tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18437199443766010592024-03-05T16:57:49.465-08:00Pretoria HeraldThere is no higher privilege than to be a herald for the gospel.
John MacArthur.Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-19155003085352653862012-07-03T22:45:00.001-07:002016-10-25T01:58:13.347-07:00On The Box: Roberto: One of the Evangelist's Unsung Heroes<a href="http://www.onthebox.us/2012/07/roberto-one-of-unsung-heroes-to.html?spref=bl">On The Box: Roberto: One of the Evangelist's Unsung Heroes</a>: By Tony Miano The above photo was taken on July 19, 2008. The occasion was the annual City of Glendale, CA, Car Show. I had drawn a prett...Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-23895695995314193172012-05-03T04:58:00.001-07:002016-10-25T01:58:13.350-07:00Girl, come on , help a guy out.<span id="goog_640360814"></span><span id="goog_640360815"></span>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-58142276292176863862012-04-15T23:08:00.000-07:002016-10-25T01:58:13.412-07:00The Meaning of Life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNapUW2C1mU_riciVvVxc4T_b7us6ERggOfKaMrjU0uV-lqj1bC_8Tm92RS5OpzlUiSVQjCXByq_I9oQHppkpPs_oIvcfihW07vriGXvu05LfpC59rRzQliMG3abhjpbNIXPKCNTbG8nM/s1600/womb+baby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNapUW2C1mU_riciVvVxc4T_b7us6ERggOfKaMrjU0uV-lqj1bC_8Tm92RS5OpzlUiSVQjCXByq_I9oQHppkpPs_oIvcfihW07vriGXvu05LfpC59rRzQliMG3abhjpbNIXPKCNTbG8nM/s1600/womb+baby.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the two church services I attended
yesterday both pastors overlapped and preached about “relationships” well sort
of. They were two different churches two different denominations. The one more “renewed”
the other very conservative. (The second one is the one I attend and the first
is where a distant friend of mine just began pastoring, it was his first sermon
there) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Both preachers I consider as friends
and both spoke the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In this day and age everyone has
turned their back on the people around them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Yes, we say we love them, “Hey we
talk to them’ but, do you know them? Do you love them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">My question and I believe the
question they both would ask is if we are just </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“Smile and wave Christians."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Do we really practice love or do we
just give it lip service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The first sermon out of Ephesians
4:11 and onwards went about how we as a church should be a community. Only if
we are truly a community of believers will we love one another and that love
will be seen by all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The second sermon came out of Genesis
1. The title really grabbed my attention “The meaning of life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The whole point of the sermon was
that the meaning of life is Relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">First and foremost it is relationship
with God and then with God’s people. That is why we are here on this green spec
floating in space. We are here to know God and have a relationship with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPp-Xq8Q88ZvV6c4x5G6QRNSEl7SlJtnz6uHrADpRloKmkIOG_ku91k_YuCodr41yQc5fIUGVTIHpwX8a_qzmU9NNgNd8QCdro2TYPcOrNGXKP6biXqgPGtYBZxGnL1L-NNl0Jn7WdQ8/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPp-Xq8Q88ZvV6c4x5G6QRNSEl7SlJtnz6uHrADpRloKmkIOG_ku91k_YuCodr41yQc5fIUGVTIHpwX8a_qzmU9NNgNd8QCdro2TYPcOrNGXKP6biXqgPGtYBZxGnL1L-NNl0Jn7WdQ8/s1600/family.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Our priorities are totally bent.
With the busy schedules we are taken away from friend, family and God. Everything
is competing for our attention, so being the silly people we are, we abandon
the very reason we exists. We shaved away the time we spend on relationships
and sell Christ and our families and Christian fellowship to the TV, hobbies,
work and selfish preoccupation with self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I think back fondly too times when I
was all consumed by the helping and getting to know others, evangelising,
counselling and just being with others. When you invest in others, in true
relationship (doing without expecting or wanting anything back), that is when
you are the happiest, when you forget about yourself and just place your time
and priorities on the altar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We are only able to give all if we
know the one who gave it all, Christ. He gave it all so that we can be able to
stand in a relationship with Him. Only if we drink at His fountain of
friendship and love, will our broken container fill up with living water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We will never be able to fill the
broken containers around us, we will have to direct/carry them to the fountain
and there help them be filled and by so doing we will be filled to the brim,
overflowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-4779711840262450422012-04-14T02:33:00.003-07:002016-10-25T01:58:13.400-07:00Quick update.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow it has been long since I last blogged anything.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been hectic. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally I’m registered for my MA in New Testament studies,
really looking forward to what I will learn. I will specialize in the Gospel of
Mark.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yes expect to see
a lot more posts about the Gospel of Mark. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m planning to study the historicity of Mark and “Mark
based on eyewitness accounts.’</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you have any
suggestions please let me know.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have also been watching a lot of the Way of the Master’s
stuff. I dream of the day when I will have the opportunity again to do some street
evangelism.</span></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-11979559287660504402012-03-14T04:24:00.001-07:002016-10-25T01:58:13.335-07:00Who believes in fairytales?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Atheists believe that Christians believe in fairy tales.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So who is the one believing in fairytales?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Atheists mostly ascribe to the Big bang theory. So some
explosions happened billions of years ago, they believe?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So what exploded, what went bang if there was nothing? How
do you get to billions of years, so time always existed?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There had to be something that exploded? Where did that
something come from? You do know that science has established there was a starting
point.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So how did it start and where did stuff that set of this
origin come from?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So we are to believe “Chance+Nothing+Time= Everything”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For there to be Chance there has to be more than one option,
so in what way was there options?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So what caused Chance to take a specific option? </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So how did nothing change into something?</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So how did Time come to be, seeing that basically we
calculate our time by the earth’s movement? There were no planets to move
before the bang.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So Chance cannot be without something.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So something cannot be without Chance.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So Time cannot be without something.</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-83186582022540764852012-03-07T04:03:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.466-07:00His way or the Highway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu-tuo2xlDDOehh_1eKNPkwwktLNWQJZJYMJCf9WU7Msu95BuFt1-kjOLzQjP3idr001aDURUi-DnCfWrWvSc_-ZzTJTWNXjWGGoihsqn2IFeSnZPpwdNFDc567V67DfN0ucxLjR1ddQ/s1600/danger+expectations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu-tuo2xlDDOehh_1eKNPkwwktLNWQJZJYMJCf9WU7Msu95BuFt1-kjOLzQjP3idr001aDURUi-DnCfWrWvSc_-ZzTJTWNXjWGGoihsqn2IFeSnZPpwdNFDc567V67DfN0ucxLjR1ddQ/s1600/danger+expectations.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have found that many "Christians" are dropping out
of the race. One thing I have found common among most of them is the notion that
"someday God will intervene" or "something spectacular will happen."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
They will think of things like:</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ministry will open up, some sin will be dealt its final
blow or maybe they will experience complete joy and peace. Most fall by the way side
because they had some expectation that was never fulfilled.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It makes me think of the phrase “What dreams may come?” I
still have no idea what is really meant by it but, it’s a sentence which can
make you meditate for hours.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every single person ever created dreams of “that someday…” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When that day never arrives or seem that it will never
arrive we go into a tailspin of doubt, bitterness and anger. All these emotions
becomes overwhelming and saturates our very being, until it spills over into
our actions and it just can’t be contained anymore. This is when harsh things
are done and said.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The root of the problem is our expectations which are
influenced by our misunderstanding of what Christ has promised and how we live
in a relationship with Him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhipTZufTLPFTRQ04vNCOtAVUdXmVOtac8vW9PGTMpHymIlU086TSY_JJuThalzpJUMQpH_azXZwz03a2KF_10_yr61ph2K92YXlLaPcRass5-ibSrDCEes3f1gSeRRBEOTMSUZLMVU/s1600/titanic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhipTZufTLPFTRQ04vNCOtAVUdXmVOtac8vW9PGTMpHymIlU086TSY_JJuThalzpJUMQpH_azXZwz03a2KF_10_yr61ph2K92YXlLaPcRass5-ibSrDCEes3f1gSeRRBEOTMSUZLMVU/s1600/titanic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We might be convinced that God has given us some promise.To
us personally or to Christians in general and we cling to it for dear life,
only find that it’s the Titanic and we sink into despair.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our hope is lost our anchors rope gets cut because we
have built our faith on sand and not on Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We create our own dream-world
where our besetting sin is defeated once and for all, where the monster of
depression is given the death blow, or the day the phones rings and you
land your dream job.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ has won the final victory on the cross against sin,
by breaking the separation that it created between man and God. He gave death
its final blow when He rose from the dead. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has poured our glasses full until overflowing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning against God and tossing His word aside because we
have not received what we perceived to be promised is childish and rooted in
pride.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has promised and He will deliver but, only that which he
promised.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That besetting sin we struggle with is like the AA guy says,
is never completely killed until you are. If you are an alcoholic you will be
one until you die.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are inclined to lie, you will fight telling a lies
for the rest of your life. If you yearn for more, greed will always stalk you.
If you lust has bitten you the poison will always be in your system.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we are in this world we will always be surrounded by
temptations and temptations will always be in our hearts. We are called to run
the race to persevere till the very end. Christ never said it would be easy, he
never said we will have complete freedom here on earth. Sin will always eyeball
us and unfortunately we will fall into its trap and often set the trap
ourselves.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are called to arms we are instructed to put it on and
never take it off.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ has given sin it death blow and it will die within us
on the day of the Lord, when He returns, in the mean time we must fight
unbelief, we must admit that this how it is.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndafLtAilKJVOcUw1_1rF8SBDyP-q4WDZ1Yyp3RT2YGw6S4xzBJeImMf4a98M564NU7j552GnucBnwcLqoi0Zi5zp5uPadFZWAFnZ34v4AdV9olCaGdtgBtE1xWp6Wp8GdQTlkD37aOA/s1600/caution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndafLtAilKJVOcUw1_1rF8SBDyP-q4WDZ1Yyp3RT2YGw6S4xzBJeImMf4a98M564NU7j552GnucBnwcLqoi0Zi5zp5uPadFZWAFnZ34v4AdV9olCaGdtgBtE1xWp6Wp8GdQTlkD37aOA/s1600/caution.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must fight daily for our faith and Christ daily gives it
to us.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our faith must not be built on our perceived ideas of how
things should be but, rather on what the Bible say they are.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Importing things in our framework of faith that is not Clearly
taught in scripture is folly of the highest order.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us say you struggle with depression and it keeps on
coming back and meds does help but, it totally messes with your emotions and it
does not add to your quality of life. Somehow in a prayer meeting
you get convinced that Christ promises to take that depression away but, after
years you still suffer from depression. Do you still hold to that conviction or
do you consider that maybe you “heard” wrong? Do you allow this belief that Christ
said He will cure you overshadow your whole relationship with Him?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us say you struggle with lustful thoughts and pray
urgently to Christ and ask that he will take it away from you, you look at
scripture and see that it teaches that if you pray according to His will and in
His name He will answer your prayer but, after years lust still rears its ugly
little head in your life. Do you start doubting Gods promises and question your
faith?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We come to the topic of unanswered prayer mingled with “does
God still speak to us?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or is our problem more basic than that?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must go and search for our answer not in “Airy Fairy
land” but, in the “Where the tyre meets the tar land.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our problem started and a more basic level, we came to the
Bible with an “Extra-Biblical Theology”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23Jm7FZ74v7ptZDfycfTvdEBfGXgo48H1aKBoSs7n1KyexXd1avljiwsI4qJRvnSv2WvcKc75IsZbatKaXUmD3JjA-wdrYrU6S-k29Mdgl3fYVDfCRoom3B7ytCVpnMQLLb4Brb8m0fs/s1600/By+grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23Jm7FZ74v7ptZDfycfTvdEBfGXgo48H1aKBoSs7n1KyexXd1avljiwsI4qJRvnSv2WvcKc75IsZbatKaXUmD3JjA-wdrYrU6S-k29Mdgl3fYVDfCRoom3B7ytCVpnMQLLb4Brb8m0fs/s1600/By+grace.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had been influenced with the humanist world where
everything is man centred. While God is the focus and everything revolves
around Him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have without noticing it been influenced with worlds view
of how our lives on earth should work and what the purpose of life on earth is.
We have come to see the physical world as the most important thing there is
while the Glory given to God is the most important thing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some will say our spiritual lives are the most important,
which in a sure way is true but, if not explained we also fall into heresy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our spiritual life and our physical life are to revolve
around God. How we are spiritually in our relation to God is reveal in our
physical life.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if we build our relationship with Christ on the wrong
doctrine we short-circuited the relationship and everything else falls out of
whack.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then if we pull the circle even smaller, on what do we base
our doctrine. This is then the most important step.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we build our doctrine on the wrong base we will
ultimately expect the wrong things from God.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A false expectation from God leads to disappointment which
leads to bitterness which leads to dark side.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christians, who lose their faith, never had real faith
because they clung to wrong doctrine or recognised the right doctrine but,
rejected it because it did not square with what they wanted to believe.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The basis for our faith should not be our perception of what
life should be like. Our faith must not be built on our own ideas on how God
should be like. If we do this we end up with a man made God which is man centred
instead of God centred. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God should not be understood by what we see in the nature
and then try to use that as our basis on how God is. This will be total folly.
Nature even if it was perfect is not God and we are also fallible so our
perception is also messed up.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we have to find a different source to find out what God
is like and how we must stand in relation with Him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is where the Bible comes in. In this modern age the
Bible has come under severe attack. Ever since it has existed someone has tried
to show the Bible as false and lacking all credibility.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mostly this attack on the Bible has come from sceptics who
don’t want to believe. Some if not most attack it because they rebel against an
authority over them. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
So <span style="background-color: yellow;">do</span> we abandon our create expectations?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">No we don't, our expectations actually underestimates God's ability. We must come in line with what He has truly revealed and stand firm on the true Biblical promises and test our preconceived ideas to what God has already revealed.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-63825645010252526102012-02-25T01:19:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.418-07:00How He loves us.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxK1tYC6LVblvTx3x6694K9L-CG6DjCyvwzdDaFPmQ-hHsr6S24XfqAymfYO1PVgJGWdXrbl49Sjkuwkk_5Fg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-4784304853858081212012-02-12T21:19:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.402-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3NENNVKa_7HPwdPNiVBWB5V7hBij4NXqqc8n5a8AUB1YHjAo0JS_9WLaG2o_D_e8gl7WDgMZoFe65hHeHQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-82992500829838664142012-02-12T21:05:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.460-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-92113422404070691442012-02-12T20:55:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.480-07:00The baby home is open!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzN1nL-ThBxFVOquVlUoetEypeuVxx79nMxGbVqLyzLyNdJxbvSzggJUwAMyoiGKqlMlpKPY_VOw3aHjCp7OQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-88726171347853622992012-02-08T21:17:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.476-07:00Thoughts about Inerrancy.<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">I have been doing some more digging and believe that my first impression of Craig Evans was a bit off.</span><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> </span><a href="http://nearemmaus.com/2012/04/12/a-brief-q-a-with-craig-a-evans-on-the-historicity-of-the-gospels/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Here</span></a><span style="color: red;"> is a some questions which he answers and makes me rethink my first opinion I had of him, which I discussed in this post.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Undoubtedly if you ever
explored this blog you will come to see I have a very high view of scripture.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOVgffuwWn3ejUUZZU44Lbic8pg_EvyzOvRGsUf9ma85F3Q0wcBs6ig4IrTjs1PLrsdTBbwjboIGFOgQO1R_h9xzzIJRd5Y1tFoRW1hXaH32ZShFCC_-L6mveg1NoEqxb0wbd8jGPd8M/s1600/sola+scriptura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOVgffuwWn3ejUUZZU44Lbic8pg_EvyzOvRGsUf9ma85F3Q0wcBs6ig4IrTjs1PLrsdTBbwjboIGFOgQO1R_h9xzzIJRd5Y1tFoRW1hXaH32ZShFCC_-L6mveg1NoEqxb0wbd8jGPd8M/s1600/sola+scriptura.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our view of scripture determines all that we believe. If we
view scripture as mere words of man we may just as well declare our local glossy
magazine our book of faith. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The way we understand what the Bible is, determines
how serious we take it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are very different views on scripture. We can see it
as inerrant in its original transcripts or we can say it is a human book pure
and simple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Both these views have pitfalls. The question is “Is there a
middle ground?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not think so, either it is the word of God or it is
not. Others would say that there is a middle ground and if you take ever side
you are going too far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can also say that if you follow the doctrine of
inerrancy to it’s a logical conclusion you will arrive at an unscientific place
or at full blown liberalism.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These past few days I’m being delving into what Dr Craig
Evans has to say. He has a very unique take on the whole thing which warrants
more investigation</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I understand him correctly he will not defend the Bible as
historical inerrant but, what the Bible sets out to do it accomplishes.The Bible brings us the good news of Christ and how we might be saved. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPPV3hGcYbvaTeFfs_-CyZ7QHSZvDnndCGvpyubQWepAzlznmnCzEg4N-syzLwISRMPPvY2yXP433MN0eNKSCCik9hTeLDpCyZNjLV1wK38yshvjTYRFzslKjtpGjaJiM0eNDDqyu8WM/s1600/chicqargoe+satetment+of+hermanutics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPPV3hGcYbvaTeFfs_-CyZ7QHSZvDnndCGvpyubQWepAzlznmnCzEg4N-syzLwISRMPPvY2yXP433MN0eNKSCCik9hTeLDpCyZNjLV1wK38yshvjTYRFzslKjtpGjaJiM0eNDDqyu8WM/s1600/chicqargoe+satetment+of+hermanutics.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He would not agree with the Chicago statement of inerrancy
then. Would he?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m still checking it out but it does seem on face value
that he takes the Bible seriously and that he believes that Jesus physically
died and rose again. I will then place him under the wider evangelical umbrella
but, not under the traditional group.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He makes a very good case that we must take all the
differences in the synoptic gospels seriously. He seems to be a very competent
and thoughtful scholar. What I do think is that he gives up to much ground. I
see many points where he could have defended the reliability of the Bible.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I do appreciate of him is that he does a very in depth
study of everything he is just a wealth of information. Not a grain of laziness
in the man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I think that my view of scripture is pretty much
the same as Norman Geisler, I think his answers and explanations of some
difficult passages are a bit shallow and he doesn’t really answer many of the
concerns.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I admit I have limited resources on both these men and pray
that I will be able to acquire more in the future. In all I’m not satisfied
with either ones handling of the issue.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Craig Evans gives to much ground to the sceptic and it seems
that Norman Geisler isn’t really listening to them. I wonder what Kaiser will say. I
have read his book on the reliability of the Old Testament documents and his
approach was very balanced. He takes the critics very serious but, he makes a
strong stand. Don’t take me wrong when Evans decides on this hill he will die on, he makes a stand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My quest is to sift all these thoughts running around in my
head and find out which way is the best.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giving up ground on the issue on inerrancy is not to be
taken lightly. My question is it even necessary. In the past it has been proven
on many occasions that the Bible is reliable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many times the historicity of the gospel is taken in
question because of many differences between the synoptic gospels. The problem
is that these differences do not impact basic doctrine.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many times the sceptic is are simplistic about the perceived
discrepancy. They take it at face value while on other occasions they fire
both barrels of the shotgun if we dare take the Bible at face value.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sceptics always seem to fire off all the alleged discrepancies
in the gospels and then claim “superior number of arguments wins” while each
individual argument and accusation must be handled on its own.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eawKpU8mAb0fP-ogNJSEiykGth9UltzwcycukHXvSEy2znpL_RP0_bnpt_358Y774icq0alTWLOc8EobB55P0fced1Atwsvfhxwz1HYdiG9BibnX1cBg38Y6i0JtuEQbdRZoiu3mE-I/s1600/geisler+defending+inerrancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eawKpU8mAb0fP-ogNJSEiykGth9UltzwcycukHXvSEy2znpL_RP0_bnpt_358Y774icq0alTWLOc8EobB55P0fced1Atwsvfhxwz1HYdiG9BibnX1cBg38Y6i0JtuEQbdRZoiu3mE-I/s1600/geisler+defending+inerrancy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is one of the problems with debates. For some or other
reason the liberal will list his long lists of complains and the “evangelical”
just gives an answer that is weak and vague, they sometimes try to explain a
principle to answer similar arguments but, never answer the point made by the
liberal. Maybe it is the way debates are done but, why not for once just answer
the man’s question straight down the middle? If I look at Norman Geisler’s
stuff I think he will actually do it, the problem is sometimes even I can spot
the holes in his argument.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m probably being a bit to forward, I regular keyboard warrior.
My question is why not take the dog by the scruff of the neck and manhandle the
opinion, say it like it is, answer the critic, go at him toe to toe. Or do we
have no real answer or witty comebacks?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the problem is not as simple as just saying we are inarticulate
or not assertive enough when it comes to debate ting these issues.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most debates between evangelicals and liberals always have
the evangelical starting off on the back foot, defending an already weaken
position.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For starters they almost never bring in the ancient
tradition, on who wrote the gospels. It is a great big debate yes but, why have
we resigned from that fight. Many scholars have written against the historical
teachings on who wrote the gospels. They doubt the accuracy of these
traditions. The question is must they not proof their case to us, are they not
attacking a very old tradition handed down through generations? Are these persons
who wrote about this tradition not closer to the original authors in time and
culture?</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKuwb89160s68mGuo-VD-LHbhj0116EFuy9CnPjzafmObXGuCLM0xBHnISeVh1YNzdyXkEAoadgq-HeP1SDIjYX-prhp9dahfO2Rz_jwpE-7gn2EWXVvAbSWBxIQ09FWelMsja8b4jp0/s1600/slipery+slope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKuwb89160s68mGuo-VD-LHbhj0116EFuy9CnPjzafmObXGuCLM0xBHnISeVh1YNzdyXkEAoadgq-HeP1SDIjYX-prhp9dahfO2Rz_jwpE-7gn2EWXVvAbSWBxIQ09FWelMsja8b4jp0/s1600/slipery+slope.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The case is made that these guys seen as the writers
traditionally could not have written such great literature and that just 3% of
the people living in Israel at that time could read what to say of being able
to write such well edited gospels.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us look at the traditional writers then. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Gospel of Matthew was said to be a tax collector appointed by the Romans ,
would the Romans appoint a illiterate man as tax collector?.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Gospel of Mark was written by some companion of Peter.
Mark according to tradition wrote the Gospel according to what Peter told him.
Peter was one of the leaders of the church a man of great influence. The church
was very large over five thousand and there was added to their number daily, is
it not possible that out of this large crowd Peter could find such a writer as
Mark.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Gospel Of Luke, according to tradition he was a
companion of Paul and that he also was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
kind of doctor, is it also such a far fetch dream that he could have been well
educated just as Paul? Is it so far fetch that a doctor could read and write? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we get to sequence of the gospels. The modern view is
that Mark was written first after that Luke and Matthew. So how do they devise
such a sequence? Well they look at all synoptic gospels and seen that a lot of
material over lapses. Sometimes exactly. So they come to the
conclusion that they must have copied from each other or used a common source.
They even gave the source a name “Q”.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The question is then this, why could they not all been
written independent from each other? Why could they not just have been writing
the same story from three prospective and why could the overlapping parts not
be because they are telling the same story.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bart Ehrman makes a very strong case, he says that even if
you take a lot of eyewitnesses and let them write what exactly happened that
you wouldn’t get two accounts that is remotely same to the extent that the
gospels are similar.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3J_qZNaD76A2zSYUc7m8LsWGgE5MF1pcW_kjgLXucQGAcn3YF-F9zs6WveBlZRxhgI3m6wV8_1-1Ao5XdDq-O_CUW_Kir87Lr9JmSQqt0Ygx4Lr7kH1kZDTESl1E99iCSBj2E-BFPEo/s1600/find+comman+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3J_qZNaD76A2zSYUc7m8LsWGgE5MF1pcW_kjgLXucQGAcn3YF-F9zs6WveBlZRxhgI3m6wV8_1-1Ao5XdDq-O_CUW_Kir87Lr9JmSQqt0Ygx4Lr7kH1kZDTESl1E99iCSBj2E-BFPEo/s1600/find+comman+ground.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a very strong argument, the problem is this cannot
be the only argument, I believe he would add a few. The problem is what about
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was He not the one who inspired the writers to
write accurate accounts?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other question is why accept the viability of the “Q”
source which has no proof accept the similarities between the gospels and
reject the historical account of the possible existence of the Hebrew gospel?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has the liberal scholar not infringed on the evangelical scholars
so much that we have fallen to the winds of chance, while we believe in the God
who created that wind.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have abandoned to many outposts, it is time to take
stock and decide which ones are to be retaken.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a real sense I agree with Craig Evans, the Christian
faith is grounded on the factual death and resurrection of Christ and not on
the Bible. The problem is that the Bible is the source that ultimately proofs
it and explains it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over simplification is very dangerous. The minimal facts
approach is great for short debate and discussions but, not enough for deep,
sustained Christian life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-75128926207305077452012-02-08T03:59:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.440-07:00Speaking in Tongues.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7NXlqAdRVSD6Ft02wnmh25Friooz3R7ao96WrDtOCVytvB1FHf6b_LAtORaXlfMQ9UK3nDohrFkFUu-Z9R_rrej1dtt5UoSsdUO0jcpR8nUMq26AmSEFp9Qn7UpJKxhyhRdDCpt2XjQ/s1600/wrong+teaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7NXlqAdRVSD6Ft02wnmh25Friooz3R7ao96WrDtOCVytvB1FHf6b_LAtORaXlfMQ9UK3nDohrFkFUu-Z9R_rrej1dtt5UoSsdUO0jcpR8nUMq26AmSEFp9Qn7UpJKxhyhRdDCpt2XjQ/s1600/wrong+teaching.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been
asked to explain the phenomenon known as speaking in tongues. This is sometimes
a very emotional charged subject. Christians many times find their relationship
with Christ and their Christian life in general as “plain” and uneventful and
the seek something more intense.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This search
for a deeper spiritual life is commendable and the yearning to be “closer” to
God is good but, sometimes our motive sends us into the wrong directions. We
are called to grow as Christians. Our Christian growth comes through communion
with God through prayer and Bible study and is cemented in by our actions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chase
after something more than gospel reveals that we misunderstand what the gospel
is. What Christ has done is sufficient nothing can be added to what He has
done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, let us
look at the phenomenon of speaking in tongues.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firstly let
me kick off by sharing part of my journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also
frequented charismatic churches and groups and was attracted by what I perceived
as a deeper faith. One night I answered the alter call and experience what they
call “baptism with the Holy Spirit” and started praying in tongues. I loved it
but, something wasn’t right for me, and only practiced it a few times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we
investigate anything we must go to the Bible as our source.</span></span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what
does the word “tongue” mean in scripture?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvEkxGBNRTVexryYgZcmTrH8XjlDrVjnFyHpHtMo6rjlgTz8NlKPQZArPgN4kZ4tgreLOWWEJknhIjyky6NK2K3mV0AGSd8JJgzCGsXbLNa1XBKnZQcg3M-7HT6d6JccCqS9GEK3erms/s1600/zeal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvEkxGBNRTVexryYgZcmTrH8XjlDrVjnFyHpHtMo6rjlgTz8NlKPQZArPgN4kZ4tgreLOWWEJknhIjyky6NK2K3mV0AGSd8JJgzCGsXbLNa1XBKnZQcg3M-7HT6d6JccCqS9GEK3erms/s1600/zeal.png" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the
Bible speaks about “tongues” it plainly means language, a language that is
spoken and understood by people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genesis
10:20<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">These are the sons of Ham, by their clans, their
languages, their lands, and their nations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
best place to start looking in this study is in the book of Acts. When we study
the Bible the best way to find out what the Bible teaches about a specific
thing is to look at different passages and then let them help interpret each
other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 2:3-6<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one
of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in
other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation
under heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered,
because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MxGMn_sss-YOj-qUCuF-r4rN3vXDLENhLCxL7NwxhH2NHD4lXK8Ca6bQvn7IvT6a1BqYFWwB8PKW4ZavaCpIlHJUafbA0C-Blw5Ph7koxZG3ocBRtQ7VHZOeefidXbUYoeeDw7QteqY/s1600/wrong+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MxGMn_sss-YOj-qUCuF-r4rN3vXDLENhLCxL7NwxhH2NHD4lXK8Ca6bQvn7IvT6a1BqYFWwB8PKW4ZavaCpIlHJUafbA0C-Blw5Ph7koxZG3ocBRtQ7VHZOeefidXbUYoeeDw7QteqY/s1600/wrong+way.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If no one
would have told you about speaking in tongues would you think that these were languages
spoken of in Acts 2 is strange languages or would you understood that they are
already existing languages? Jerusalem was filled with foreigners. These
foreigners spoke different languages and God through the Holy Spirit gave the
Christians in the upper room the ability to talk languages they never heard or
learned before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This gift
was given to the Christians as a sign that the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised
has arrived. It further indicated that the Gospel is for everyone not just for
the Jew but for every “tongue” meaning every nation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many things
have been said about the fire that descended on the Christians when they
received the Holy Spirit. Let me remind you of what John the Baptist said about
the coming of the Holy Spirit and Fire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luke 3:16<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John answered them all, saying, "I
baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of
whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and with fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember why John the Baptized people. He baptized
them with water as a visible sign of people being cleansed and leaving their
old life behind. The Baptizing with Holy Spirit is basically the same thing
being cleansed and washed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the following passages it is evident that when the
Bible speaks of “tongues” it is speaking of a known language and not some
Angelic language. It is also not used to talk about some revelation form God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John 5:2; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 9:11; Ezra 4:7<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gift of tongues was a declaration that the Gospel
will be going out to all nations. Never is there spoken of tongue as a tongue
that is not understood by someone. These “tongues” was not just strange sounds
like it is claimed to be today. No, it was actual languages spoken by actual
people groups. The wonder was that Christians was speaking languages they never
learned. These Christians was not just saying “hi” in some strange language,
they were preaching the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Act 2:9-12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parthians and Medes and Elamites
and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and
the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>both Jews and proselytes, Cretans
and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of
God." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to
one another, "What does this mean?"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The non-Jews also received the gift of speaking in
tongues to confirm that the Gospel was also for the gentiles. The gift was not
just a tool to evangelism but, a sign to confirm that all nations were welcome
at the Lord table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sad thing is it is clear to many that the gift of
speaking in tongues practiced today is not the same as what we find in the book
of Acts. They recognize that many of the “speaking in tongues” is well
nonsense. It’s just a whole lot of letters blustered out and none can translate
it. So they claim that the there’s actually two gifts of speaking in tongues
the one in Acts and the one in Corinthians. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They will explain that the one spoken about in Acts is
a genuine man spoken language and the kind we find in Corinthians was something
different and an interpreter was needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Corinthians 14:27-28.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBfgFm4G6ROWTMIxtdaTDo_tQ7ypgO6KvUuGMZrLtNZJ9XCuy5Pncft6fwjFcVPuPmgILDqKgm5loPV8FeB-0VfYyArVzAscTXTAThPQpwlpM4xZzjPD5hg4P-NcEMUi4nnA-Tq0DWsQ/s1600/corinthians+sing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBfgFm4G6ROWTMIxtdaTDo_tQ7ypgO6KvUuGMZrLtNZJ9XCuy5Pncft6fwjFcVPuPmgILDqKgm5loPV8FeB-0VfYyArVzAscTXTAThPQpwlpM4xZzjPD5hg4P-NcEMUi4nnA-Tq0DWsQ/s1600/corinthians+sing.png" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clearly in this passages it is instructed that there
should be an interpreter, it is also clear that the Gospel and the
evangelization of the listeners was the focus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason for the speaking in tongues was so that people
of all nations could hear the Gospel. It was not the bringing of a word of
wisdom or some prophecy, the aim was evangelism of all nations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acts 10:45-47.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter
were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the
Gentiles. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For they were hearing them
speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Can anyone withhold water
for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we
have?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now let us look at the tuff question. We have now
established that the gift of speaking in tongues was an existing language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gift of speaking in tongues was a “sign” gift”.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me explain while it had a purpose namely
communicating the gospel to strangers it was also a sign that things were
changing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of the miracles that happened in Egypt, they did
not continue, they strengthen the Israelites in their faith. When they had to
through the Sea before they went into the Promised Land it was a sign to them
that God was still with them the same way He was with their fathers when they
left Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jesus was on earth He preformed many signs and
wonders to confirm His deity and that which He was teaching. When the apostles
went out they also preformed signs and wonders confirming this new work that
was done. These things were meant as evidence that they were preaching the same
truth as Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sign gifts were never meant to be permanent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-75651861547889526542012-02-01T03:09:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.447-07:00Check your time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRglLNOmlS_iMWU9jFYOMHVeEPRGj0wGY2umhN7pAtO0PZmKnBDWlssAIWazKeHv6zkRYLarBSi4rK3DivH_UfOPnV9tdHXuTG-8jKXaP0yBh04KlD8sJiNnkGCYkM6iPlV_EuLYQH0R4/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRglLNOmlS_iMWU9jFYOMHVeEPRGj0wGY2umhN7pAtO0PZmKnBDWlssAIWazKeHv6zkRYLarBSi4rK3DivH_UfOPnV9tdHXuTG-8jKXaP0yBh04KlD8sJiNnkGCYkM6iPlV_EuLYQH0R4/s1600/clock.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In this crazy beautiful world we live in everything is
changing. We as Christians have a constant, an anchor, God.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today everything is seen as relative. Every person believe
that what they think is right is right. The freedom of speech is a good thing.
The freedom of thought is a very good thing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Asking questions is the only way we develop as man. The
problem comes in when we believe that more than one answer is the right answer.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We say that there is many ways to skin a cat. The thing is
we ask questions like “What is a skinned cat?” We build a case that questions
the meaning of the very words. We would question if there is really something
like a cat. We will question and ask what it means when we say “skin the cat”.
We ask ourselves so many questions even questioning the answers of the answers.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the end we would say it is all relative, who says the cat,
if it is a cat? Is not skinned already?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today as every other age Christians should know what they
believe and why they believe it. If we are to stand, if we are to grow in
faith, if we are to answer the question posed to us, we cannot just pitch at
church on Sunday and listen to the sermon and hope it is enough to face the
tuff questions.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our time is filled up with so many things, work, hobbies,
school, family, friends, Facebook, blogs, net-browsing, movies, TV shows and
all other kind of activities, we never dust the Bible cover off.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our knees is bruised not because of praying but, because we bumped
when we texted our friend as we are leaving his house.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The sense of community is fast being eroded by our
technology. While we have the best communication networks today, nobody really
knows anybody else.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSnJVRQMiZAC6OsXcHk-H_AUizILZl6sL-eY3Cx3mk8twnyFBXh4s5ljGIfFjw3JzhnHE8GdK_N3oe4nQFTsYcUjbKKggqZtMFF4Z9_rGCqPh7lcrcZMQinR-xRVqpyEX7SSX-U9zJ2k/s1600/disconnected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSnJVRQMiZAC6OsXcHk-H_AUizILZl6sL-eY3Cx3mk8twnyFBXh4s5ljGIfFjw3JzhnHE8GdK_N3oe4nQFTsYcUjbKKggqZtMFF4Z9_rGCqPh7lcrcZMQinR-xRVqpyEX7SSX-U9zJ2k/s1600/disconnected.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In this vast disconnected world we find ourselves alone in a
crowd.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have access to the word of God but, we don’t know what we
believe and how to explain why we believe it. We have access to a multitude of
friends but, do we have any?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We say we are richer, but are we really?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The most precious thing we have is time, and we received it
freely. The problem with time we never can get it back. How do we invest our
time? Do we make wise choices when we decide how to spend it?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is the time spending watching great movie worth more than a
boring hour with the kids? Is a quick text to someone you hardly know worth
more than eye contact with the person you speaking too.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our frantic search for that illusive “Meaning of life”, our unquenched
thirst for that deep satisfying relationship leads us to this over stretched life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We compound as much things into the shortest, thinking maybe
that will for fill my life maybe that will fill this void.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Christians also fall into this trap, chasing riches, cheap
thrill that best life now. While quality goes out the window.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have fallen victim to the “Fast Food” life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Everything now, very fast and tasty (sort of) no matter what
the results are.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That is not the Christian life. The pay-off is not now. This
is time of investments, some fruits will follow now but, most will only be visible
later.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Quality time is a “myth” there is no substitute for
quantity.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you don’t put in the time you won’t get a dime.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you start off and start doing just a little each day you
will over time accomplish a something big and it will last.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wanted to learn a few things, my wife bought me a series
of books and I have read about 12000 pages in that series. Some will say wow.
Others will say so what I read that in a few months.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You see I never read much, I think I only read two or three
of my prescribed books I had in high school.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How did I get through those books? By reading 20 pages a day.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Doing a little each day goes a long way and normal then it
will be of better quality than the little quickly rushed things.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The most important thing in life is your relationship with
God through Jesus Christ. Set yourself a goal, set a schedule stick by it, cut
time off all the other little thing you do, beg borrow steal but, make time.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-32103803401603611022012-01-20T07:55:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.375-07:00The Gospel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwmdoVGIceL6vg7slABINFz74L8cbyl3LNNB1_2wdb8iXAy9eh4UJixVdNq9ZBYn0ATIGaggOTCppdwwXl6uw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ht Frank Turk</div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-58690456066392585462012-01-06T23:07:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.416-07:00The Bad news in the Bible is that God is Good.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyS7Md9i3s1mguSjrvNGsjjuKv9XUmbLYEOD0F5XhcQdQ6y3xWQEh4RYYI9BFk_z6-1ADL3juZ6OmJi4QZTbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HT Mongernism</div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-39239220135451523622012-01-05T20:35:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.391-07:00Martin Holdt's funeral.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will not be able to attend but here is the time and directions to Martin Holdt's funeral.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PTpWEv-06soCamQFju-_XUJ1MwcHXfCWD-4XlwylyFLvId5GC1_x-UdErvQd1Sii23_P0KEvZggL_Lrf3oA9Rvf9assmHSrZcmPcfEhlahJu90lkm-DA9gF4DTo9VwTVYY1QTMjhfIo/s1600/kaart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PTpWEv-06soCamQFju-_XUJ1MwcHXfCWD-4XlwylyFLvId5GC1_x-UdErvQd1Sii23_P0KEvZggL_Lrf3oA9Rvf9assmHSrZcmPcfEhlahJu90lkm-DA9gF4DTo9VwTVYY1QTMjhfIo/s400/kaart.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aEdCE_NwXNwyPFhoKekoIbweC5TP-IwVnCLjHpHvvcMbUzfjBB7i7g8je5r4zRQy7MX_FqS0eSeCmRAkyFcpn8Ne6QrwGF951mWfr0Q3Pwq3h3tvONvgkLRbDNgrn6M7T9-65rmNBxs/s1600/MARTIN+HOLDT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aEdCE_NwXNwyPFhoKekoIbweC5TP-IwVnCLjHpHvvcMbUzfjBB7i7g8je5r4zRQy7MX_FqS0eSeCmRAkyFcpn8Ne6QrwGF951mWfr0Q3Pwq3h3tvONvgkLRbDNgrn6M7T9-65rmNBxs/s400/MARTIN+HOLDT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-34700235338544282072012-01-05T02:38:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.381-07:00Repentance.<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is word ignored by many and unknown by some.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This state of affairs is most probably the saddest thing on
earth. In this day and age all still feel bad about their sin and their mangled
sense of love.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">True repentance is what saves you. Don’t get me wrong, we
are saved on the grounded of what Christ has done. You are also saved by your
faith in Him. (The faith by the way also is a free unmerited gift from God)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The question is which kind of faith saves you? A repentive
faith is what saves you. Your faith is a faith of action; you do something on
the ground of your faith. Do not for one moment think that you are saved by works.
A true faith which saves you sprouts work, the work of repentance.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">True repentive faith is you turning from one love to the
love for Christ. Obedience to Christ is repentive faith. You obeyed your own
lusts and chased after them, now that you are saved by repentive faith you
chase Christ, He becomes your all.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many people will and have accused this as just another form
of works righteousness. It is not, I do not have the time to go into it here
but. Think about this.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you feel guilty about something and ask the person you
wronged forgiveness but, continue doing it, are you really sorry you did it or
not?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Repentance only comes when we are confronted. God calls us
out through His scripture. The only way we are ever going to repent is, if we
are called out and confronted by our sin in the light of what God thinks of it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In today’s church the preaching of the law has been replaced by sermons about feeling good about ourselves and how we can have a best life
now.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Actually if you think about it, the best way to have your
best life now is to have a life of continual repentance, of continually turning
away from your sinful desires towards Christ, which is called sanctification.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You see we mustn’t just repent the day we come to Christ,
but true repentance is doing it daily, making the choice for Christ, moment
after moment.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Only when we live the sanctifying life will it be great,
only when we search the scriptures and through it we see our camouflaged sin
and turn from it will we become what we already are in Christ.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Repentance is not just our birth but our growth. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1K0whafzjS9oaqBV6qvDhiILOFZjslBktmqGkjn4pYDL78FtgAObC3X5XdRAz1lZf5M3Esxo3zOB5N2kbjQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-76687394285806047122012-01-03T21:48:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.450-07:00A Good and a Bad start to the year.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Let me start with the bad news. Here in sunny South Africa
we have lost a great father in the faith Dr Martin Holt.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><h2>
About Martin Holdt</h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaoO6SBLG-KN2C_IEXQnHc15OD0OSXtk7wV2GCPjlhZU6nO4_twotXqxVdyl_ZzrFkixb5C_Eww_ivHCebE2fnW5DWu_CdIXH1BuDa9Va83SszzScW1mpmt1_NjdsyxmeiVGaoZ4l2zs/s1600/martin+holdt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaoO6SBLG-KN2C_IEXQnHc15OD0OSXtk7wV2GCPjlhZU6nO4_twotXqxVdyl_ZzrFkixb5C_Eww_ivHCebE2fnW5DWu_CdIXH1BuDa9Va83SszzScW1mpmt1_NjdsyxmeiVGaoZ4l2zs/s1600/martin+holdt.jpg" /></a><strong>Martin Holdt</strong> was born in South Africa and has travelled to many parts of the world to speak at various conferences. In his forty-one years in the ministry, he has planted four churches and been pastor of four others. He has also been a regular speaker on a national Christian radio station for over twenty-five years. He is married to Elsabe and has five children and seven grandchildren.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He died on the 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> of December; we attend
Constantia Park Baptist church the last church he served on a full time basis
before “retiring”.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You see he didn’t really retire he got involved in church
planting and was still rector at the Seminary where I studied.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He impacted more lives than anyone will ever know.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We were late Sunday morning and missed the first 20 minutes
of the service so we didn’t hear the news. (We attended another church service
the night before with a friend and got home very late with our kids, I
just love double headers)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We went back on the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> to go and look for my sons
shoes and found them, thanks to the friendly cleaning lady.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wanted to get a book for my friend from the book
shop, Augustine’s Book room and the lady their told me about the news.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now for the good news, my friend, yes the same one
invited me out for breakfast, see he is going through a tuff time and wanted
to chat. So I got all prepared, flipped through a few books, looked up a few
relevant passages, prayed and trusted in God for the right words.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the car it dawns on me that he has a totally different
need, Oeps. A much deeper question with no short answer so I decided to buy him
a book.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Later in the conversation he turns the tables on me and
offers to pay for further studies. Jaw drops and God gets praised.</span></div>
<a href="http://eardstapa.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/martin-holdt-goes-home/">http://eardstapa.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/martin-holdt-goes-home/</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-38828790544524395062011-12-30T22:17:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.388-07:00The Mantra of the American Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWt7RGNLFD-lbnW0X4EvcbSiH6YBvBNu2KshRz81r_YIJXgAJ8S0OHLLAAIkUHI-AEs1-Udiu7kJmANbGeKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ht Frank Turk</div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-89519503152794916902011-12-25T06:19:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.478-07:00Christ's day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuM-SwVuuLoH-pt0RXFrkF9EeL69yddoVECwm3faAzEJ9ahbtd6NVXVxvP6utwQlhKD2rif9RrulSJEliwyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
HT PyroThomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-11241730675075770792011-12-24T23:18:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.332-07:00Chrismas song.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzM-0h10rn-vfl-4iok0xruYFVGadmHpjsG0Z6y4zsD6rTn0dLDBL6wmhCeTKQT5BsYTHiCZqsgKXfiBn1TGw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-37993938502686141292011-12-23T21:54:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.384-07:00This is Love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvcD-RGBinhCY6ZAOj3M3yC8S134muxiOGx-TjZDPZtviCcLfoPl9hw8gcRMAhX6ETs0vX9e3U-nA5GI26cw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HT. Frank Turk.</div>Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-83293478010379029752011-12-22T22:51:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.468-07:00Police chase.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWX4UeS9ljoDA55ja9wBzws5hoB4JjhTEgzPj4onVNWL7tQ5ct0azxt17nBqd4e-Vx5KNYHJq6vplg_WWmMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Ht PaccadilloThomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-69401791483317126012011-12-22T01:05:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.432-07:00BE DISCIPLINED<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">GOD,
HELP ME TO BE DISCIPLINED<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Learning
obedience is a lifelong process.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Even
if you have walked with the Lord for 40 years, you still need to ask God to
show you any area where you are not being obedient.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We
get into trouble when we think we know what to do and we stop asking God, if
we’re doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We
have NO excuse for not doing what we need to do when God says He will enable us
to do it if we will just call upon Him for help. All we have to say is, “Lord,
help me be disciplined enough to obey You the way You want me to so I can
become the person You created me to be”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">PERSONAL OBEDIENCE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In
addition to the rules we all have to obey, there are specific things God asks
each of us to do as individuals in order to move us into the purpose He has for
our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Lord
show us what we are suppose to be doing”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Whatever
He asks you to do, remember He does this for your greatest blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But
you must understand that you may not hear Him speaking at all if you are not
taking the other steps of obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He
expects all of us to take that are found in His word. “One who turns away his
ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">DOING
THINGS YOU’D RATHER NOT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
we do things we don’t like simply because we know we need to do them, it builds
character in us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It
makes us disciplined.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It
forms us into a <u>leader God can trust</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
there is always a price to pay when we forsake the things we need to do in
order to do only the things we FEEL like doing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We
must be willing to make sacrifices for the blessings we want.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
you find it difficult to do what you know you need to, ask the Holy Spirit to
help you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">10
GOOD REASONS TO OBEY GOD<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There
are countless reasons to obey God, but there is one primary reason: <u>HE SAID
TO</u>!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
get our prayers heard</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. But certainly God
has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer” (Psalm 66:18-19).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
enjoy a deeper sense of the Lord’s presence</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We
will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
gain wisdom</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk
uprightly” (Proverbs 2:7).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
have God’s friendship</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
can live safely</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“You shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them, and you
will dwell in the land in safety” (Leviticus 25:18).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
are perfected</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we
know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:5).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
are blessed</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you
obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today” (Deuteronomy
11:26-27).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
find happiness</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“Happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
have peace</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is
peace” (Psalm 37:36).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">We
have a long life</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.
“My son, do not forget My law, but let your heart keep My commands; for length
of days and long life and peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>STEPPING-STONE TO DESTINY<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God
has great plans for you. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He
has important things He wants you to do. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
He is preparing you for your destiny right now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But
you have to take steps of obedience in order to <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; tab-stops: 36.0pt 72.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
you have to trust that He knows the way and <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">won’t
hurt you in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God’s
rules are for our benefit, not to make us <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">miserable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
we live by them – life works.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
we don’t – life falls apart.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
we obey – we have clarity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
we don’t – we have confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
there is a definite connection between<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">obedience
and the love of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Even
though God loves us, we won’t sense His love if <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">we
are walking in disobedience to His ways.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There
is also a direct connection between obedience <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and
getting your prayers answered (1 John 3:22).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If
you have been frustrated because you don’t see <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">answers
to your prayers, ask God if it is because of <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">disobedience.
Say “Lord is there any area of my life where I am not obeying You?”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 144pt; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -126pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t
keep telling God what you want without asking <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Him
what He wants?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Rockwell Extra Bold","serif"; font-size: 20pt;">You never know when you will
step into the moment for which God has been preparing you. And it is not
just one moment – it’s many successive ones!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">He wants you to be willing to
let Him purify you, and grow you up in Him. But you have to play by the rules. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: NL;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Eras Bold ITC","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD
OF GOD AND KEEP IT!</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Eras Bold ITC","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">Luke 11:28<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Cooper Black","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">WHATEVER WE ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM,
BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASINIG IN HIS
SIGHT</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Heavy","sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Heavy","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;">1 John 3:22<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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HT My wife.Thomas Louwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843719944376601059.post-78192460715327266272011-12-16T20:44:00.000-08:002016-10-25T01:58:13.453-07:00Did Christ give an easy law.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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