tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39980021484943583632024-03-19T12:23:22.196+03:00Bible ScripturesBlessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earthMutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-71282325480244983592015-02-19T23:17:00.002+03:002015-02-19T23:17:22.907+03:00Verse of the week# The salt of the world<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Sunset Time Free Stock Images" class="dt-photo" height="225" id="dt-foto" src="http://freethumbs.dreamstime.com/22/big/free_223959.jpg" title="Sunset Time Free Stock Images" width="300" /></div>
<br />
"You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it thrown out and people trample on it."<br />
Mathew 5:13<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-81944111856019641092014-06-30T22:05:00.000+03:002014-06-30T22:05:00.084+03:00The Great Counsellor<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->I cannot thank you any less
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh Lord my God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all you have shown me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all you have taught me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am in awe of your awesomeness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So worried was I </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So uncertain was I </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not know what to do</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not know where to look for the answers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I knew who to turn to</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh Lord my God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are an awesome God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is none like you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You worked it all out</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You made everything okay</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I had to do nothing at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are an awesome God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You deserve all the praise and glory</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is none like you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all heaven and earth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are a wonderful and majestic God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing can defeat you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing is above your great wisdom</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not one soul can match up to you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You give answers to all difficult problems</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the alpha and omega.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the great I am.</div>
Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-14300653245697986222014-06-06T08:00:00.000+03:002014-06-06T08:00:02.386+03:00Listen to the Voice of God in the StormThe storm makes my heart beat wildly.<br />
Listen all of you to the voice of God,<br />
To the thunder that comes from His mouth.<br />
He sends the lightning accross the sky,<br />
From one end of the earth to the other.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5d1Onaw9VDTQ9Z1it5TpcVkbJ79pX5h0g4LoZ8M6Ib9C7g3-r5R9Q6hzX0S7buN2JMIHptrngvCJSKRx3tkSycvLTQ34S5TAWLkEOMaJusHs5AF6fHSyU2_amtK1EH_WzB8HI6fgGG0/s1600/L.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5d1Onaw9VDTQ9Z1it5TpcVkbJ79pX5h0g4LoZ8M6Ib9C7g3-r5R9Q6hzX0S7buN2JMIHptrngvCJSKRx3tkSycvLTQ34S5TAWLkEOMaJusHs5AF6fHSyU2_amtK1EH_WzB8HI6fgGG0/s1600/L.png" height="320" width="158" /></a><br />
Then the roar of His voice is heard,<br />
The majestic sound of thunder, <br />
And all the while the lightning flashes.<br />
<br />
At God's command amazing things happen,<br />
Wonderful things that we can't understand.<br />
He commands snow to fall on the earth,<br />
And sends toreents of drenching rain.<br />
<br />
He brings our work to a stop,<br />
He shows us what He can do.<br />
The wild animals go their dens.<br />
The storm winds come from the south,<br />
And the biting cold from the north.<br />
<br />
The breadth of God freezes the waters,<br />
And turns them to solid ice.<br />
Lightning flashes from the clouds,<br />
As they move at God's will.<br />
They all do what God commands,<br />
Everywhere throughout the world.<br />
<br />
God sends rain to water the earth,<br />
He may send it to punish us,<br />
Or to show us His favour.<br />
<br />
Job 37:1-13Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-14684710386345302102014-05-30T08:00:00.000+03:002014-05-30T09:58:25.735+03:00A Prayer of Thanksgiving<img alt="Illustration Praying Angel Free Stock Photography" class="dt-photo" src="http://freethumbs.dreamstime.com/20/big/free_208817.jpg" height="350" id="dt-foto" title="Illustration Praying Angel Free Stock Photography" width="277" /><br />
I thank you Lord with all my heart,<br />
I sing praise to you before the gods.<br />
I face your holy temple,<br />
Bow down and praise your name,<br />
Because of your constant love and faithfulness,<br />
Because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.<br />
<br />
You answered me when I called to you,<br />
With your strength you strengthened me.<br />
Even though you are so high above,<br />
You care for the lowly,<br />
And the proud cannot hide from you.<br />
<br />
When I am sorrounded by troubles,<br />
You keep me safe.<br />
You oppose my angry enemies <br />
And save me by your power.<br />
<br />
You will do everything you have promised,<br />
Lord, your love is eternal.<br />
Complete the work that you have begun.<br />
<br />
Psalms 138Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-3957325214732640382014-05-27T15:17:00.000+03:002014-05-27T15:17:00.479+03:00Verse of the Week # 1 - Planning with God"Those who try to hide their plans from the Lord are doomed! "<br />
Isaiah 29:15<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Woman Stock Image" class="dt-photo" height="199" id="dt-foto" src="http://freethumbs.dreamstime.com/18/big/free_182251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Woman Stock Image" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Dreamstime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
God is the creator of the universe and the one who directs our lives. He knows all our desires and the things we wish to do. He knows every one of us from the inside out and we cannot hide anything from Him.<br />
<br />
We should always include God in our plans and seek His guidance. Only He can give us the wisdom to make the right decisions. When we do this we are professing God as the majestic and all-powerful creator of the universe. It is a sign of our love and respect for Him.<br />
<br />
God requries us to put Him first place in all our decisions. He wants us to seek Him every day and He promises to guide us in the right path. It is only in doing so that we find true happiness and joy in all that we do.<br />
<br />
Therefore, let us learn to pray to God whenever we need to make a decision. Let us seek His approval and blessings before we put into action any plans we have made. Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-32945924881819477562014-05-15T22:04:00.000+03:002014-05-27T15:24:21.677+03:00The Love of Wealth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pile Of Money Free Stock Images" class="dt-photo" src="http://freethumbs.dreamstime.com/19/big/free_198179.jpg" height="225" id="dt-foto" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pile Of Money Free Stock Images" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Dreamstime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In today's materially focused world, many people want to have everything. They want to be rich, to have the latest car, to live in a huge classy house and many other things.<br />
<br />
People work hard day and night just to be able to get all these things. This ends up draining them and causing sleepless nights. They worry all the time about new projects to take up and the progress of the ones they are doing.<br />
<br />
The book of Ecclesiastes 5:10,12 talks says.<br />
<i>"If you love money, you will never be satisfied. If you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless...Workers may or may not have enough to eat, but at least they can get a good night's sleep. The rich, however, have so much that they stay awake worrying."</i><br />
<br />
This does not mean that being rich is bad or a sin. Rather, God requires us to be satisfied with what we have and not complain all the time about what we are lacking. He wants us to appreciate what He has given us and use it to glory His holy name.<br />
<br />
<i>"It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else." </i>Ecclesiastes 6:9b<br />
<br />
Everyone should know that no one will leave this world carrying anything with him. Everything in the world belongs to the Father. He is at liberty to give it to us whenever He pleases and He can demand the same from us anytime.<br />
<br />
<i>"We leave this world just as we entered it-with nothing. In spite of all our work there is nothing we can take with us....We go just as we came." </i>Ecclesiastes 5:15,16<br />
<br />
However, if God blesses us with wealth, then we should be thankful and enjoy it since it is a gift from Him. We should not just eat and drink alone but should share with our brothers and sisters who have nothing. This way we make God happy and He will continue to bless us. <br />
<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-44786142165222977012014-04-03T12:15:00.000+03:002014-04-03T12:15:18.258+03:00Meditating Daily on the Law of the LordBlessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,<br />
Nor stands in the path of sinners,<br />
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful.<br />
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,<br />
And in His law he meditates day & night.<br />
<br />
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,<br />
That brings forth its fruit in its season,<br />
Whose leaf also shall not wither,<br />
And whatever he does shall prosper.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-81013126380793642912014-03-25T16:00:00.000+03:002014-03-25T16:00:15.203+03:00The 30-30 Challenge<img alt="Country Path Stock Photo" class="dt-photo" src="http://freethumbs.dreamstime.com/24/big/free_246410.jpg" height="225" id="dt-foto" itemprop="image" title="Country Path Stock Photo" width="300" /><br />
Roaming around the internet, I came across Joyce Meyer's website and one thing caught my mind: the 30-30 challenge. It is a challenge to study and meditate on the word of God for thirty minutes every day for the next thirty days.<br />
<br />
I decided to go with the challenge and study God's word everyday morning before doing anything else. My intention is to increase my faith by the help of the Holy Spirit and get to have a more fulfilling personal relationship with God.<br />
<br />
I realise that I haven't been the most faithful Christian to God's word and this has been worrying me. For this reason I accepted the challenge and starting today, 25<span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span> March 2014, I will meditate on God's words and listen to Him. <br />
<br />
My wish is to live a more meaningful life serving Almighty God, the creator of the universe, in the best way possible. I have a few resolutions I have made that I intend to follow through. My 30-30 challenge starts this day and I pray that God guides me through.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-25233523075409241972013-09-28T20:11:00.000+03:002013-09-28T20:11:28.157+03:00Verse to Young PeopleDon't let anything worry you or cause you pain. You aren't going to be young very long.<br />
Ecclesiastes 11:10Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-55150083796334896962013-07-08T21:12:00.000+03:002013-07-11T02:54:17.144+03:00Verse of the Week<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">If we
say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in
us. But if we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do
what is right. He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our
wrongdoing.- 1 John 8,9</span>Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-77076060413451117902013-03-30T12:48:00.001+03:002013-04-04T16:20:59.335+03:00Psalm of the WeekThose who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,<br />
Which can never be shaken,<br />
never be moved.<br />
<br />
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,<br />
So the Lord surrounds His people now and forever.<br />
<br />
The wicked will not always rule over the land of the righteous;<br />
If they did, the righteous themselves might do evil.<br />
Psalm 125:1-3Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-12245259768830788752013-03-30T12:41:00.000+03:002013-03-30T12:41:53.633+03:00Jesus' Teaching on The Lord's PrayerIn the book of Mathew, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. He warned them against behaving like the hypocrites who love praying in open places and saying long prayers so that people would see them. He told them that saying long prayers like the pagans is not necessarily because God, our Heavenly Father already knows what we are going to pray or ask for even before we start praying.<br />
<br />
This way Jesus taught his disciples to be humble in their prayers. There is no need for one to let everybody know that he is praying and attract attention. A simple prayer, like the Lord's Prayer that he taught them was enough.<br />
<br />
The Lord's Prayer is very complete and exhaustive on its own. It gives praise to God, the Creator of the universe as well as offering thanksgiving for all His providence. It is a prayer that Christians should try to pray often in addition to any other requests they may have.<br />
<br />
" Our Father who art in Heaven,<br />
Hallowed be thy name,<br />
Thy kingdom come,<br />
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.<br />
Give us this day our daily bread,<br />
And forgive us our trespasses,<br />
As we forgive those who trespass against us.<br />
And lead us not into temptation,<br />
But deliver us from evil.<br />
Amen."<br />
<br />
Notice that the Lord's Prayer also emphasizes on God forgiving us our sins, in the same way that we forgive those who offend us. If you say the Lord's Prayer, you must be ready to forgive others. God always forgives us our sins and so we must also be willing to forgive others. If we do not forgive them then our Heavenly Father will not forgive us either.<br />
<br />
This aspect was also very well stated in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. It is the story of the servant who owed the King a lot of money and was unable to repay him. When the time came for him to repay the loan, he was brought before the King. Because he did not have the money to pay back, he asked the King for more time to get the money otherwise both he and his wife and children would have been sold as slaves until they paid the entire amount owed to the King.<br />
<br />
The King felt sorry for him and forgive him the entire amount owed. He let him go. However, the servant went out and on meeting another servant who owed him some money, he harassed him and demanded to have his money paid back despite his fellow servant asking for mercy. He refused and had him thrown into jail till he repaid his debt.<br />
<br />
When the King found out what had happened, he was very upset and had the first servant arrested and jailed because he failed to forgive hos fellow servant yet he had been forgiven for his much bigger debt.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-71994929394035990922013-03-24T19:20:00.000+03:002013-04-04T16:21:46.200+03:00Psalm of the Week- A Prayer for ThanksgivingI praise you Lord, because you have saved me<br />
And kept my enemies from gloating over me<br />
<br />
I cried to you for help, O Lord my God,<br />
And you healed me,<br />
You kept me from the grave.<br />
I was on my way to the depths below,<br />
But you restored my life.<br />
<br />
Sing praise to the Lord,<br />
All His faithful people<br />
Remember what the holy one has done,<br />
And give Him thanks!<br />
His anger lasts only a moment,<br />
His goodness for a lifetime.<br />
Tears may flow in the night,<br />
But joy comes in the morning.<br />
<br />
Psalm 30: 1-5Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-77503397550270093522013-03-24T18:55:00.001+03:002013-04-04T16:39:13.352+03:00Scripture of the WeekYou have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on His throne at the right-hand side of God. Kepp your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your real life is Christ and when He appears, then you too will appear with Him and share His glory.<br />
Colossians 3:1-4<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-14880837664200504492013-02-27T22:31:00.000+03:002013-03-24T19:08:14.254+03:00Forbidden Sexual PracticesSexual immorality has been at an all-time high in the society today. Many people engage in disgusting sexual practices that are very offensive to God. Whether they not it and continue in immorality out of ignorance or not, God has always made it known to His people through prophets and other religious leaders that it is wrong.<br />
<br />
No one is excluded from the laws of sexual immorality as stated in the scriptures. We all have a duty and obligation to adhere to them and teach others to do the same. We are answerable to our brothers in one way or another. We have all been tasked by God to correct our brothers and sisters who go astray and help bring them back to our heavenly Father. <br />
<br />
After the Israelites left Egypt, Moses was given many rules and instructions to give to the people. They had to follow them and do everything to please God. They were given the Ten Commandments to govern and help them in their daily lives. They were also given other laws for living and relating to one another. They were commanded on what to eat and what not to eat. Many are the times that the Israelites sinned against God by failing to keep the laws. God, as He always does to date, forgave them very many times whenever they repented and asked for forgiveness.<br />
<br />
In the book of Leviticus, the Lord gave the people the following summarized instructions concerning forbidden sexual practices:<br />
Leviticus 18:1-23<br />
<br />
<b>1</b>.<b> Do not have any sexual relations with any of your relatives. </b><br />
This regulation warns against sexual relations with one's<br />
a) Mother<br />
b) Father's wives<br />
c) Sister or step-sister<br />
d) Granddaughter<br />
e) Half-sister<br />
f) Aunt<br />
g) Daughter-in-law<br />
h) Brother's wife<br />
i) Wife's sister as long as the wife is still alive<br />
<br />
<b>2</b>. <b>Do not have sexual relations with a woman, her daughter or granddaughter. </b>This is the same as incest.<br />
<b>3. Do not have intercourse with a woman during her monthly period. </b>Such a woman is ritually unclean.<br />
<b>4. Do not have sexual relations with another man's wife. </b>This is adultery and will make one ritually unclean.<br />
<b>5. Do not have sexual relations with an animal. </b><br />
<b>6. Do not have sexual relations with another man. NO MAN SHOULD HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH ANOTHER MAN; GOD HATES THAT. Homosexuality in NOT allowed. It is a SIN. </b><br />
<b> Homosexuality was the very reason why the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed during the time of Abraham. </b><br />
<br />
Genesis 18:20<br />
Then the LORD said to Abraham, "There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great."<br />
<br />
Genesis 18:32<br />
Abraham said, "Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak just once more. What if only ten are found?"<br />
He (the LORD) said, "I will not destroy it if there are ten."<br />
<br />
The Lord spared Abraham's nephew Lot. He and his family were helped to escape the destruction by the two angels sent by God. He and his family were the only innocent people in the cities.<br />
<br />
All the above practices were forbidden by God and all His people are expected to follow them. There must not be any excuse whatsoever to exclude anyone from obeying them. Anyone who wants to please God and have a good relationship with the Lord MUST listen to His commands.<br />
<br />
Leviticus 18: 29 says,<br />
"You know that whoever does any of these disgusting things will no longer be considered one of God's people."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-1885001950515247572012-12-03T10:06:00.000+03:002013-04-04T16:37:24.749+03:00Scripture of the WeekLet us thank the Lord who has not let our enemies destroy us.<br />
We have escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap; the trap is broken and we are free.<br />
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.<br />
Psalms 124:6-8Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-74294695802901055122012-03-19T09:53:00.002+03:002013-04-04T16:38:18.300+03:00Scripture of the WeekAnd whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.<br />
<br />
Colossians 3:17<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-27467798675605891722012-03-13T17:01:00.003+03:002012-03-13T17:01:56.238+03:00King NebuchadnezzarAt the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward
heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I
honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal
dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the
peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with
the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back
his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"<br />
<br />
Daniel 4:34-35<br />
King Nebuchadnezzar had been driven out of his palace and sent to live, eat and sleep with the wild animals in the open. He was advised to stop sinning and do what was right. After being sent away, his hair and nails grew very long like the eagles'. After this period of seven years, he was restored and made King again. He praised God and acknowledged that He was the Supreme God over all the earth.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-13711770566622805452012-03-12T16:43:00.002+03:002012-03-12T16:43:26.741+03:00Today's Bible verseHebrews 12:3,16<br />
..do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.<br />
Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-9034404360390423802012-03-07T10:29:00.001+03:002012-03-07T10:29:54.838+03:00Scripture of the Day<u>Faith</u><br />
Hebrews 11:1-3<br />
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.<br />
It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.<br />
It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-62154629984995412442012-03-06T16:36:00.002+03:002012-03-06T16:36:53.184+03:00How to ForgiveForgiving others is not the easiest of things to do. I personally take some time before I can completely forget what the person did to me. What eventually makes me forgive is knowing that failing to forgive others may make God not forgive me for my many shortcomings, as Jesus taught using the parable of the Unforgiving servant who was forgiven by his master for the many debts he owed him, but when he left, met his fellow servant and had him locked up until he had paid all the debt.<br />
When the master found out what the unforgiving servant had done, he was upset and went ahead to have him locked up for failing to forgive his fellow employee. "That is how my father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." We are all sinners and no one is more special than the other.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are some ideas on how to forgive though I don't remember where I read them. I had saved them in my computer and just remembered them today. I hope they shall be of help to you.<br />
<br />
<u>How to Forgive</u><br />
Author unkown(Can't remember)<br />
<br />
Would you like to become more successful at forgiving others? These are practical steps that must be taken:
<br />
<br />1. Decide – You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like
it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts
to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a quality decision to forgive,
and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time (see Matthew
6:12,14).
<br />
<br />2. Depend – You cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit.
It’s too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will
enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help. In
John 20:22,23 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the
Holy Spirit!” His next instruction was about forgiving people. Ask God
to breathe the Holy Spirit on you so you can forgive those who’ve hurt
you.
<br />
<br />3. Obey – The Word tells us several things we’re to do concerning forgiving our enemies:
<br />
<br />a. Pray for your enemies and those who abuse and misuse you. Pray
for their happiness and welfare (see Luke 6:27,28). As you pray, God can
give them revelation that will bring them out of deception. They may
not even be aware they hurt you, or maybe they’re aware but are so
self-centered that they don’t care. Either way, they need revelation.
<br />
<br />b. …Bless and do not curse them (Romans 12:14). In the Greek to
bless means "to speak well of" and to curse means "to speak evil of."
You can’t walk in forgiveness and be a gossip. You must stop repeating
the offense. You can’t get over it if you continue to talk about it.
Proverbs 17:9 says that he who covers an offense seeks love.Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-83789633428385560422012-01-24T09:17:00.000+03:002012-01-24T09:17:57.426+03:00A Prayer for HelpOppose those who oppose me, Lord<br />
And fight those who fight against me<br />
Take your shield and armour<br />
And come to my rescue<br />
Lift up your spear and your axe<br />
Against those who pursue me<br />
Promise that you will save me<br />
<br />
May those who try to kill me be defeated and disgraced<br />
May those who plot against me be turned back and confused<br />
May they be like straw blown by the winf<br />
As the angel of the Lord pursues them<br />
May their path be dark and slippery<br />
While the angel of the Lord strikes them down<br />
<br />
Without any reason they laid a trap for me<br />
And dug a deep hole to catch me<br />
But destruction will catch them before they know it<br />
They will be caught in their own trap<br />
And fall to their destruction<br />
<br />
Then I will be glad because of the Lord<br />
I will be happy because He saved me<br />
With all my heart I will say to the Lord<br />
''There is none like you.<br />
You protect the weak from the strong,<br />
The poor from the oppressor''<br />
<br />
--------------------Psalms 35:1-10------------------<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-5614590913016991952012-01-20T14:15:00.000+03:002012-01-20T14:23:23.235+03:00What do you think of the dirty and homeless people you see on the streets? Do you keep a distance when you see them? What opinions do you have of them? Consider that some of them are mentally retarded or 'insane'. Do you think they could ever recover from their situation and become like normal people? Consider this: <br />
<br />
Yesterday at night I was sitting in a bus heading home from work. At a stop before where I alight, a person boards the bus. I'm still not sure whether the person was a man or female; but let's assume she was a woman. She was dirty and smelly. She lingered for some seconds near me and she smelt of human excreta. She brushed herself on my arms so that even my shirt smelt the same. She stood next to my seat facing the front of the bus with her left arm on the seat opposite mine. I think she was afraid of sitting on the clean seats that apparently the 'clean and sane' passengers seat on. I saw fear in her eyes. Her lips were dry and cracked and between the lower & upper lips was some green stuff that looked like dried herbs which I suspect she had been chewing. Maybe it was miraa (khat). <br />
<br />
The driver angrily called out to the conductor sitting next to the door demanding that she throws out the woman. She, the conductor, stood and shouted at the woman to alight but she didn't move. A man standing at the door, but not a conductor, walked over to her and pulled her forward. as she got to the door. He hit her so hard on the back shouting at her to alight. The other passengers exclaimed, but that was it. She stood outside looking at them, perhaps hoping to be told to get back in. But everyone knew that wouldn't happen.<br />
<br />
Although I felt sorrow for her, there wasn't a thing I could do. Yes, she was dirty and smelly, but she's also a human being. Maybe she was no-longer insane.Maybe she had remembered who she was and wanted to go back to her home. But then again, if that was the case, and she happened to live far, she'd have trouble getting there because I don't think any public transport vehicle who'd let her in. She probably didn't have any money with her.<br />
<br />
Imagine how she left. She must have felt pity for herself. She must have felt hopeless. Such a pity.<br />
<br />
But why do we humans do this sort of thing? Is it because of the fear of being robed?<br />
Would it be wrong to show some little kindness? Would it not have been good to let the poor woman get to her destination, even if just standing, but tell the passengers to be careful with their bags?<br />
Or I'm I being unrealistic?<br />
<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-57033728013225981762012-01-18T10:24:00.001+03:002012-01-18T10:24:42.854+03:00Our Obedience to God<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How often do you go against God by failing to follow his commands
and teachings? Have you ever asked for forgiveness? If so, do you live a good
Christian life free from immorality after confession or do you continue to live
a non-Christian life?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God gave us the gift of life and wants us to obey and love
Him. He requires us to keep His laws and refrain from all evil so that we can
have a good relationship with Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lev
20:7-8 </u></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ Keep yourselves
holy, because I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws, because I am the Lord and I
make you holy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God promises to bless and protect us if we live according to
His laws. He is the only one to be worshipped and must always come first place
in our lives. We should not put idols such as money, pleasure, wealth and fame
before Him. He is a majestic and jealous God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Lev
26:3-12</u></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Deut 7:12-26, 28:1-14</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God promises to provide us with enough to eat and drink. He
will bless the work of our hands and we shall not be at a loss of anything. He
will be our guide and keep us safe from all our enemies. The Lord will make us
His own people and all other nations of the earth will see that we have a
mighty and loving God. We shall prosper and never fail if we obey His commands
faithfully.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Lev
26:14-45</u></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u> Deut 28:15-35, 38-42</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
However,
if we disobey Him, God will punish us and we’d lose the blessings we had
received. Anything we try to do will not succeed. Our farms will not produce enough
food and we shall have to beg. Our enemies will gloat over us and be happy at
our misery. We will have many troubles and no one to turn to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any business we set up will not make it. He
will curse everything we do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Gen
2:15-17, 3:6-7</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disobedience can lead to the loss of good things that God
has promises us.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
At
the beginning of creation, God forbid Adam and Eve from eating the fruit in the
middle of the garden that gave knowledge of what was right and wrong but they
disobeyed Him. God was angry and punished them. They had to till the land to
produce food for their consumption yet they would have had all the food they
needed in the garden if they had been obedient.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>1 Sam
15:2-3, 7-9, 22-23, 24-26</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we disobey God’s commands, He rejects us and gives our
blessings to someone else. This was the case with King Saul. He had been commanded
by God to go attack the Amalekites for having opposed the Israelites and kill
all men, women, children and animals. He attacked with his army but he
disobeyed God by bringing back King Agag and some sheep and cattle to offer as
sacrifices to God. God was angry and rejected him as king of Israel. Samuel
told him it was better to obey God than offer Him sacrifices.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
King Saul was also afraid of his army and did what they
wanted- carrying the best sheep and cattle. His fear had led him to disobey
God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Acts
5:29</u></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -40.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Peter and the other apostles replied, “We
must obey God, not men.”’</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u>Math 10:28</u></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
God
is our creator and we must obey Him above all men.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Jesus
Christ taught that we should not be afraid of those who only kill the body but
cannot kill the soul; rather we should be afraid of God, who can destroy both
the body and soul. He is supreme. We should live to please Him.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>1 Thes
4:1-8</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“….you should live to please God…God wants you to be holy
and completely free from sexual immorality….no man should do wrong to his
fellow Christian or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish those who do
that. God did not call us to live in immorality but in holiness. So whoever
rejects this teaching is not rejecting a human being, but God.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>John
14:15-24</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
“If
you love me, you will obey my commands. I will ask the Father, and he will give
you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the spirit who
reveals the truth about God. Those who accept my commands are the ones who love
me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal
myself to them. “</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we realize that we have sinned, we should confess and
ask the Lord for forgiveness. God is always happy when His children repent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Luke
15: 1-7, 8-10, 11-32</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ …there will be joy in heaven when one sinner repents….”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Eph
2:4,5 </u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
“But
God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were
spiritually dead in our disobedience He brought us to life with Christ. It is
by God’s grace that you have been saved.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We should therefore strive to live a good Christian life
obeying God. Whenever we fail in our values, we should pray asking for forgiveness
and we shall be put right with Him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Deut
30:2, 9,10</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you and your descendants will turn back to the Lord and
with all your heart obey His commands…the Lord will make you prosperous in all
that you do; you will have many children and a lot of livestock, and your
fields will produce abundant crops. He will be glad to make you prosperous…”</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Philippians
2:12-15</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
“……so
then my brothers and sisters, ……keep on working with fear and trembling to
complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you
willing and able to obey His own purpose.”</div>Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998002148494358363.post-54663419762509929662012-01-17T16:09:00.000+03:002012-01-17T16:09:35.940+03:00I Long for You my GodO God, you are my God, and I long for you<br />
My whole being desires you,<br />
Like a dry, worn-out and waterless land<br />
My soul is thirsty for you.<br />
<br />
Let me see you in the sanctuary<br />
Let me see how mighty and glorious you are.<br />
Your constant love is better than life itself<br />
And so I will praise you.<br />
<br />
I will give you thanks as long as I live<br />
I will raise my hands to you in prayer<br />
My soul will feast and be satisfied<br />
And I will sing glad songs of praise to you.<br />
<br />
As I lie in bed, I remember you<br />
All night long I think of you<br />
Because you have always been my help<br />
In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy<br />
I cling to you, and your hands keep me safe<br />
<br />
--------Psalms 63-------<br />
<br />Mutonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915074065684712218noreply@blogger.com0