, keep knocking,
and keeping seeking the Lord about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are prayer requests that I believe honor God and His kingdom, and
I am going to repeatedly ask until they are answered, or until God shows me to
quit asking for some reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have
a “bother God” list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, I encourage
you to start one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luke 11:8 uses the word “impudence” to speak of persistent
prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the only time this Greek
word is used in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
made up of two words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“not” and “sense
of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Put together this word means to not have bashfulness or shame in coming
to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come boldly. Come
persistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come naked and
unashamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep knocking on the door of
heaven until you get an answer…for His glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wrestle with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bother God with
your requests!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then in Luke 18 we have the more familiar passage about the “persistent
widow” who kept coming to the unjust judge until she got what she needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus tells us that God will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“give justice to His elect, who cry to Him
day and night”</i> (v. 7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe there are mighty answers to pray that await those
who will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“always pray and not lose heart”
</i>(Luke 18:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your “bother God”
list and keep pounding on the doors of heaven!<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-70203748561301675852016-08-30T04:02:00.001-07:002016-08-30T04:02:17.636-07:00Marry a Prostitute???<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Marry a prostitute?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you kidding me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hosea must
have thought this as God gave him the charge to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God wasn’t kidding when He told Hosea to
do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, Hosea was charged
with loving her despite her repeated unfaithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if this were not enough, he was not only
to remain faithful to her, but also allure her back when she was wayward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would God have him do this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one simple reason:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to show the kind of love He has for us, even
when we are unfaithful to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>“Nothing
shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8).</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of us are spiritual harlots at one time or another, and
yet God continues to love us, remain steadfastly committed to us, and allures
us by His Spirit to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How crazy
is this?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a radical book Hosea is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a radical love story in the book of
Hosea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a radical God, who has
radical love for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To understand the book of Hosea it is crucial to know that
God likens our relationship with Him to a marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For
your Maker is your husband” (Isa. 54:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:5).</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reveals how close God desires to be with
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows how intimate He wants our
relationship to be with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also
shows why He would call it whoredom if we give our love and devotion to someone
or something more than to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For the land commits great whoredom by
forsaking the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout this great story in the Bible, we will discover
how God loves us despite our unfaithfulness to Him, and also how this amazing
love demands a response, and that response is that we would forsake our other
“lovers” and be steadfastly devoted to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May the revelation of God’s love motivate you to love the
Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more on the book of Hosea and to hear my opening sermon
on this book, go to:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/marry-a-prostitute-really/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/marry-a-prostitute-really/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-87927038127934464512016-08-24T03:17:00.001-07:002016-08-24T03:17:47.218-07:00Jesus from Genesis to Revelation<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b><i>John 5:39-40</i></b><i> You
diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal
life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to
me to have life.</i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke 24:44-46</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Jesus said
to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the
Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he opened their minds so
they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, This is what is written:
The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Jesus tells us in these two passages that the entire Old
Testament is about Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we also know
the entire New Testament is about Him. Therefore, both the entire Bible is
about Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But how can this be when the Old Testament was written between 400 and
1400 BC.?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is only possible if the
Bible has a divine author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it
does.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
For me personally, it was when I saw how the entire Bible
pointed to Jesus that I was convinced it is the Word of God and Jesus is the
Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you believe Jesus is God’s Son?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever been shown how Jesus is
revealed in every book of the Bible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently I preach on how Jesus is revealed in every book of the
Bible. I encourage you to listen to this message at <a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/</a>
and let me know what you think. Email me at <a href="mailto:davidholt08@gmail.com">davidholt08@gmail.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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If you have questions, I would love to hear them. I am
convinced that wisdom begins with a well-asked question, and truth is never
afraid of a question.<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-1579651870181052852016-08-09T07:42:00.000-07:002016-08-09T07:42:00.599-07:00Biblical Community and Small Groups<div class="MsoNormal">
God wants His people to be deeply connected in community.
Community is “common unity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our common
unity is in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We desperately need
each other in our journey with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God modeled community for us in the Trinity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had a nation (Israel) and the 12
Tribes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus ministered to the masses
and had His 12, and within the 12 He had 3 that He spent even extra time with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have 3 in your life that you could
share almost anything with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do, and I
sure need those men.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not know where I would be today without the small group
interaction I have had over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had a group of 5 men that I met with for 18 years while pastoring in
Wisconsin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are to this day my
closest friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prov. 27:17 says “as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens
another.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have others in your
life that truly sharpen you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find a small group to join!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Start a small group!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be as Hebr.
10:24 says “stir one another to love and good deeds.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most active Christ-followers today will miss Sunday church
at least once every month, any twice a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This makes being in a small group even more important, because when they
miss Sunday worship, they miss out on fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a midweek small group can be the “spiritual
staple” they don’t miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe a
biblically functioning small group is even more important than Sunday worship.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Larry Crabb says, “Life-change most often occurs when truth
is shared in the context of a relationship.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sundays give us truth, but often the close relational piece is missing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more about the biblical basis for small groups, the
benefits of a small group, how the early church met “from house to house”, common
barriers to getting into a small group, and the ingredients in true biblical
community, go to my 2 sermons on small groups at <a href="http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/">http://www.livinghopeathens.org/category/sermons/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-4998240876051884502016-07-25T18:33:00.000-07:002016-07-25T18:33:07.179-07:00The Mess in the World is Getting Me Down<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Today
I was meeting with a strong brother in the Lord, and he shared with me how he
was feeling a cloud of despair and almost depression due to all the bad things
happening in the world right now.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">I
don’t think he is alone in this feeling.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">
</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Many are discouraged, anxious, fearful and sad.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">What is the world coming to?</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">How many more bad things can happen?</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Is it even safe to go to the shopping
center?</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What
does God’s Word say to us in such bleak times?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What truths can we focus on to give us hope and encouragement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Remember that God is in sovereign control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
define sovereignty as He “so” “very” “reigns”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, He gives us a free will, and our exercise of that free will brings
about a lot of terrible things, but through it all, God is still in
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph, who knew hardship well,
said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What man meant for evil, God meant
for good, for the saving of many lives”</i> (Gen. 50:20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of the “saving of many lives”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Use the bad news as a platform for the Good News.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All
that is going on can be a great conversation starter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask people, “Why do you think so many bad
things are happening these days?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
you think is the root cause of all these problems in our world?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from there you can offer the ultimate
solution in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For only Jesus changes a heart, and a heart change is the answer to all
the problems in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Let all negative emotions drive us to the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
I am down, I read the Psalms, because there I find a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“man after God’s own heart”</i> (Acts 13:22) who is often struggling,
but also finding hope in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the
honesty of the Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I love how
they all end in praise, despite how they might have started. Worship is a great
way to lift the human spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants
us to come to Him every time we struggle, so that we might experience Him in a
new way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the God of hope (Rom.
15:13). His Word is the truth we need amidst all the uncertainty in our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend a lot of time with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Be connected with a redemptive community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Fellowship
with Godly people is so helpful during hard times. We need the support of
others. We need a place where we can be brutally honest about our
struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need the wisdom others can
provide. We need to find out what others are doing to stay strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are called to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“bear one another burdens”</i> (Gal. 6:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my friend left our meeting today feeling
a little better, because he had been with two brothers who loved him and the
Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebr. 12:2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This
one is what I need the most right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can so easily “fix my eyes” on the elections, terrorism, mass shootings,
racism, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much is happening so
fast in our world, that it is tempting to fix our eyes on the news instead of
on the Lord Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 12:2 comes
after verse 1 where it says to “put aside every weight and the sin that so
easily entangles us and run with endurance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must not only put aside sin, but we must also put aside any weight
that holds us back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What weight do you
need to lay aside in order to run more freely?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ask God what He wants you to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We
can easily get overwhelmed by all the sin and problems in the world that it
almost immobilizes us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can feel like
there is nothing we can do to help. But this is not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best ways to fight depression is
to do something positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
role for each of us to play in providing solutions and help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must find our niche in the work of God. We
must put our hands to the plow, and discover what God would have us do to make
a difference, even if in just one life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maintain an eternal perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do
not forget that we know how it all ends. We have read the final chapter of the
Book (Revelation 21). There is a heaven, and this is not it. But there is a heaven
that does await all Christ-followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Let not your hearts be troubled ….
For I go to prepare a place for you” </i>(John 14:1-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus encourages our troubled hearts by
reminding us of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All evil and sin
and Satan will one day be destroyed …. Forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And one day righteousness, peace, joy and the Presence of Jesus will
reign forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be certain that you are
going to heaven by repenting of your sins and trusting in Christ alone for your
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you are one of His,
lift up your head and rejoice at what awaits you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come unto me, all
ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt. 11:28-30<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357887044808530531.post-60205125807290043042016-07-23T11:42:00.003-07:002016-07-23T11:44:02.337-07:00The Heart of Jesus<div class="MsoNormal">
What is the heart of Jesus, and what kind of people does He
gravitate toward? Of course He loves all
people (John 3:16 <i>“so loved the world”</i>),
but there are some that His heart particularly goes out to. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He tells us exactly who those are when He began His public
ministry in Luke 4:18, and suprising to many it wasn’t the religious, the
righteous, or the ritualistic, but rather He said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and
recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is clear that the heart of Jesus is to those who are
poor, oppressed, blind, downcast, struggling, hurting, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, He said elsewhere <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“it is not the healthy who need a physician
but the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not come to call
the righteous but sinners”</i> (Mk. 2:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this is why He hung out with the sinners, tax collectors and social
outcasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am so glad that God has a heart of compassion for those
who are hurting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why? Because I am so
needy, and therefore I can draw near to Him, and He will draw near to me (James
4:8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as God comes running toward
the returning prodigal (Luke 15), I can be confident that He comes running to
meet me when I repent of my sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
am lonely, struggling and feeling very unrighteous, I can come to God and know,
He will in no wise caste me out!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Do you come running to God in your sin and pain, or do you
feel that you have to wait until you “get your act together” first?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to Jesus just as you are, and then He
can help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are in sin,
struggling, blind, in prison to some addiction, etc. then you are the very
person Jesus’s heart particularly goes toward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though this is counter-intuitive to our flesh, it is exactly what
the Spirit of God is saying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t miss
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a Savior!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
For more on the "Heart of Jesus", listen to my sermon by that title at http://www.pastordavidholt.com/component/sermonspeaker/sermon/203-the-heart-of-jesus.html?Itemid=71<br />
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Pastor David Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060541415806214314noreply@blogger.com2