tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41589576884752055922024-03-06T06:59:42.471+00:00gomakedisciples18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.comBlogger673125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-67313903015521956782024-01-20T19:58:00.000+00:002024-01-20T19:58:01.908+00:00Jesus at the feast of booths<span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;">John 7</span><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;"><span class="text John-7-1" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">7 </span>After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26318a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26318a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26318a" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> were seeking to kill him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-2" id="en-ESV-26319" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-3" id="en-ESV-26320" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>So his brothers<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26320b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26320b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26320b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-4" id="en-ESV-26321" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-5" id="en-ESV-26322" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>For not even his brothers believed in him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></div><div><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;"><span class="text John-7-6" id="en-ESV-26323" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>Jesus said to them, <span class="woj">“My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-7" id="en-ESV-26324" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-8" id="en-ESV-26325" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>You go up to the feast. I am not<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26325c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26325c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26325c" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text John-7-9" id="en-ESV-26326" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>After saying this, he remained in Galilee.</span></span></div><div><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;"><span class="text John-7-9" style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-10" id="en-ESV-26327"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.</span> <span class="text John-7-11" id="en-ESV-26328"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span>The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?”</span> <span class="text John-7-12" id="en-ESV-26329"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.”</span> <span class="text John-7-13" id="en-ESV-26330"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span>Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-14" id="en-ESV-26331"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </span>About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.</span> <span class="text John-7-15" id="en-ESV-26332"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span>The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26332d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26332d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26332d" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span> when he has never studied?”</span> <span class="text John-7-16" id="en-ESV-26333"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </span>So Jesus answered them, <span class="woj">“My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-17" id="en-ESV-26334"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>If anyone's will is to do God's<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26334e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26334e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26334e" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span> will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-18" id="en-ESV-26335"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-19" id="en-ESV-26336"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”</span></span> <span class="text John-7-20" id="en-ESV-26337"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”</span> <span class="text John-7-21" id="en-ESV-26338"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>Jesus answered them, <span class="woj">“I did one work, and you all marvel at it.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-22" id="en-ESV-26339"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">22 </span>Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-23" id="en-ESV-26340"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">23 </span>If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well?</span></span> <span class="text John-7-24" id="en-ESV-26341"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">24 </span>Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”</span></span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-25" id="en-ESV-26342">Can This Be the Christ?</span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-25"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">25 </span>Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?</span> <span class="text John-7-26" id="en-ESV-26343"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">26 </span>And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?</span> <span class="text John-7-27" id="en-ESV-26344"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">27 </span>But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.”</span> <span class="text John-7-28" id="en-ESV-26345"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">28 </span>So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, <span class="woj">“You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-29" id="en-ESV-26346"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">29 </span>I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”</span></span> <span class="text John-7-30" id="en-ESV-26347"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">30 </span>So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.</span> <span class="text John-7-31" id="en-ESV-26348"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">31 </span>Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-32" id="en-ESV-26349">Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus</span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-32"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">32 </span>The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.</span> <span class="text John-7-33" id="en-ESV-26350"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">33 </span>Jesus then said, <span class="woj">“I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-34" id="en-ESV-26351"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">34 </span>You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.”</span></span> <span class="text John-7-35" id="en-ESV-26352"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">35 </span>The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?</span> <span class="text John-7-36" id="en-ESV-26353"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">36 </span>What does he mean by saying, <span class="woj">‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’</span> and, <span class="woj">‘Where I am you cannot come’</span>?”</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-37" id="en-ESV-26354">Rivers of Living Water</span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-37"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">37 </span>On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, <span class="woj">“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.</span></span> <span class="text John-7-38" id="en-ESV-26355"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">38 </span>Whoever believes in me, as<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-26355f" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26355f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26355f" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</span> the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”</span></span> <span class="text John-7-39" id="en-ESV-26356"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">39 </span>Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.</span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-40" id="en-ESV-26357">Division Among the People</span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-40"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">40 </span>When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.”</span> <span class="text John-7-41" id="en-ESV-26358"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">41 </span>Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?</span> <span class="text John-7-42" id="en-ESV-26359"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">42 </span>Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”</span> <span class="text John-7-43" id="en-ESV-26360"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">43 </span>So there was a division among the people over him.</span> <span class="text John-7-44" id="en-ESV-26361"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">44 </span>Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-7-45" id="en-ESV-26362"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">45 </span>The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”</span> <span class="text John-7-46" id="en-ESV-26363"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">46 </span>The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”</span> <span class="text John-7-47" id="en-ESV-26364"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">47 </span>The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?</span> <span class="text John-7-48" id="en-ESV-26365"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">48 </span>Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?</span> <span class="text John-7-49" id="en-ESV-26366"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">49 </span>But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”</span> <span class="text John-7-50" id="en-ESV-26367"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">50 </span>Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,</span> <span class="text John-7-51" id="en-ESV-26368"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">51 </span>“Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”</span> <span class="text John-7-52" id="en-ESV-26369"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">52 </span>They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”</span></p></span></span></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-62604876353424184162023-12-02T21:54:00.001+00:002023-12-02T21:54:30.539+00:00With Jesus came a new covenant ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcxKHh5gYjuFpe0YFeV_A68rsZ0pSGRWE1BoNMPJigBLDyvNzPZtsUtvsmZQ5EOBDjHOksatfD5mMjADYoTbtG8ZEc_7rWpIbqZ3mvR9o8ujQf0HKvnIKhkZR9ECuNa6ZT_4DKxOOr8V06sYEElsWBiGYrrz2hTr2uxIwaHlRf3AMK0oRK4VdmAXb3iws" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcxKHh5gYjuFpe0YFeV_A68rsZ0pSGRWE1BoNMPJigBLDyvNzPZtsUtvsmZQ5EOBDjHOksatfD5mMjADYoTbtG8ZEc_7rWpIbqZ3mvR9o8ujQf0HKvnIKhkZR9ECuNa6ZT_4DKxOOr8V06sYEElsWBiGYrrz2hTr2uxIwaHlRf3AMK0oRK4VdmAXb3iws=w520-h391" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WITH JESUS CAME A NEW COVENANT…. NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW. </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">HEBREWS 8: 6-9 and more.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. KJV</div></div><br /><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-69249198394044799462023-11-17T10:10:00.001+00:002023-11-17T10:10:24.362+00:00Use your gifts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihNXgU7Kudp9BbFWbeonjxkoYSz1fStU9WDQDKF6t3Q5DpkeKPp6HbVaaLIdcLD9ufCa5z8OSMlIGoU2Rb37H-4qhidjdKAyVq-F1nsuyLvwIAAhVLE2cFCNZQr4YMe7YaFKPHFE3tKWRLK7sgA_qOZnOVtrI69IDc8iKgyIAuX6HrJqgSOVDE8O05nX4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihNXgU7Kudp9BbFWbeonjxkoYSz1fStU9WDQDKF6t3Q5DpkeKPp6HbVaaLIdcLD9ufCa5z8OSMlIGoU2Rb37H-4qhidjdKAyVq-F1nsuyLvwIAAhVLE2cFCNZQr4YMe7YaFKPHFE3tKWRLK7sgA_qOZnOVtrI69IDc8iKgyIAuX6HrJqgSOVDE8O05nX4=w496-h496" width="496" /></a></div>If you're an encourager, encourage, if you're <!--AddThis Button BEGIN--><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-16309507719727270282023-11-17T08:27:00.005+00:002023-11-17T10:12:38.327+00:00Luke 5:17-26<div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;">Spiritual Bread-Fast 16/11/23</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="text Luke-5-17">with Jude and Sope Emelifeonwu </span></h3><div><span class="text Luke-5-17"><br /></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.5rem;">Luke 5:17-26 </span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Luke-5-17" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, some proud religious law-keepers and teachers of the Law were sitting by Him. They had come from every town in the countries of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was there to heal them. </span><span class="text Luke-5-18" id="en-NLV-25126" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. </span><span class="text Luke-5-19" id="en-NLV-25127" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus. </span><span class="text Luke-5-20" id="en-NLV-25128" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, <span class="woj">“Friend, your sins are forgiven.”</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Luke-5-21" id="en-NLV-25129"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers thought to themselves, “Who is this Man Who speaks as if He is God? Who can forgive sins but God only?” </span><span class="text Luke-5-22" id="en-NLV-25130"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">22 </span>Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to them,<span class="woj"> “Why do you think this way in your hearts? </span></span><span class="text Luke-5-23" id="en-NLV-25131"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">23 </span>Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Luke-5-24" id="en-NLV-25132"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">24 </span>“So that you may know the Son of Man has the right and the power on earth to forgive sins,”</span> He said to the man who could not move his body, <span class="woj">“I say to you, get up. Take your bed and go to your home.” </span></span><span class="text Luke-5-25" id="en-NLV-25133"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">25 </span>At once the sick man got up in front of them. He took his bed and went to his home thanking God. </span><span class="text Luke-5-26" id="en-NLV-25134"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">26 </span>All those who were there were surprised and gave thanks to God, saying, “We have seen very special things today.”</span></p></div><div>God sent men determined to succeed. God will raise men with determination to see you succeed!</div><div>These guys opened up the roof . Your sins are forgiven. Jesus make room for you, we must go up to the roof ! ...</div><div><br /></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-75853817618624999752023-11-13T18:26:00.002+00:002023-11-13T18:26:32.229+00:00Today, I read the story of Samson!<div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBUPvp_Kif33Rh05sRmXH5f9tAlkrLO1E1BopsAf2rq3C3uI7LNIalOsEZ-OZTZW_SC6hosNkS5cLPKN8k_kYgivTm2uSp6oiV5iXTx6KvUJlVnJKg4AIKonvxJj92f6hXQJf1L-omTM4fGpvZMG_nb9niCkovOL5X2WBsPOVSWYhQO1AR1ed_E5h2Cdg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="236" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBUPvp_Kif33Rh05sRmXH5f9tAlkrLO1E1BopsAf2rq3C3uI7LNIalOsEZ-OZTZW_SC6hosNkS5cLPKN8k_kYgivTm2uSp6oiV5iXTx6KvUJlVnJKg4AIKonvxJj92f6hXQJf1L-omTM4fGpvZMG_nb9niCkovOL5X2WBsPOVSWYhQO1AR1ed_E5h2Cdg" width="265" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is found in Judges 13. It's not one my favourite passages in the Old testament though every time I read it, it's clearer in my mind! As i was looking for a commentary, I came across this study on David Johnathan Inc website. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The angel of the Lord appears to the wife of Manoah promising that she will conceive and bear a son who must be set apart to God from the moment of his birth. Manoah asks to see the angel of the Lord who does repeat the instructions that He gave his wife : abstain from wine and refrain from having his hair cut....</span><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;">Have you ever considered that the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament days was temporary and occasional: the Spirit of God moved Samson</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="redItalic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #c0392b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">“</span><span class="strongBlueItalic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #2980b9; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">at times</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="redItalic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #c0392b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">in the camp of Dan”</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">(13:25, AV). </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;">How reassuring that in the New Testament times, His ministry is not temporary but permanent, not occasional but continuous. Hallelujah!</span></span></span><p class="bibleIndent" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #c0392b; font-feature-settings: "kern"; font-kerning: normal; line-height: 1.35em; margin: 0px 1em 0.625em 0px; padding: 0px 1.25em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever—the Spirit of truth…” (John 14:16-17, NIV)</span></span></p><p class="bibleIndent" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #c0392b; font-feature-settings: "kern"; font-kerning: normal; line-height: 1.35em; margin: 0px 1em 0.625em 0px; padding: 0px 1.25em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What about you brothers and sis, what do you think of this story of Samson?</span></span></p><div><br /><!--AddThis Button BEGIN--><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><br /></div></div></div></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-65050340921853205602023-11-13T17:04:00.006+00:002023-11-13T17:04:54.718+00:00Love is patient!<div><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx2dgqlpztoZxOVBeTQFTP6i4NzUz_jrVEDJ5jUbSmJzF-cQQEYId-ccmWLFU2rh2Fl94W-KcM4kc_IznnmryJWiyDzyPoIKiaaIw4DZHFra4Z9en7-ptsEBS5Bj39VmXmhysrGDUyENw-6unJBVDoKOAm3ah9dTt7Wl3KxwcdJMcLkMxoc9b2jSqPt0Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="674" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx2dgqlpztoZxOVBeTQFTP6i4NzUz_jrVEDJ5jUbSmJzF-cQQEYId-ccmWLFU2rh2Fl94W-KcM4kc_IznnmryJWiyDzyPoIKiaaIw4DZHFra4Z9en7-ptsEBS5Bj39VmXmhysrGDUyENw-6unJBVDoKOAm3ah9dTt7Wl3KxwcdJMcLkMxoc9b2jSqPt0Q" width="180" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 1.2rem;">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</span></span></span></div><div><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-ESV-28653" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-ESV-28654" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28654b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28654b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28654b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-ESV-28655" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-ESV-28656" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</span><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><br /></span><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">PRAYERS</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of family. Thank You for my parents, siblings, husband, wife, children, and every member of our family. I give You praise and glorify Your name for making me a member of my present family. I express my profound gratitude for Your wisdom and commit myself to love You and others, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Today, O LORD, I stand in the authority in the name of Jesus and bind every spirit of discord, bitterness, and resentment in my family. I declare that we will walk in unity and understanding, extending grace and forgiveness to one another. By the power of your Holy Spirit, Father, I release a spirit of patience and kindness within our family dynamics, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">3. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast out any spirit of envy or jealousy that may try to infiltrate our hearts. I declare that we will celebrate and support one another's successes, knowing that your blessings upon one are blessings upon all. I release a spirit of genuine joy and contentment in our family, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">4. I break the stronghold of pride and self-centeredness in my family. I declare that, from today on, we will honor and value each family member. We will put the needs of others above our own. We receive a spirit of humility and servanthood among us, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">5. I bind and command every spirit of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness to leave our family in the name of Jesus. I declare that we will choose forgiveness and let go of past hurts. By the power of Christ's love, I release a spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and emotional healing in our family, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">6. I stop any evil spirit of harm or division from entering our family. I release a spirit of unity, security, and unconditional love within our family lineage. I declare that we will protect and cherish one another; we will create a safe and nurturing environment where love thrives and where everyone finds their purpose, in Jesus' name. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">7. Father, I declare an increase in trust and loyalty within our family. I bind every spirit of doubt and suspicion and release a spirit of trust and faithfulness among us. By your power, I release a deepening of the bonds of trust and reliance upon one another, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">8. May the spirit of hope and optimism for the future possess every member of my family. I bind every spirit of discouragement and negativity. I declare that we will believe and support one another's dreams and aspirations, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">9. Father, grant us the grace and wisdom to persevere and overcome challenges that try to tear us apart. Release a spirit of resilience and determination upon us. Teach us teamwork and support because we are stronger together, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">10. Thank You, LORD, for the abounding love you have poured into me and everyone in my family. By your authority, I declare that your love will be a guiding force in all that we do. Your love will bind us together. Your love will flow through us, transforming our relationships and bringing glory to your name, in Jesus' name.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">MEDITATION</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Love is the cornerstone of a thriving family. When there is love, we create an environment where trust, respect, and unity flourish. Love is not merely an emotion but a choice — an intentional commitment to prioritize the well-being and happiness of our family members. Meditate on how we can embody the qualities of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 in our interactions with our family.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">CONTINUE TO:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Pray for God's love to permeate every aspect of your family's life. Ask God to fill your hearts with His unconditional love and to help you demonstrate that love to one another.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Pray for love and understanding to abound between family members. Ask God to cultivate a spirit of patience, kindness, and humility within your family relationships.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">3. Pray for God's grace to heal any broken relationships within your family. Ask God to bring reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration where there may be hurt or division.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">LET'S CONNECT</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Do you have a specific need in your family? Share in the comments, and I will join you in prayer.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Share this prayer to bless others.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Something good is on your way.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/drdanielokpara?__cft__[0]=AZXx3KZGgXjGZvdyDGCY-5YTFsIeLaHN9ZPhvr6T28XESQ1wiKjg2q4pWOv7cLnJzFW0qMvbg6WLeo3SuYaoxcwlDEmrD6mwYTQNuu0WPPQTwD73Gsg_m_jDX249h7E_U63jlDGGVVi3-wd3I-8Zrf5-&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Daniel Okpara</span></span></a></span> | <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/iamdanielokpara?__cft__[0]=AZXx3KZGgXjGZvdyDGCY-5YTFsIeLaHN9ZPhvr6T28XESQ1wiKjg2q4pWOv7cLnJzFW0qMvbg6WLeo3SuYaoxcwlDEmrD6mwYTQNuu0WPPQTwD73Gsg_m_jDX249h7E_U63jlDGGVVi3-wd3I-8Zrf5-&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daniel Okpara</span></span></a></span> | <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/lightbearer247?__cft__[0]=AZXx3KZGgXjGZvdyDGCY-5YTFsIeLaHN9ZPhvr6T28XESQ1wiKjg2q4pWOv7cLnJzFW0qMvbg6WLeo3SuYaoxcwlDEmrD6mwYTQNuu0WPPQTwD73Gsg_m_jDX249h7E_U63jlDGGVVi3-wd3I-8Zrf5-&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Light Bearer</span></span></a></span> | Shining Light Christian Centre</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/prayersforyourfamily?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXx3KZGgXjGZvdyDGCY-5YTFsIeLaHN9ZPhvr6T28XESQ1wiKjg2q4pWOv7cLnJzFW0qMvbg6WLeo3SuYaoxcwlDEmrD6mwYTQNuu0WPPQTwD73Gsg_m_jDX249h7E_U63jlDGGVVi3-wd3I-8Zrf5-&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#prayersforyourfamily</a></span></div></div></span></div></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-31860524214286059302023-10-31T13:10:00.005+00:002023-10-31T13:10:44.034+00:00There is power in your name! <!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fXM3k8EIbDs" width="320" youtube-src-id="fXM3k8EIbDs"></iframe></div><b>Mitch Wong</b><div>God we believe, God we believe<br /><div>You are the way when there seems to be no way</div><div>God we are trusting you</div></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-9406944562356077832023-10-31T10:05:00.001+00:002023-11-17T10:12:20.175+00:00I am the light of the world!<span face="quasimoda, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #121212; font-size: 24px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9JfOvEprac9AdiODrraiUCwNIIiB0hP21j49jq1OmFwiZ52YdM6RfHIWVUuPcEvYOEzyVtr-RW2whkgXTBy_Aax0J61JOqRraNQoCfz3ZfUEZPZGq1kyEiEpfjuIwy9M1EaW7TV0OMZ_nbgcc7p7CsARprUWHD7lhKiLZ8v4tgO_dQE940CkuL7c4Uc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="640" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw9JfOvEprac9AdiODrraiUCwNIIiB0hP21j49jq1OmFwiZ52YdM6RfHIWVUuPcEvYOEzyVtr-RW2whkgXTBy_Aax0J61JOqRraNQoCfz3ZfUEZPZGq1kyEiEpfjuIwy9M1EaW7TV0OMZ_nbgcc7p7CsARprUWHD7lhKiLZ8v4tgO_dQE940CkuL7c4Uc=w414-h283" width="414" /></a></div><br />Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.</span><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><span face="quasimoda, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #121212; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-12" id="en-ESV-26382">I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12)</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-12"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, <span class="woj"><b><span style="color: red;">“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”</span></b></span></span></p></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-71673758521080198742023-10-28T08:45:00.005+01:002023-10-28T08:45:35.690+01:00You Are My Refuge<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-142-1" id="en-ESV-16288">You Are My Refuge</span></h3><h4 class="psalm-title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-142-1">A Maskil<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-16288a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-16288a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20142&version=ESV#fen-ESV-16288a" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #952004; cursor: pointer; min-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.</span></h4><div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="chapter-3"><span class="text Ps-142-1" style="position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: -2em; line-height: 0.8em; position: absolute;">142 </span>With my voice I cry out to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-1" style="position: relative;">with my voice I plead for mercy to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-2" id="en-ESV-16289" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>I pour out my complaint before him;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-2" style="position: relative;">I tell my trouble before him.</span></span></p></div><div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-142-3" id="en-ESV-16290" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>When my spirit faints within me,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-3" style="position: relative;">you know my way!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-3" style="position: relative;">In the path where I walk</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-3" style="position: relative;">they have hidden a trap for me.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-4" id="en-ESV-16291" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>Look to the right and see:</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-4" style="position: relative;">there is none who takes notice of me;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-4" style="position: relative;">no refuge remains to me;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-4" style="position: relative;">no one cares for my soul.</span></span></p></div><div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-142-5" id="en-ESV-16292" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>I cry to you, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-5" style="position: relative;">I say, “You are my refuge,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-5" style="position: relative;">my portion in the land of the living.”</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-6" id="en-ESV-16293" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>Attend to my cry,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-6" style="position: relative;">for I am brought very low!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-6" style="position: relative;">Deliver me from my persecutors,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-6" style="position: relative;">for they are too strong for me!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-7" id="en-ESV-16294" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Bring me out of prison,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-7" style="position: relative;">that I may give thanks to your name!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-142-7" style="position: relative;">The righteous will surround me,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-142-7" style="position: relative;">for you will deal bountifully with me.</span></span></p></div><div class="footnotes" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; min-width: 0px;"><h4 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; min-width: 0px;">Footnotes</h4></div><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-341743235951497032023-09-30T09:03:00.005+01:002023-10-28T08:50:35.287+01:00The reign of King Solomon!<p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYpToDQ7AnkIyA7g2ocOmApUsKvToZQbxNKXQkLeQ4vy5iWIOsxbeY7brRw4rzlKazRRKApg73aZuaYaoVegIXT1lp8R9C8EQevrF_ChBrqWAjWxeedVn8vOwEcOwKlI5vqRdUEI110l8HW912U-WXx6QDdBCQ00PNPomCL2D50bGVVxzJ2ugIhm-HsSM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3537" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYpToDQ7AnkIyA7g2ocOmApUsKvToZQbxNKXQkLeQ4vy5iWIOsxbeY7brRw4rzlKazRRKApg73aZuaYaoVegIXT1lp8R9C8EQevrF_ChBrqWAjWxeedVn8vOwEcOwKlI5vqRdUEI110l8HW912U-WXx6QDdBCQ00PNPomCL2D50bGVVxzJ2ugIhm-HsSM" width="292" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">1 King 11:42</span></b><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">The reign of King Solomon is a rather bittersweet one. Here he was, the wisest man who had ever lived, ruling over a powerful, wealthy nation at <a class="libraryPreview" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/273/the-fruit-of-spirit-peace.htm" id="sr-273-2154" title="library">peace</a>, yet the evidence that we glean from Scripture is that his forty-year reign was the prelude to disaster. As Solomon breathes his last breath, the kingdom is poised on the brink of rebellion because of heavy taxation and forced labor (see <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9072/eVerseID/9074" id="9072-9074-5890" name="90729074" title="verse">I Kings 9:20-22</a>; <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9153/eVerseID/9157" id="9153-9157-10652" name="91539157" title="verse">12:1-5</a>); his heir, Rehoboam, is proud and listens only to his foolish friends (see <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9158/eVerseID/9163" id="9158-9163-12744" name="91589163" title="verse">I Kings 12:6-11</a>); and <a class="libraryPreview" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/booklet/id/421/god-is-what.htm" id="sr-421-22890" title="library">God</a> has been shunted aside to share glory with a menagerie of other deities (see what happened in Israel immediately after his reign; <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9177/eVerseID/9185" id="9177-9185-29751" name="91779185" title="verse">I Kings 12:25-33</a>).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">The Bible provides us both sides of the coin of Solomon's time on the throne of Israel. He presided over Israel's Golden Age and the building of the Temple and a grand palace for the royal family (see <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/8865/eVerseID/8865" id="8865-8865-1502" name="88658865" title="verse">I Kings 4:20</a>—8:66). The Queen of Sheba and countless others visited Jerusalem to gaze on the wonders collected there by the king and to hear his <a class="libraryPreview" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/5721/biblical-wisdom.htm" id="audio-5721-16276" title="library">wisdom</a> firsthand (see <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/8874/eVerseID/8879" id="8874-8879-23720" name="88748879" title="verse">I Kings 4:29-34</a>; <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9081/eVerseID/9093" id="9081-9093-14552" name="90819093" title="verse">10:1-13</a>). Scripture informs us that gold and silver were as common in Israel's capital as baser metals were elsewhere (<a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9094/eVerseID/9103" id="9094-9103-5319" name="90949103" title="verse">I Kings 10:14-23</a>; <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/11392/eVerseID/11392" id="11392-11392-2446" name="1139211392" title="verse">II Chronicles 9:27</a>). Solomon was so strong and the nations around were so weak that no one dared disturb the peace of the time (except at the very end of his reign; <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9123/eVerseID/9149" id="9123-9149-6495" name="91239149" title="verse">I Kings 11:14-40</a>).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">But the underside of the coin is far darker. Though Solomon had been humble as a young man, asking God for understanding so that he could properly rule and judge his people, his pride soon led him to disobedience. He began to flout the instructions given by God through <a class="libraryPreview" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/2226/moses-servant-god.htm" id="audio-2226-23252" title="library">Moses</a> to Israel's kings (<a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/5379/eVerseID/5385" id="5379-5385-1239" name="53795385" title="verse">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a>). He made alliances with foreign nations, particularly Egypt, marrying hundreds of domestic and foreign princesses to cement these ties (<a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9110/eVerseID/9112" id="9110-9112-29605" name="91109112" title="verse">I Kings 11:1-3</a>). Of course, these women brought their own gods and goddesses to worship, and it was not long before Solomon was honoring their wishes to have various shrines and "high places" built to house their idols (see <a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/9113/eVerseID/9117" id="9113-9117-17118" name="91139117" title="verse">I Kings 11:4-8</a>).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">As usually happens, when the people saw that Solomon had compromised with idolatry, they followed suit, visiting the ancient groves and hilltop altars that had lain unfrequented but not forgotten. Solomon's reign set an unfortunate standard for most of the kings of Judah who followed him, and the people sank deeper into lifestyles contrary to the <a href="https://www.truegospel.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Basics.tour/ID/6/What-are-Laws-of-Kingdom.htm">law of God</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">The number forty is frequently a biblical indication of testing. Solomon received forty years from God to see if he would follow His ways or not. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">The <a class="libraryPreview" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/3194/preface-of-book-ecclesiates.htm" id="audio-3194-29485" title="library">book of Ecclesiastes</a> indicates that, perhaps at the end of his life, Solomon made an effort to repent—or at least he realized that, in the end, it is a person's chief duty to fear God and keep His commandments (<a class="verseRef" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/17537/eVerseID/17537" id="17537-17537-8006" name="1753717537" title="verse">Ecclesiastes 12:13</a>). We really do not know if he passed or failed his test, but we can learn a great lesson from the forty years of his wonderful, terrible reign.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;"><b>Richard T. Ritenbaugh</b><br /></p><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-75010764618421487062023-08-27T19:37:00.005+01:002023-09-30T09:04:53.092+01:00In praise of small churches!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTKUssye9I4kQSNWuq_Jkx3PpiHsux_heGkw9S6imv0XkOOy8uhjOvgpLbi3Cx6IyqT-5w3d8jXZ8dW-tczBgsB2ZoNJDdapub5dkQI-a6XogadWppSlb8oPPbvZV1rNS9T7LDzzBDypDOFzL-H1yrQRA3g1jf3CxYfG2icd_X7xVyDQXr77bSaAxigZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTKUssye9I4kQSNWuq_Jkx3PpiHsux_heGkw9S6imv0XkOOy8uhjOvgpLbi3Cx6IyqT-5w3d8jXZ8dW-tczBgsB2ZoNJDdapub5dkQI-a6XogadWppSlb8oPPbvZV1rNS9T7LDzzBDypDOFzL-H1yrQRA3g1jf3CxYfG2icd_X7xVyDQXr77bSaAxigZg=w423-h318" width="423" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Dear friends, after enjoying 'my' zoom, I thought I would research things about small churches, and I found a very interesting article, I would like to share a few ideas with you! We moved to a small town in France, Civray (south of Poitiers) in 2016. We attend a small church that counts about 50 English people and a handful of French people. We have two retired pastors, my hubby who is English, and our friend who is Scottish. <!--AddThis Button BEGIN--><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><br /></div><div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 21px; font-weight: bolder;">A small church puts everyone to work</span></div><div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">The larger the organization of any kind, the smaller the percentage that will handle the actual work. In a small church, everyone is needed to work and, if it's a "great small church," everyone is put to work.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">A small church uses volunteers everywhere--in the office, cleaning the buildings, mowing the lawn, teaching children, leading choirs, playing the piano. A small church will not hire a painting contractor to refurbish the buildings; it will have a "work day" and the members will do it all on a Saturday. A small church, one that does it right, will come closer than most to fulfilling Romans 12:3-8 where each member uses his/her <a href="https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-are-spiritual-gifts-understanding-the-types-and-discovering-yours.html" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: #004e98; text-decoration: inherit;">spiritual gifts</a> to do the work God gives to them.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 21px; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">A small church can excel at fellowship</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">My personal prescription for Christian fellowship is: each member of the church loves the Lord, likes each other, and welcomes the newcomer to their midst. When they work together, they have fun doing it. If a newcomer feels intimidated on walking into a huge religious edifice, he will feel more comfortable entering a small, humbler church building. A small church can take advantage of this.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Instead of bemoaning the absence of stained glass windows and pipe organs and vaulted ceilings, the members of a small church will recognize that those can be negatives to an unchurched fellow entering for the first time. He is far more likely to feel at home in New Home Church No. 2 than the First-Metro Church. The danger with small churches, of course, is that they will have great fellowship within their own membership but freeze out the newcomer. The members have known each other for so long, they may function more like a large Sunday School class than a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">At the invitation of the pastor, I was visiting Bridgeton Baptist Church a few miles from my house. The church sits in a lovely middle-class neighborhood but has not grown in years. The pastor was trying to find the key to bringing in new people. "If we don't," he said, "this church is going to die within one generation." The forty or fifty members seemed to average 60 in age. That morning, I met several of them and enjoyed their fellowship. Later, I told the pastor, "What your people see as its problem, you should turn to an advantage."The problem, most of them felt, was the age of the members. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Bearing in mind the Lord is faithful and He will look after His flock. In Matthew 16, 13-26 we read: </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Merriweather Web", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." <b>15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." </b>17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Merriweather Web", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;"> </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Inspired by this article: In praise of Small Churches! by <span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-transform: uppercase;">JOE MCKEEVER</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-transform: uppercase;"> - </span><span style="color: #666666;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Original publication date: </em><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">February 23, 2010</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">What about you, my dear readers, it would be lovely to hear from you !</span></span></p></span></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-75537253504805216182023-08-17T15:35:00.001+01:002023-08-17T15:35:23.223+01:00Back from my holidays in London!<!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_30nZ6HmXHIC1BMKWl5ekfW-I3XZ73lI_Hz4zqiMV0AjDP2EHzzChQPtpApCgGnlSnT89oy2IjHtamqGbzhNgG0xhTAT7PdXw8tju2lWLOv9I2AMELnBTdX1xb7J5hstI2gWcDC0tTYlY_CjY-3kyEK74eIzwHlW0F2XqlHaUrh2YvnBUvFaLEzExaM/s2588/20230629_073753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="1687" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_30nZ6HmXHIC1BMKWl5ekfW-I3XZ73lI_Hz4zqiMV0AjDP2EHzzChQPtpApCgGnlSnT89oy2IjHtamqGbzhNgG0xhTAT7PdXw8tju2lWLOv9I2AMELnBTdX1xb7J5hstI2gWcDC0tTYlY_CjY-3kyEK74eIzwHlW0F2XqlHaUrh2YvnBUvFaLEzExaM/w360-h316/20230629_073753.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a T-shirt that my friend Janet gave me; I am sure that you also know the song that has the same lyrics! </span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” </span><span style="background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;"><span jsaction="click:sKUsF" role="tooltip" style="outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><g-bubble data-ci="" data-du="200" data-tp="5" jsaction="R9S7w:VqIRre;" jscontroller="QVaUhf" jsshadow=""><span class="c5aZPb" data-enable-toggle-animation="true" data-extra-container-classes="ZLo7Eb" data-hover-hide-delay="1000" data-hover-open-delay="500" data-send-open-event="true" data-theme="0" data-ved="2ahUKEwin-KS95OOAAxUyUaQEHfvpB6kQmpgGegQIExAD" data-width="250" jsaction="vQLyHf" jsname="d6wfac" jsslot="" role="button" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0"><span class="JPfdse" data-bubble-link="" data-segment-text="John 14" jsname="ukx3I" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgba(4, 12, 40, 0.5);">John 14</span></span></g-bubble></span>:6</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”</span><span style="background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">John 8:12</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”</span><span style="background-color: #8ed1fc; text-align: center;"> – Deuteronomy 31:8</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #8ed1fc; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” <b style="background-color: #01ffff;">– Hebrews 13:5</b></span></span></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-12546097056003570262023-06-20T13:19:00.007+01:002023-06-20T13:57:56.462+01:00Have you ever watched Shaun the sheep?<!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NsWd15iLDHs" width="320" youtube-src-id="NsWd15iLDHs"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until today, I heard about the cartoon Shaun the Sheep but I never had the time to watch it. So this afternoon, as I am looking for more resources to teach English to 'my' French students, I thought I'd use this cartoon. I am really pleased to say that I will start to draw some vocabulary worksheets and I am sure the kiddies will enjoy the music, the story line and the way the characters interact! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have a blessed day in Jesus'name wherever you are! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-1705115589548414912023-06-18T18:06:00.000+01:002023-06-18T18:06:32.370+01:00John 5 The healing at the pool on the Sabbath!<!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iBOIKa-vSfw" width="320" youtube-src-id="iBOIKa-vSfw"></iframe></div><br />N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-69606543095617955212023-05-04T10:12:00.004+01:002023-05-04T10:12:40.860+01:00Return to me with all your heart!<div><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Joel 2</span></div><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><div><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><br /></span></div>“Yet even now,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="position: relative;">“return to me with all your heart,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Joel-2-13" id="en-ESV-22325" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span>and rend your hearts and not your garments.”</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Joel-2-13" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Return to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-13" style="position: relative;">for he is gracious and merciful,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Joel-2-13" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-13" style="position: relative;">and he relents over disaster.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Joel-2-14" id="en-ESV-22326" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </span>Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-14" style="position: relative;">and leave a blessing behind him,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="text Joel-2-14" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">a grain offering and a drink offering</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-14" style="position: relative;">for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God?</span></span><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-47293229745700909772023-04-18T11:29:00.002+01:002023-04-18T11:29:20.268+01:00We preach Christ crucified!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj55nbqFa88G6yaoxpQHBbXcewIC2KyunE4vjCxX4ZBmZUZCwqHM3prGMNqTBzDGyHQFSoQQGllFfyXWcg664wraDONHYFzVTNxwqZq6_ZvV1d-cmMxdnsG-48HlYVNi2lT783bUXOvHiGA_WrUMZyYRsAgOHXPCYQLYX0q53wVXWkaEt6m2qcslNSy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj55nbqFa88G6yaoxpQHBbXcewIC2KyunE4vjCxX4ZBmZUZCwqHM3prGMNqTBzDGyHQFSoQQGllFfyXWcg664wraDONHYFzVTNxwqZq6_ZvV1d-cmMxdnsG-48HlYVNi2lT783bUXOvHiGA_WrUMZyYRsAgOHXPCYQLYX0q53wVXWkaEt6m2qcslNSy=w364-h364" width="364" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-18"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">18 </span></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God</span>.</span></b></span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-19" id="en-ESV-28366" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>For it is written,</span></p><div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-19" style="position: relative;">“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-1-19" style="position: relative;">and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”</span></span></p></div><p class="first-line-none top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-20" id="en-ESV-28367"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?</span> </p><p class="first-line-none top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-21" id="en-ESV-28368"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28368b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28368b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28368b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> to save those who believe.</span> </p><p class="first-line-none top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-22" id="en-ESV-28369"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">22 </span>For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,</span> </p><p class="first-line-none top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-23" id="en-ESV-28370"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">23 </span>but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-24" id="en-ESV-28371"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">24 </span>but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-25" id="en-ESV-28372"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">25 </span>For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-26" id="en-ESV-28373"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">26 </span>For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28373c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28373c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28373c" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.</span> </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text 1Cor-1-27" id="en-ESV-28374"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">27 </span>But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-28" id="en-ESV-28375"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">28 </span>God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-29" id="en-ESV-28376"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">29 </span>so that no human being<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28376d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28376d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28376d" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span> might boast in the presence of God.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-30" id="en-ESV-28377"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">30 </span>And because of him<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28377e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28377e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28377e" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span> you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,</span> <span class="text 1Cor-1-31" id="en-ESV-28378"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">31 </span>so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”</span></p><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-42016976439305104082023-04-18T10:42:00.009+01:002023-04-18T10:42:41.389+01:00The grace of God!<div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy on us!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. </span><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Titus 2:11-12 </span><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END--></div></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-2363046867371539562023-04-17T18:13:00.000+01:002023-04-17T18:13:01.599+01:00Who Were the Inklings besides C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien?<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 12px 0px !important;">There’s been a certain amount of confusion about what defined an Inkling. To clarify, the Inklings were a group of British writers/scholars who met on Thursday evenings to read their work at Lewis’ rooms at Magdalen College, Oxford. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 12px 0px !important;">The Inklings also had less formal Tuesday morning meetings, usually at Oxford pub The Eagle and Child (or as they called it, “The Bird and the Baby”). Lewis started the Inklings in the early 1930s, taking the name from a disbanded Oxford group. Most of the Inklings were Oxford scholars (some, like Hugo Dyson, taught at other institutions, then moved to Oxford). The Inklings stopped meeting in 1949, apparently due to lost momentum. Some members continued meeting in other contexts.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 12px 0px !important;">Humphrey Carpenter’s seminal study <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3O8ukFm" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Inklings</a></em> lists 19 men who are considered canonical Inklings (David Bratman's “<a href="https://dbratman.net/inklings.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A Handlist of Books by the Inklings</a>” <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3mPDw5x" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"></a></em>lists their works). Occasional or one-time attendees included writer Roy Campbell and fantasy novelist E.R. Eddison (the Mythopoeic Society’s <a href="https://www.mythsoc.org/inklings.htm#biographies" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">overview of the Inklings</a> defines them as guests).</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 12px 0px !important;">Alongside guests, various people met the Inklings in other contexts. Roger Lancelyn Green and W.H. Auden knew individual Inklings but didn’t attend Inklings meetings. T.S. Eliot knew one Inkling, <a href="https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/why-was-charles-williams-the-odd-inkling.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Charles Williams</a>, and befriended Lewis in 1959. Before that, Lewis saw Eliot as an enemy (or at least a <a href="https://apilgriminnarnia.com/2021/08/30/tolkien-lewis-eliot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">representative of trends</a> he disliked).</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 12px 0px !important;">Similarly, <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/fiction/10-inspiring-christian-mystery-authors-you-can-read-today.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Dorothy L. Sayers</a> was friends with two Inklings (Lewis and Williams). Joy Davidman married Lewis in 1956 and knew his brother Warnie. These women certainly <a href="https://apilgriminnarnia.com/2017/03/08/the-women/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3366b4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">had a great impact</a> on more than one Inkling. However, scholars usually refer to them as part of “the Inklings’ circle” or “the Inklings and their associates.”</p><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-24680414305371280852023-04-17T15:34:00.002+01:002023-04-17T16:03:32.926+01:00There is none good but One, and that is God!<div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #0f1419; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqsHt01e7OCnXVSlbkMtsRTi5pen3aC377UiW1I7B44hZ5yOK95hI19TpRdfwYuLogHKbN8T7ypSC8RnkseyMt3Y5uIURCulN8w7IsvjvkaZaY_cu4UQqbbRi6q67nDTBpHPTviB2eZihCcz32tc9Zcmo07vuvlMwBni64HgqzM6hfSuwIsxNK4NSw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqsHt01e7OCnXVSlbkMtsRTi5pen3aC377UiW1I7B44hZ5yOK95hI19TpRdfwYuLogHKbN8T7ypSC8RnkseyMt3Y5uIURCulN8w7IsvjvkaZaY_cu4UQqbbRi6q67nDTBpHPTviB2eZihCcz32tc9Zcmo07vuvlMwBni64HgqzM6hfSuwIsxNK4NSw" width="258" /></a></div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: red;">Mark 10: 17-22 The rich young man!</span></b></span></div><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. </span></div><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life?</span></div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus said unto him, <b>"Why do you call Me good? There is none good but One, and that is GOD."
You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother. </b></span><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">20 Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy.</span></div><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. <b>One thing you lack</b> he said, <b>Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.</b></span></div><div><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.</span></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-50033034803505232922023-04-16T17:45:00.001+01:002023-04-16T17:45:50.142+01:00The prodigal sons Luke 15:11-32<!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71xQHtuGlaY" width="320" youtube-src-id="71xQHtuGlaY"></iframe></div><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="title" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: transparent; border: 0px; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71xQHtuGlaY&t=936s" target="_blank">The Good News of Easter | Isaiah 25 | Sunday Sermon</a></yt-formatted-string></h1><div><br /></div><div><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@StockwellBC" spellcheck="false" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-size: 1.6rem; margin-right: -0.1em; overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); overflow: hidden; padding-right: 0.1em; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: pre; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);"><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span class="text Isa-25-1" id="en-ESV-18120">God Will Swallow Up Death Forever</span></h3></a></div></div><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="top-row" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: flex-start; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="item style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="owner" style="align-items: center; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 1e-09px; margin: 12px 12px 0px 0px; min-width: calc(50% - 6px); padding: 0px;"><ytd-video-owner-renderer class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" modern-metapanel="" style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; min-width: 0px;" watch-metadata-refresh=""><div class="style-scope ytd-video-owner-renderer" id="upload-info" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 1e-09px; justify-content: center; margin: 0px 24px 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><ytd-channel-name class="style-scope ytd-video-owner-renderer" id="channel-name" style="align-self: flex-start; color: var(--yt-endpoint-color,var(--yt-spec-text-primary)); display: flex; flex-direction: row; line-height: 2.2rem; max-width: 100%; z-index: 300;"><div class="style-scope ytd-channel-name" id="container" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: var(--ytd-channel-name-container-display,inline-block); margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><div class="style-scope ytd-channel-name" id="text-container" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-container-display,block); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-channel-name complex-string" ellipsis-truncate-styling="" ellipsis-truncate="" has-link-only_="" id="text" link-inherit-color="" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-line-clamp,inherit); display: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-complex-display); flex-direction: row; font-size: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-font-size); font-weight: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-font-weight); line-height: var(--ytd-channel-name-text-line-height); overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: pre; word-break: break-word;" title=""><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@StockwellBC" spellcheck="false" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin-right: -0.1em; overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); overflow: hidden; padding-right: 0.1em; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);"><div class="poetry" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; white-space: normal;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Isa-25-1" style="position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; color: black; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: -2em; line-height: 0.8em; position: absolute; text-decoration-line: none;">25 </span><span style="color: black;">O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, you are my God;</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-1" style="position: relative;">I will exalt you; I will praise your name,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-1" style="position: relative;">for you have done wonderful things,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-1" style="position: relative;">plans formed of old, faithful and sure.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-2" id="en-ESV-18121" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>For you have made the city a heap,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-2" style="position: relative;">the fortified city a ruin;</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-2" style="position: relative;">the foreigners' palace is a city no more;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-2" style="position: relative;">it will never be rebuilt.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-3" id="en-ESV-18122" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-3" style="position: relative;">cities of ruthless nations will fear you.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-4" id="en-ESV-18123" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>For you have been a stronghold to the poor,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-4" style="position: relative;">a stronghold to the needy in his distress,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-4" style="position: relative;">a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-4" style="position: relative;">for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-25-5" id="en-ESV-18124" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span>like heat in a dry place.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-5" style="position: relative;">You subdue the noise of the foreigners;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-5" style="position: relative;">as heat by the shade of a cloud,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-5" style="position: relative;">so the song of the ruthless is put down.</span></span></span></p></div></a><div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; white-space: normal;"><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@StockwellBC" spellcheck="false" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin-right: -0.1em; overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); overflow: hidden; padding-right: 0.1em; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);"></a><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/@StockwellBC" spellcheck="false" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin-right: -0.1em; overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); overflow: hidden; padding-right: 0.1em; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Isa-25-6" id="en-ESV-18125" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>On this mountain the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> of hosts will make for all peoples</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-6" style="position: relative;">a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-6" style="position: relative;">of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-7" id="en-ESV-18126" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>And he will swallow up on this mountain</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-7" style="position: relative;">the covering that is cast over all peoples,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-7" style="position: relative;">the veil that is spread over all nations.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-25-8" id="en-ESV-18127" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span>He will swallow up death forever;</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-8" style="position: relative;">and the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span> will wipe away tears from all faces,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-8" style="position: relative;">and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-8" style="position: relative;">for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> has spoken.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-9" id="en-ESV-18128" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>It will be said on that day,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-9" style="position: relative;">“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-9" style="position: relative;">This is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>; we have waited for him;</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-9" style="position: relative;">let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-10" id="en-ESV-18129" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>For the hand of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will rest on this mountain,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-10" style="position: relative;">and Moab shall be trampled down in his place,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-10" style="position: relative;">as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-18129a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-18129a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Isa-25-11" id="en-ESV-18130" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span>And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-11" style="position: relative;">as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-11" style="position: relative;">but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-18130b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-18130b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2025&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18130b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> of his hands.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-25-12" id="en-ESV-18131" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>And the high fortifications of his walls he will bring down,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-25-12" style="position: relative;">lay low, and cast to the ground, to the dust.</span></span></span></p></div></yt-formatted-string></div><tp-yt-paper-tooltip class="style-scope ytd-channel-name" fit-to-visible-bounds="" role="tooltip" style="color: #0f0f0f; cursor: default; display: var(--yt-paper-tooltip-display); font-size: 1.6rem; inset: -26.8px auto auto 48.4813px; outline: none; position: absolute; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: none; z-index: 1002;" tabindex="-1"></tp-yt-paper-tooltip></div></ytd-channel-name><yt-formatted-string aria-label="478 subscribers" class="style-scope ytd-video-owner-renderer" id="owner-sub-count" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 1; color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: 1.8rem; margin-right: 4px; max-height: 1.8rem; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><br /></yt-formatted-string></div></ytd-video-owner-renderer></div></div>N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-73327541732121137522022-12-07T08:37:00.004+00:002022-12-07T08:37:24.041+00:00If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..<div><span class="text 2Cor-5-16" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyNg0UJyaPw3PS_PTKQXhCP9qkp0r7akGD4C1tnkbf_kxqO6kdZQ_SYDJgnXOmVihMg11Bo-v1lPazDx8ErVSePS3QsDqNumC3dZSNGCyMNvRx1y0fsEyVDBkSwj1ARiVNuzddFKF_kGXCioGIpEN7jDTc7ejBhyOp0uOZUjX9akLgehnz_TYokkka" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="585" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyNg0UJyaPw3PS_PTKQXhCP9qkp0r7akGD4C1tnkbf_kxqO6kdZQ_SYDJgnXOmVihMg11Bo-v1lPazDx8ErVSePS3QsDqNumC3dZSNGCyMNvRx1y0fsEyVDBkSwj1ARiVNuzddFKF_kGXCioGIpEN7jDTc7ejBhyOp0uOZUjX9akLgehnz_TYokkka=w246-h386" width="246" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span></div><span class="text 2Cor-5-16" id="en-ESV-28877" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </span>From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b> </b></span><span class="text 2Cor-5-17" id="en-ESV-28878" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28878b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28878b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%205&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28878b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> The old has passed away; behold, the new has come</b>.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-5-18" id="en-ESV-28879" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-5-19" id="en-ESV-28880" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>that is, in Christ God was reconciling<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28880c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28880c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%205&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28880c" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-5-20" id="en-ESV-28881" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-5-21" id="en-ESV-28882" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</span><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END-->N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-84777346023808577642022-11-30T11:52:00.000+00:002022-11-30T11:52:06.210+00:00Come Holy Spirit<!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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<!--AddThis Button END--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OeAQvFP-Xy0" width="320" youtube-src-id="OeAQvFP-Xy0"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">John </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeAQvFP-Xy0&list=RDBagH-zTfnsQ&index=3&t=264s" spellcheck="false" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display,inline-block); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); text-align: start; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);">4:24</a><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
COME HOLY SPIRIT FALL ON ME NOW</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Sung by: House of Heroes/GMF Netherlands & Myanmar Choir</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Written by: Caroline Tjen (City Harvest Church)
Come Holy Spirit
Fall on me now
I need Your anointing
Come in Your power
I love You holy spirit
You're captivating my soul
And everyday I grow to love You more
I'm reaching for Your heart
You hold my life in Your hands
Drawing me closer to You
I feel Your power renew
Nothing compares to this place
Where I can see You face to face
I worship You in spirit and in truth</span></div><br />N Abramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888108039248683428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4158957688475205592.post-52845350472710292982022-11-26T05:21:00.002+00:002022-11-27T17:38:07.742+00:00A kingdom that cannot be shaken! <p class="heading" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify;">A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken</p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-18.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">18</a></span>For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest <span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-19.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">19</a></span>and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. <span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-20.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">20</a></span>For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” <span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-21.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">21</a></span><b>Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”</b> </p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-22.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">22</a></span>But you have come to <b>Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,</b> the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, </p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-23.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">23</a></span>and <b>to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven</b>, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, <span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-24.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">24</a></span>and <b>to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,</b> and to<b> the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.</b></p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-25.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">25</a></span>See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. </p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-26.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">26</a></span>At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” <span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-27.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">27</a></span>This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. </p><p class="regular" style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #001320; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-28.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">28</a></span><b><span style="color: #001320;">Therefore let us be grateful for receiving </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">a kingdom that cannot be shaken</span><span style="color: #001320;">, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, </span><span class="reftext" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #001320; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-29.htm" style="color: #008ae6; text-decoration-line: none;">29</a></span><span style="color: #001320;">for </span><span style="color: red;">our God is a consuming fire.</span></b></p><!--AddThis Button BEGIN-->
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